I'm exhausted, but just couldn't go to sleep tonight without writing something...
At the end of each school year, like many teachers, I always give my students a book to send them off reading for the summer. As I've marveled in watching my now 4 year old son learn to read in part by simply devouring the world, I thought, why not spread a sense of his wonder? Below, is what came out. I envision teachers giving students a book and a copy of the poem, telling them the greatest wish they have for them this summer is simply to read...
It's very late, but I'll work on a printable teachers can use and post it for download soon. Have a great night...what did you read this eve? :)
At the end of each school year, like many teachers, I always give my students a book to send them off reading for the summer. As I've marveled in watching my now 4 year old son learn to read in part by simply devouring the world, I thought, why not spread a sense of his wonder? Below, is what came out. I envision teachers giving students a book and a copy of the poem, telling them the greatest wish they have for them this summer is simply to read...
Simply Read
Read like the wind.
Read everything you see.
Read boxes and bags
blocks and
socks
The names of cars
foods in jars
cereal boxes
calendars
bins
prices in aisles
labels on tins
or even people's skins…
Read thermometers
magazines
newspapers
scales
whatever it is that arrives in the mail
Read door signs
street signs
signs on stores
read where no reader has read before.
Reading’s all around you
all you need do is look
grow what you know about the world
and, yes, of course,
READ BOOKS!
-Janiel Wagstaff, 2012
It's very late, but I'll work on a printable teachers can use and post it for download soon. Have a great night...what did you read this eve? :)
Font for the poem is KG Ray of Sunshine. I'll use the same on the printable I produce. :)
ReplyDeleteReally wonderful, Janiel. I too used to give a book to each of my students, and loved choosing one just for them. Thanks for this!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Linda. Am paying for the late night already this morning (headache), but, it was worth it!
ReplyDeleteHappy Friday to you there in Colorado--sunny morning here in UT!
Wow, the article is impressive.
ReplyDelete