Are you familiar with these?
It's a 200 page graphic novel about, well, Pokémon adventures. As far as I can tell, about a zillion have been published. My eight-year-old daughter devours them. Unfortunately, she is not allowed to read them during her independent reading time at school. They are not "true literature."
Excuse me?
As a nation, our education system is struggling. As a state, we are cutting school budgets like crazy. As a parent, I am bombarded with information from all sides that reading. is. fundamental. So, if I drag my sorry self all the way across town to the library to check out the Pokémon books ("high interest reading material," in professional jargon) that my child will (without me nagging!) bury her nose in for hours at a time, damn it, it's true enough literature for third grade.
Look, I'm not trying to pass these books off as War and Peace. And, I'm not even arguing that she should be able to use them for her monthly book assignments (those are assigned topics anyway). But, for her independent free choice reading? Lighten, up teacher! At least, she is reading.
35 comments:
I'm young enough to had been in school when Pokemon first started. I remember them banning Pokemon cards, but we brought it anything else that was Pokerelated. I used to read video game magazines all the time in class. I agree with you there, teachers be crazy.
My son was really into Pokemon when he was young. He love Pokemon, especially the cards. It seems like some teachers only take their personal opinions and "likes" into mind as far as reading material.
That is just stupid, you want kids to read, let them read something they like. The teacher needs a good whack upside the head. I never read the books, but I "hides head in shame" have a few dvds in my collection and still play the games..haha
Some children... Hate reading.
So, if that was the only thing they would read... I do not see a problem.
They would gain a LOVE for reading, and then move on to "real literature".
It's unbelievable.
Schools and their INSANE rules.
Plus, it's her INDEPENDENT reading. Free-time reading in other words... NO?
I like Pokemon about as much as I like having nails pounded through my skull. But I do remember teachers trying (key word "trying") to force me to read books I wasn't ready for, when I would gladly have consumed any sci fi pulp novel or animal story I could get my hands on. In fourth grade, we were supposed to read Pearl Buck's "The Good Earth" and spent about a century on it. Like I gave a rat's butt. All it did was to give me a lifetime negative bias against all things Asian. Like Pokemon!
PS--I wanted a review!
Back in the day when I fought the good fight is was RL Stine's Goosebumps that were considered inappropriate for independent readings. I have never understood teachers. In fact, I've never met a teacher I like.
Amen Sistah!!!
my son is into pokemon right now...i dont have a problem with it....my wife hates it...that teacher sounds a lot like my sons teacher...she needs to be retired...you know my son said he wanted to give her a plant for xmas...we thought that was cool until he said poison ivy...
I feel the same about graphic books my son used to read - Initial D - age-appropriate, male-centric stories about racing. He was reading, without being nagged. I was thrilled.
Oh, I do agree! I encouraged my kids to read all kinds of stuff just to get them to read, which they did! And I was also a teacher! I'd probably have a hard time holding a job as one today???? Things were different "way back then" though!
Sylvia
My girls were both readers, but not my son. Still...he loved stuff like this and many of the video games he played had a great deal of text that accompanied them. I counted it ALL as reading. Kids aren't all interested in the same stuff and I think they should get to read whatever captures their attention.
If she's really into this, be prepared. My son can STILL quote Pokemon trivia and facts and he's now in his 20s!
I have a friend who is a teacher, he lets children read comic books during reading time. There are many children who struggle in the classroom with reading, comics help them to feel included and the pictures, a great asset for the story line.
I agree with you. Everthing they like to read is good. My grandkids used to love them too. :)
As long as she's reading something I think that's all that matters. It's encouraging a child to enjoy books that's important, and as she grows older she can become more selective, and even then, does it really matter? There's room for both trashy and intellectual isn't there?
As a former reading specialist, I couldn't agree with you more! Independent reading means just that...if parents are okay with it, it qualifies! Kids should be encouraged to enjoy reading whatever their little hearts desire!
I can totally relate. My daughter struggled with reading (when I say 'struggled', I mean freakin' floundered, flailed, fractured, fragmented and failed) until the very end of fifth grade.
