SONG LYRICS From learning our ABCs to celebrating the school ’ s identity , we use music to anchor words and meaning . Picture books of famous songs where the song lyrics make up the text are increasingly popular . Some of these include Henry Mancini ’ s Moon River , Pharrell Williams ’ Happy , and the series LyricPop , which includes picture books of Sittin ’ on the Dock of the Bay , the 59th Street Bridge Song ( feelin ’ groovy ), R-E-S-P-E-C-T , Dream Weaver , We Got the Beat , and These Boots Were Made for Walking .
WRITING Just as Jason Reynolds pointed out , sometimes writing is the way into reading . The ability to link sounds together to construct words is reinforced when students read and write the same words . Furthermore , writing instruction improves reading comprehension , and the teaching of writing skills , such as grammar and spelling lessons , reinforces reading skills . 13 Writing their own stories also stimulates the imagination . Once boys make up a story on their own , we can suggest books that have similar themes and interests .
THE LIBRARY I ’ m always amazed when I ask students if they visit the local public libraries in their neighborhoods and so many do not . This golden opportunity should not be wasted . Bringing children to the library at as early an age as possible instills in them the value of books and reading . In addition to weekly story times , there are often other classes held in many libraries like Toddler Yoga that might be fun and pique their interests - anything to get them into the building . The little ones usually feel very special having their own library card and getting to select many more books than they are able to check out at school . And best of all , it ’ s free . Your tax dollars at work . Additional tactics to awaken dormant readers include :
• Attend events to meet local authors . 14
• Try not to push too hard ( so they don ’ t push back ). 15
• Occasionally , let them stay up past their bedtime to read . 16
• Encourage them to keep a reading journal ( this helps with writing as well ). 17
• Find material that is at the right reading level . 18
• Give them a special allowance for books . 19
• Have them try reading on a tablet . 20
• For older reluctant or dormant readers , turn the sound off the television and turn on the closed captioning . 21
• Read in front of them . Be a reading role model . 22
• Make a dedicated reading space . 23
• Read funny things . 24
• Read anything anywhere : menus , road signs , marquees , building names , etc . 25
• Read regularly . 26
13 The Reading and Writing Connection , Landmark Outreach , November 15,2018 , < https :// www . landmarkoutreach . org > 14 Understanding Reluctant Readers and How to Support Them by Meredith Cicerchia , < https :// www . readandspell . com / us / reluctant-readers > 15- 22 Ibid . 23 Eight Ways to Encourage Reading at Home , British Council , Malaysia < https :// www . britishcouncil . my / english / courses-children / resources / encourage-reading-at-home > 24-26 Ibid .
16 • Saint David ’ s Magazine