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Recently, I asked about the impact and availability of Stephen Krashen's work, The Power of Reading, (2nd edition) because the editors of Teacher Librarian had suggested I should refer to it in an article I was writing. Because I was somewhat swamped by people saying that this is a critical text to have, I ordered it from Amazon (which was quicker and cheaper than sourcing it locally, turning down a number of generous offers from people wanting to get it for me because they thought it was so important I should have it.. I now have my copy and have dipped into it to see just what made it so special. Although I haven't read it entirely yet, my interpretation is that the book is based on this premise: Krashen believes that whilst there is no "literacy crisis" as the media and politicians would want us to believe, there is indeed a problem. And that is that there are a lot of US (read UK, Australian, wherever) adults who don't read well enough to cope with the complex literacy demands of modern society. And, he believes, and offers the research to back his claims, that the most effective solution lies in free voluntary reading (FVR). FVR means reading because you want to - graphic novels, teen romances, sports page or literature - with no book reports, no questions, no quizzes, no having to prove you read something or dissect what you read. It means putting a book down if you don't like it and choosing something different. Krashen says all the evidence shows that when children and adults start reading for pleasure reading comprehension, writing style, grammar, spelling and vocabulary all improve, giving them a chance to function properly in today's world. The first step in the cure is to give people to access to books - and he says "It is certainly true that you can lead a horse to water but you cannot make him drink. But first we must make sure that the water is actually there, and if it is, then horses do eventually drink." Well-stocked libraries are at the top of his list of providing the cure, and again, there is research quoted. He then goes on to demonstrate how all facets of literacy can be improved through FVR, backing his claims with the research of others from all over the globe. My question is this .. if Krashen and his work is so widely accepted and respected throughout your schools, as it appears, why are programs such as Accelerated Reader which are based on proving you have read and understood a book through a quiz or other activity, so predominant? Some of you have written about having been asked to arrange your library based on AR; others about having to restrict your purchasing to AR texts. The other day, someone asked about the suitability of the program for a Kindergarten child, because in their school the program was not introduced until Yr 2. It seems to me that Krashen and AR-type programs are mutually exclusive. I realise that those who post to LM_NET are the tip of the iceberg of teacher-librarians and schools in the US but there does seem to be potential for conflict. If you are a Krashen-believer how do you reconcile this if you have to work in an AR school? Are you able to try to persuade the decision-makers to think more without fear of losing your position or do you have to put your beliefs aside in the workplace? Indeed, is it the teacher-librarian's role to be involved in the decisions about reading or are you limited to resourcing the decisions made by others. It's 3.00am here and too hot to sleep tonight and my brain was racing ... Barbara Barbara Braxton Teacher Librarian Palmerston District Primary School PALMERSTON ACT 2913 AUSTRALIA T. 61 2 6205 6162 F. 61 2 6205 7242 E. barbara@iimetro.com.au W. http://www.palmdps.act.edu.au "Together we learn from each other." -------------------------------------------------------------------- Please note: All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law. You can prevent most e-mail filters from deleting LM_NET postings by adding LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU to your e-mail address book. To change your LM_NET status, e-mail to: listserv@listserv.syr.edu In the message write EITHER: 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET 2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL 3) SET LM_NET MAIL 4) SET LM_NET DIGEST * Allow for confirmation. * LM_NET Help & Information: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ * LM_NET Archive: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/archive/ * EL-Announce with LM_NET Select: http://elann.biglist.com/sub/ * LM_NET Supporters: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ven.html --------------------------------------------------------------------