Of all things, it was the Twilight series that unlocked her desire to learn to read. In the middle of one of the most beautiful national parks, on the banks of a powerful river miles from anywhere... when I would have rather stabbed myself in the eye than hear one more work about Edward and Bella... she was reading. And telling me about it. And excited.
I bought her the rest of the books in the series.
It's not about me, it's about HER. That teacher would do well to buy a clue.
Yes, SHE's READING. And she likes it. Back off, teacher.
You know, I am constantly amazed by how little they actually do 'teach' the kids these days. Chloe and I chat about this and that which I would think any kid being taught history would know and her ignorance about so many things that they are NOT being taught leaves me horrified. As for her English, I am amazed she can write essays with the words 'Oh Crap' in it, and OMG and LOL as part of the written English language and not have it rejected.
Call me old fashioned but, I think the likes of OMG and LOL are okay on the internet and cell phones as shorthand but, for English at school, I don't think so. And, as far as your daughter's reading goes, she's reading, what is their problem!
I agree wholeheartedly - reading ANYTHING is good!
Hear Hear Mamma Z!!
No kiddin. My son was very much into Pokemon and he read all the lit too.
When my Mom landed in the hospital end of June , we couldn't get her out till the end of October.Then we had to get her things together to travel to BC so it was almost end of Nov before my son could get back into his own school and he really missed it. But he stayed with me in the hospital, we read a lot, wrote a lot, did a lot of math and in a few months he stayed with me, he learned enough to last him for three years.When the teachers panicked that they would have too much work to get him up to date, I gave them his work books and they beamed.So relax with your daughter. Take her to the library and let her choose her own books.They say kids who are home schooled learn much more in less time. Gives you something to think about as to why they can't do the same in normal schools.
You're right, they're wrong!
There's a lot of snobbery about these books, but reading is reading.
Her teachers should check out the book "The Book Whisperer." We have to get kids where they are and RESPECT that. It all grows from there.
Hey M.Z, keep it up. You are right, at least she IS reading! Things CAN change but maybe they won't.
I remember reading Zane Grey stuff in school. I would hide it inside my regular assigned reading material.
Thank you for dropping in and leaving your nice comment.
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Word!
I grew up loving to read. More often then not you'd could see me toting a novel around school, reading whenever I got a free moment. It's something that I'll be making my kid do when he gets older. Reading keeps the brain in gear, encourages critical thinking, and inspires the imagination.
I agree! Interest is essential when it comes to reading! My son doesn't like it either and sometimes comes home from school with the dullest books - so I don't blame him.
Plenty of time to read fine literature when they're older!
ha ha. This conversation is always happening. My son who is now 19, a wonderful poet and amazingly creative AND can rattle off and discuss in depth tons of classic novels etc, etc,... read GUESS WHAT!!! Pokemon when he was young (he now reads Neil Gaiman, not so much Pokemon ;) so let her read on...
Oh and by the way, I KNOW how to TRULY play the card game... Are you impressed!? :)
Thanks for sharing Joann
Guss this put the work 'independent' in perspective now doesn't it. They're reading, aren't they?
Blogger is giving me fit posting comments with OpenID today!!
I'm not familiar with these books (although as a father I'm familiar with Pokemon), but it seems to me that if you want kids to read, you have to make it fun.
My granddaughter had a fascination with fairy and princess books and spent much of second grade reading them. Eventually she moved on and now reads at a level that far exceeds her 4th grade peers. You are on the right track. Let her read what she enjoys. What really matters is that she is reading.
I didn't know there were comics but I loved the cartoon. But some people don't think it counts as reading, which is silly, since the graphic novels have some really excellent stories (the ones I've read/heard of are too mature for a third grader) and they should count.
Agreement with your points. If it hadn't been for genre work - comic books, noir, horror and science fiction novels - my childhood wouldn't have been nearly as fun as it was, and, honestly, I might well have not made it to adulthood, given all the toxic family members around me - oh, thank goodness for "Christians"! Ha!
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