Adolescents Reading: A Field of Dreams?

In this article, by Teri S. Lesesne, the author takes the general concept of belief and persistence found in the movie "A Field of Dreams" and brings it to the classroom. The author argues that in order to get students to read more, which is a common goal among all English teachers, we must first be persistent in our efforts to achieve this goal, and we must believe that this goal is possible to achieve.

Lesesne begins this article by disputing the common argument that teens these days are reading less. She believes that teens these days are in fact reading as much, if not more, just not in the classical sense. Lesesne says that teens are online reading blogs, interviews, and sports scores. She also includes audio books in this unconventional reading that teens are surely doing these days. I personally don't know whether or not I would count audio books as reading. Audio books only call on a students listening skills, rather than their reading skills.

Lesesne has a plan to encourage teens to read more, even if they are not avid readers. She proposes that we offer choices, and read summaries of books that may spark interest to the students. Going along with this theme of choices, she also proposes that many different forms of text be offered, including audiobooks, in attempt to spark every one's interests. In a way to incorporate today's advanced technology, she suggests that teachers record themselves reading a book to put onto a student's MP3 player. She also proposes a plan on how to go about introducing students to books that might interest them. By paying attention to student's favorite genres, tv shows & movies, it can assist in helping students find books that will be interesting to them and also keep them reading.

All in all, I feel that the author's analogy of "Field of Dreams" to the classroom is a good one. Persistence and belief in what we are trying to accomplish will of course produce results and increase numbers of teens who read regularly!