Television is the Death of Creativity & Books To Help Fix That!
As an English Teacher, I have a natural love of reading. I have always loved reading and could never understand why some one would not read. But, I meet students on a daily basis who claim that they don’t read and that there is no point in reading when most books are made into movies. This kind of thinking is a disgrace. Books cultivate the imagination. They allow people to escape from a world of predictability and routine. They allow us to believe that aliens do exist, that living on Mars is possible, that adventure is simply a page away, and that life does not have to be mundane and boring.
Below are a few of my favorite books for Young Adults:
The Secret Lives of Bees
Sue Monk Kid (2002).
New York: Penguin Putnam, Inc.
In 1964, during segregated South Caroline, young Lily loses her mother, and finds comfort in bee keeping. This novel explores the effects of racism, family secrets, and friendships that cross boundaries. This novel can be used to help explore the historical aspects of segregation and the definition of family and motherhood.
Number the Stars
Lois Lowry (1998).
New York, NY: Bantam Doubleday.
In 1943, during the German occupation of Denmark, ten-year-old Annemarie learns how to be brave and courageous when she helps shelter her Jewish friend from the Nazis. Used with The Diary of Anne Frank and Night, this novel can add more insight into the terrible reign of the Nazis.
Messenger
Lois Lowry. (2004).
New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin.
Messenger is the story of a special young boy who is trying to come to terms with his new powers. He is also trying to prove himself worthy of the name Messenger. This novel is great for read-alouds as the language is poetic and very easy to listen to. It can also be used in a unit on goals, identity, or overcoming obstacles. Set in a Utopian village, The Messenger could serve as a prequel to Lowry’s The Giver, which many students may already be familiar with. If possible, The Giver should be read as a whole class novel, and those students who want to know more should be introduced to The Messenger.
Kristina Brooke is a Mom on the Rise to a rambunctious pre-two-year-old, a wife, a High School English Teacher, and a very crafty lady. She likes reading, playing stinky-feet, telling people about cool/bad buys, and trying to figure out how to raise a well-rounded child. She is also on a mission to lose weight and really needs support.
I know this is going to sound horrible but the point is I didn’t rad the secret life of bee’s however I did see the movie and loved it
Your article was very good, and I almost fully agree with you – almost. It’s true that today’s kids (and a lot of adults) should read more, but I wouldn’t place all the blame on the boob tube. As parents we have to take more of a responsibility, and since I don’t have a little one like you do, and TV has changed a lot over the years, your fear of what’s happening is real and justified. I had a mom who taught me the importance of reading, and I taught my daughter the importance. Your child sounds like s/he has an excellent start.
Head Mommy- that was really funny! LOL. Linda, I totally should have called this article, “Technology is the Death of Imagination”. I remember pretending to be a cop by making siren noises and I remember pretending to be a plane. Now everything is done for us. Television is not at fault because parents do need to take responsibility. I am just sick of TV. LOL