I agree with the language Dr. Sharp uses in her post. I have stories too numerous to mention here, but I will describe one man I will never forget. I was in my clinical training, and this man had been ordered for counseling for violent behavior. Near the end of therapy he had begun a relationship with a woman who had a very young child. This man’s concern was that he learn to read so that he could read to the child. His shame filled the therapy room. All of the hardships he had which lead to his violent life receded leaving at the fore his desire to relate to a young child through children’s literature. This image is one of poignancy. Itza Bitza is a beautiful thing in itself. I imagine that man as a child with ItzaBitza on his screen, fascinated by what his mind was growing into as he acquired his own literacy.
Thanks for one of the best takes on the meaning and purpose of reading I have seen. We are beginning to accept that children, just like adults, need to have purpose and meaning in what they do. This includes reading. I love ItzaBitza for that reason. It makes reading an adventure. If a child truly wants to find meaning in text (be it books or the screen), it would be hard to stop her. What a great message.
How great — I love these fun theory folks! Yep, ItzaBitza and ItzaZoo sure fit right in. Here’s a great quote from the National Reading Panel Report (2000) that in my opinion is the most overlooked sentence in the report (it appears on page 447 of the 449 page report) :
The teacher’s job is to create or allow situations where children want to read and are willing to work hard at it.
I love this topic. For those interested, check out Raph Koster’s http://www.theoryoffun.com/ . My 3rd grade teacher, Mr. Smith, had a room full of planetary mobiles, gizmos, strange books, and interesting objects. He played guitar for us and encouraged us to write. It was a great year for me. I can’t think of anything in learning that cannot be made entertaining.
DrMarty01 said,
December 9, 2009 @ 12:35 am
I agree with the language Dr. Sharp uses in her post. I have stories too numerous to mention here, but I will describe one man I will never forget. I was in my clinical training, and this man had been ordered for counseling for violent behavior. Near the end of therapy he had begun a relationship with a woman who had a very young child. This man’s concern was that he learn to read so that he could read to the child. His shame filled the therapy room. All of the hardships he had which lead to his violent life receded leaving at the fore his desire to relate to a young child through children’s literature. This image is one of poignancy. Itza Bitza is a beautiful thing in itself. I imagine that man as a child with ItzaBitza on his screen, fascinated by what his mind was growing into as he acquired his own literacy.
Dr Marty said,
January 20, 2010 @ 11:55 pm
Thanks for one of the best takes on the meaning and purpose of reading I have seen. We are beginning to accept that children, just like adults, need to have purpose and meaning in what they do. This includes reading. I love ItzaBitza for that reason. It makes reading an adventure. If a child truly wants to find meaning in text (be it books or the screen), it would be hard to stop her. What a great message.
Craig said,
February 13, 2010 @ 10:28 am
Installing or instilling? Perhaps both.
Ian said,
March 31, 2010 @ 6:54 pm
thanks. this was a topic for my essay.
P.S. We have the same first names.XD
Ian said,
March 31, 2010 @ 6:55 pm
by the way, do you have a facebook?
: P
Diana Sharp said,
April 26, 2010 @ 8:15 am
How great — I love these fun theory folks! Yep, ItzaBitza and ItzaZoo sure fit right in. Here’s a great quote from the National Reading Panel Report (2000) that in my opinion is the most overlooked sentence in the report (it appears on page 447 of the 449 page report) :
The teacher’s job is to create or allow situations where children want to read and are willing to work hard at it.
Dr Marty said,
April 27, 2010 @ 10:03 pm
I love this topic. For those interested, check out Raph Koster’s
http://www.theoryoffun.com/ . My 3rd grade teacher, Mr. Smith, had a room full of planetary mobiles, gizmos, strange books, and interesting objects. He played guitar for us and encouraged us to write. It was a great year for me. I can’t think of anything in learning that cannot be made entertaining.