Reading vs TV

In March, 2007 I put up a new page:

http://www.tvsmarter.com/documents/reading.html

which is also the new homepage www.tvsmarter.com

The inspiration for this page is the book

“The Power of Reading, Second Edition: Insights
from the Research (2004)”  by Stephen Krashen

I just finished reading this book in January, and
it absolutely blew me away. I had no idea reading
for pleasure was so beneficial.

We know that learning to speak is instinctual for
children, that as long as the adults around them
talk to them, that language will come naturally.

Reading, on the other hand, is not quite so
natural. Children need to be taught the mechanics
of sounding out words, and helped along as they
learn the basics. But, according to Dr. Krashen’s
book, once these basics are mastered, becoming
a good reader is also instinctual and natural
as long as certain conditions are met.

These conditions are:

- books (or other print material) are
plentiful and skill-appropriate (not too hard
and not too easy)

- books and reading are loved and held in high
regard

Unfortunately, over the years, watching TV and
playing video games have replaced reading for
pleasure as a prime pass-time in the United States.
The result is that while more and more people
are learning to read (99% literacy rate), fewer
and fewer are learning to read well.

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/16/education/16literacy.html?ex=1292389200&en=0e36586fe81ccdb3&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss

So, check out “Reading vs TV” and let me know
what you think.

My announcement also at the White Dot Forum:

http://www.mfbb.net/whitedotboard/viewtopic.php?t=321&mforum=whitedotboard