TV Diva
acrylic painting, 30” by 40” / $ 499
How do illiterate people get the news? from internet? bloggers, TV personalities,
news channels, friends? church?. . . . or do they just not bother.
Why Read?
A few years ago National Geographic had an article about Australian aborigines. One man was quoted as saying, “Why read books? When you are hungry, can you eat a book?”
To that I say yes. If you can read you have a better chance of getting a job, earning money and putting food on your plate. Many young people, however, do not subscribe to this view. Streetwise, for instance, tells me that there is no need to read for he can get everything he needs to know off of a YouTube Video. He listens to anyone who has a jazzed up message and is not critical about where it comes from.
His attitude disappoints me. I fear being at the mercy of uneducated voters who, without the facts, make decisions that affect my life. If YouTube is their carrier then critical reasoning skills are needed to wade through a lot of misinformation. Though he is literate, reading does not come easy. Getting information from a news article is not part of Streetwise’s repertoire.
Did you know that 1 in 4 children in America grow up without learning how to
read? 44 million adults are unable to read a simple story to their children.
Those who don’t read proficiently by 3rd of 4th grade are 4 times more likely
to drop out of school.
85% of juvenile’s facing court trials are functionally illiterate.
75% of Americans who receive food stamps perform at the lowest 2 literacy
levels. 50% of adults cannot read a book written at the 8th grade level.
50% of unemployed youth between 16 and 21 are functionally illiterate
The US is the only free market company where the current generation is less
educated than the previous one. We rank 12 out of 20 in literacy among high
income countries.
90% of high school drop outs are on welfare.
Literacy is a learned phenomenon while illiteracy is passed along by parents who do not read or write. But what happens when there is a burgeoning illiterate population? Daily living requires adults to read basic texts, understand legal and financial documents and navigate technology. Those who cannot miss out on job opportunities. If employed they earn about $ 230-45 a week and only work 18-19 weeks a year.
Politicians talk of working wage jobs for all but we are not going to get there if we do not solve illiteracy as a fist step. Elections worry me because their are not level playing fields with knowledgeable voters ready to execute their democratic rights. Instead emotional oratory bravado that says little captures the imagination of the public.
Most of the people who pay attention to my blog are readers. They read to their children when young and grandchildren as they come along. Now I implore you to consider going one step further. Mentor a person who needs extra help.
It is not easy to motivate a reluctant reader and involves developing a relationship that is close and trusting. Helping a slow reader requires flexibility and being in tune with psychological blocks that may have impeded learning in the first place. It takes patience, compassion and persistence.
The exciting result, though, is that once a student experiences success, self-motivation often takes over. Eyes light up, understanding occurs and confidence builds. Mentors find that they receive as much as they give.
Consider volunteering today to turn around a life. There are many organizations throughout the country seeking help. Several in my area include The Portland Literacy Council ( http://portlandliteracy.org) , Portland Community College volunteer tutoring ( http://www.pcc.edu/resources/tutoring/volunteer/), the library and the public schools.
Don’t wait. Did you know that in 2015 Portland ranked # 6 out of large cities in volunteering and # 1 for Millennials? We are a caring community.
Art work is always for sale. Contact me at marilynne@eichingerfineart.com
Please respond below. I would love to hear from you..
____________________________________
For sale on Amazon: The True Story of Streetwise, overcoming homelessness and beating the odds. $2.99
Go to http://AMAZON
Home » Blog » Why Read?
Table of Contents
acrylic painting, 30” by 40” / $ 499
How do illiterate people get the news? from internet? bloggers, TV personalities,
news channels, friends? church?. . . . or do they just not bother.
Why Read?
A few years ago National Geographic had an article about Australian aborigines. One man was quoted as saying, “Why read books? When you are hungry, can you eat a book?”
To that I say yes. If you can read you have a better chance of getting a job, earning money and putting food on your plate. Many young people, however, do not subscribe to this view. Streetwise, for instance, tells me that there is no need to read for he can get everything he needs to know off of a YouTube Video. He listens to anyone who has a jazzed up message and is not critical about where it comes from.
His attitude disappoints me. I fear being at the mercy of uneducated voters who, without the facts, make decisions that affect my life. If YouTube is their carrier then critical reasoning skills are needed to wade through a lot of misinformation. Though he is literate, reading does not come easy. Getting information from a news article is not part of Streetwise’s repertoire.
Did you know that 1 in 4 children in America grow up without learning how to
read? 44 million adults are unable to read a simple story to their children.
Those who don’t read proficiently by 3rd of 4th grade are 4 times more likely
to drop out of school.
85% of juvenile’s facing court trials are functionally illiterate.
75% of Americans who receive food stamps perform at the lowest 2 literacy
levels. 50% of adults cannot read a book written at the 8th grade level.
50% of unemployed youth between 16 and 21 are functionally illiterate
The US is the only free market company where the current generation is less
educated than the previous one. We rank 12 out of 20 in literacy among high
income countries.
90% of high school drop outs are on welfare.
Literacy is a learned phenomenon while illiteracy is passed along by parents who do not read or write. But what happens when there is a burgeoning illiterate population? Daily living requires adults to read basic texts, understand legal and financial documents and navigate technology. Those who cannot miss out on job opportunities. If employed they earn about $ 230-45 a week and only work 18-19 weeks a year.
Politicians talk of working wage jobs for all but we are not going to get there if we do not solve illiteracy as a fist step. Elections worry me because their are not level playing fields with knowledgeable voters ready to execute their democratic rights. Instead emotional oratory bravado that says little captures the imagination of the public.
Most of the people who pay attention to my blog are readers. They read to their children when young and grandchildren as they come along. Now I implore you to consider going one step further. Mentor a person who needs extra help.
It is not easy to motivate a reluctant reader and involves developing a relationship that is close and trusting. Helping a slow reader requires flexibility and being in tune with psychological blocks that may have impeded learning in the first place. It takes patience, compassion and persistence.
The exciting result, though, is that once a student experiences success, self-motivation often takes over. Eyes light up, understanding occurs and confidence builds. Mentors find that they receive as much as they give.
Consider volunteering today to turn around a life. There are many organizations throughout the country seeking help. Several in my area include The Portland Literacy Council ( http://portlandliteracy.org) , Portland Community College volunteer tutoring ( http://www.pcc.edu/resources/tutoring/volunteer/), the library and the public schools.
Don’t wait. Did you know that in 2015 Portland ranked # 6 out of large cities in volunteering and # 1 for Millennials? We are a caring community.
Art work is always for sale. Contact me at marilynne@eichingerfineart.com
Please respond below. I would love to hear from you..
____________________________________
For sale on Amazon: The True Story of Streetwise, overcoming homelessness and beating the odds. $2.99
Go to http://AMAZON
Table of Contents