January 29, 2009
Mr. Rod Gilbert

Reading RoundUp Rodeo started today! The students took part in an assembly in the gym, kicking off another season of reading. 

Why do we promote reading good books at Regents?  There are many ways to answer this question.  I will focus on one particular reason.

Great stories ignite a reader's imagination.  It is through stories and discussion with parents that children learn some of the most important lessons in life. It is one thing to say "Go be a courageous young man," or "Be chaste."  It is another thing for your child to enjoy reading a story about a courageous hero or a chaste young woman.  They get to "experience" life vicariously through the journey of a character.  And, while reading the book, the child is not thinking "Hey, I am learning about virtue."  Rather, they are thinking "I love this book!"

Obviously, many life lessons are learned through direct experiential events.  That is true.  We often deal with students who learn hard lessons because they "did" something that they should not have.  Those are lessons remembered as well.  Books are simply safer and less evasive.

Ah, but the journey of a story inspires moral fortitude.  A great plot lets the reader fly on a magic carpet, or sail the high seas, or swim with the mermaids, or sneak way in the dead of night.  It is in these safe adventures that children find inspiration.

So, cheers to all the parents and teachers who have prepared our school for this year's Reading RoundUp!!