HIT: "WALDO"/LOWREADER CONNECTION -YES!Part 1

["Joanne E. Ladewig" <shatz@LIGHTSIDE.COM>]

Netters:

Wow! What a response the "Waldo/Low Reader connection" got! (I had to post
in three parts!)
At least half of those who responded had also spotted, or suspected, a
connection
between "low" reading ability and the preference of "Waldo" type books.

There is a lot of reading below, but I encourage you to read the
introduction/summary I've written as well as each of the letters that
follow. Perhaps one or more of our members can make some helpful
suggestions for assisting these students. This subject might also be
further explored by our student members who need a research topic.

Several respondents also noted that there seems to be a gender connection
as well - the Waldo audience is most often (but not exclusively) boys.
Along with Waldo, several mentioned "I Spy" or similar very "visual" books,
and drawing books as also appealing to this group
 - most likely due to the lack of reading as well as the appeal to the
"visual" learners. Sports Illustrated magazine was also mentioned.

Three respondents were parents of boys who fit this group. These letters
were each quite interesting! What must also be noted is that while these
three
students have trouble reading, they are NOT below average in intelligence.
To the contrary - they excel in other areas, particularly in things that may
relate to math - that is, in shape recognition, and have an uncanny ability
to "see" things that others miss. They are definitely visually-oriented
learners.

Another respondent noted that these students frequently do better reading
at a computer screen. (Unlike the other letters, this was originally posted
to the whole listserve. I added it into the "Hit" because it was especially
interesting, and also just in case anyone had missed it).

The result of this inquiry poses another question - since this connection
is definitely a repeatedly-observed phenomena, what do we now do with this
information? Can these students be helped in their reading abilities by
trying a different system/technique/approach? What might that approach be?

                          ***   ***   ***
(With thanks to:)Sunnie, Nancy, Susan, Laura, Bonnie, Vicki, Kathy,
Loretta, Karleen,Val, Eileen, Pauline, Joan, Lynn, Shanna, and several
unsigned.(Note: Names are NOT in same order of the letters below, and I
have not included last names, for privacy's sake).

(note: the original post FOLLOWS the letters below, in case you missed it).
***   ***   ***   ***   ***   ***   ***   ***   ***   ***   ***   ***

VERY INTERESTING!  I'm going to have to watch more closely.  "Waldo" and "I
Spy" books seem to be the most popular ones in the library and I do notice
more boys than girls asking for them... but will have to check for good/poor
readers now.  Thanks for the idea.

***
I have noticed a connection too. Even at my private college preparatory
school (although we consider ourselves a "family school")it is the
struggling beginning readers who spend longer amounts of time with these
kinds of books.

***
 I do see the same thing.  Could it be that they are visual learners and love
 being able to do something right in their way?

***
Definitely a connection.  Doesn't take a rocket scientist to understand that
a child who cannot read, and then finds books without words would gravitate
to those books.  I actually used to have kids fighting over Waldo and had to
send him on a permanent vacation!

***
I have about 12 or 15 of these "Waldo-type books". There are Biblical ones,
Carmen Sandiego, Polly Pockets, Find Frosty, 12 Days, etc.  They are so
popular, never on the shelf, always asked for.  And I think you are right.
I will keep an eye on the students who take out.They remind me of the
Richard Scary books, which I never have liked because they are so busy.

***
Yes, I have seen the same thing. Also, I notice that the same students
gravitate over and over to the I Spy books. I think for the same reason.

***
Joanne--Amen!!

I became so frustrated with students and, alas, 3rd grade teachers who
didn't care
how many times Waldo or I Spy was checked out or if their students ever
read a
chapter book.  :-(  And so many upper grade students wanted them that primary
students never had the chance to view them.So, when the books "died" (no
more repairs possible) I trashed them and have never replaced them.
***

I am the media specialists in a K-5 school, 600 students, diverse population
but with our share of the lower socio-economic families.  I have seen an
undeniable pattern in the requests for Where's Waldo and I Spy - almost
exclusively the children who I know are struggling with reading and not just
1st and 2nd grade.  I see the trend all the way through 4th and even some
5th graders.  I have also noted that these requests are mostly from boys.
And like you, I have students who ask for those books each week.  I am torn
between ordering tons more (we did just add four more I Spy books to our
collection) and eliminating them altogether to force those nonreaders to
pick something else.  I hadn't thought about any sort of a clinical
connection, such as with ADD, but do think that nonreaders can be successful
with these books, can share them with friends without being able to read,
and therefore find them desirable.  I'd love to hear what others have to say
about these books!  Thanks for bringing up the subject -- it was one of the
first glaring trends that hit me when I started this position last fall.

THIS CONCLUDES PART ONE. PLEASE CONTINUE WITH PART TWO -very interesting
reading!



Joanne Ladewig
Information Center Director
Fairgrove Academy
(a K-8 public school focusing on the Visual and Performing Arts, and
Technology)
La Puente, CA
jladewig@ns700-1.enet.hlpusd.k12.ca.us     (all lower case)
home email: shatz@lightside.com

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