tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11303971.post3008871524016097803..comments2024-01-17T04:33:08.243-08:00Comments on My Friend Amy: Why Adult Literacy Matters To Us AllAmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02515314638093018928noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11303971.post-92191479641086880842009-10-24T07:43:14.806-07:002009-10-24T07:43:14.806-07:00Amy - I thought I left a comment the other day, bu...Amy - I thought I left a comment the other day, but apparently it didn't get through! Thank you for this wonderful post. It really offers a great description of how the cycles of literacy and illiteracy work. Look for a link in the upcoming Literacy Roundup, too!Terry Dohertyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06246198932357846984noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11303971.post-8381184887304505562009-10-24T01:27:54.478-07:002009-10-24T01:27:54.478-07:00thanks 4 sharethanks 4 shareid pornshttp://www.idporns.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11303971.post-28891104259075677482009-10-23T10:51:25.719-07:002009-10-23T10:51:25.719-07:00For a while I was designing and grading coursework...For a while I was designing and grading coursework for a series of adult remedial education in a prison. Almost none of the students could read or write well. Impaired literacy makes it hard for people to participate in society, which pushes them toward the edges and makes criminal activity more likely. So boosting literacy can lower the crime rate.Ysabetwordsmithhttp://gaiatribe.geekuniversalis.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11303971.post-71041258383298009642009-10-22T10:29:30.112-07:002009-10-22T10:29:30.112-07:00My husband has severe dyslexia and because of this...My husband has severe dyslexia and because of this struggles with reading and spelling. I know that my kids will receive lots of book time from me, but I am hoping to find ways to get hubby involved with our kids and books too.Melissahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06474584473012742915noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11303971.post-23042296323020268872009-10-22T07:28:40.173-07:002009-10-22T07:28:40.173-07:00Yes! I've taught children whose parents had li...Yes! I've taught children whose parents had little education themselves. The ways this affects children is tremendous. <br /><br />No person, child or adult, should have to struggle with this basic skill.Caroline Starr Rosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04597510685273079757noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11303971.post-16939549221638482102009-10-21T22:58:03.069-07:002009-10-21T22:58:03.069-07:00I know at least two people who can't read... o...I know at least two people who can't read... or so I've heard. I've never asked them about it, because I thought it might be a touchy subject. But it's hard to imagine trying to get through life without it. =/Heidenkindhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09494625457587427781noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11303971.post-63787988267207607262009-10-21T21:18:59.874-07:002009-10-21T21:18:59.874-07:00Hi Amy. Thanks so much for highlighting the probl...Hi Amy. Thanks so much for highlighting the problem of adult literacy and for mentioning our "I Told Two Friends" campaign. It's heart-rending to think that there are so many adults (33 million!) in our country who have no or poor reading skills. And you're so right to focus on the effect this will have on their kids.<br />Thanks so much for mentioning our campaign to teach eager adults to read. And for working so hard on behalf of kids who are learning to read as well!<br /><br />Peace to you! <br /> - Melanie WellsMelanie Wellshttp://www.itoldtwofriends.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11303971.post-54588447508862404062009-10-21T15:18:39.920-07:002009-10-21T15:18:39.920-07:00Thanks for bringing up this important topic, Amy! ...Thanks for bringing up this important topic, Amy! It is very embarrassing for adults who cannot read to admit to it and ask for help. It seems everyone can read these days so to admit you can't is a huge deal. If someone does admit it to you the important thing is not to judge and to not offer help as the next thing you say. Give them time to get used to the idea that you're not judgmental. It helps them feel more secure and less like someone to be pitied.Beccahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02706544792110129160noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11303971.post-4399923687445090452009-10-21T14:51:47.575-07:002009-10-21T14:51:47.575-07:00thanks for this, amy! Being in the bookblog ring, ...thanks for this, amy! Being in the bookblog ring, I think my praise will probably just be enjoyed by the choir but it really is SOOOOO important to talk about reading with adult who may (or may not but especially those who may) become parents. <br /><br />I like the point about how important reading becomes to children (and thus adults as they grow up) being based on how excited the parents are about reading and books. I teach at a preschool where most of the parents are doctors, lawyers, and engineers. It is amazing to see people who went through 8-10 years of college not get (on their own) the connection between reading to babies/kids and higher education later in life. <br /><br />Thanks for this post! It really is so important!Pamhttp://iwriteinbooks.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11303971.post-5875600065507655682009-10-21T13:43:16.687-07:002009-10-21T13:43:16.687-07:00I think you bring up great points! You're righ...I think you bring up great points! You're right: I mostly think of literacy as for children. But how will the children get literate if the parents aren't!? *Going to check out the website*Rebecca Reidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06062252252301802298noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11303971.post-22260107532762800042009-10-21T13:38:14.759-07:002009-10-21T13:38:14.759-07:00Excellent post, Amy! I second Jill's comment a...Excellent post, Amy! I second Jill's comment about the shame associated with it. I really admire the work that you do!Ana S.https://www.blogger.com/profile/16092495983972185943noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11303971.post-78317184486446446612009-10-21T13:12:01.737-07:002009-10-21T13:12:01.737-07:00Interesting topic. I have one of those parents who...Interesting topic. I have one of those parents who doesn't read well (he knows how to read but it's much harder for him than most people). My dad was actually in an adult literacy course at the same time I was learning to read. In spite of this, or maybe because of this, he instilled in me a love for reading and made sure that I was light years ahead of my classmates when I started school. While it's been tough for him and he continues to struggle with it, he made sure that I never had the same problem. So in some ways, he was actually a better parent because of his poor reading skills.Michellehttp://mybooksmylife.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11303971.post-8675075724546693652009-10-21T10:31:33.117-07:002009-10-21T10:31:33.117-07:00Great post Amy. Thanks for mentioning this import...Great post Amy. Thanks for mentioning this important subject. I do think about/have thought about it before, but it definitely bears keeping in mind.Nicole (Linus's Blanket)https://www.blogger.com/profile/12473607646939202824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11303971.post-24177025197871076832009-10-21T08:00:32.494-07:002009-10-21T08:00:32.494-07:00I worked in adult literacy for a little while and ...I worked in adult literacy for a little while and it is heartbreaking. Whenever I got a new student, I tested them to see what level they were on, so I'd know what materials to use with them. One of my students came from the local women's shelter and was so ashamed that she couldn't read at all that she started crying. I took her to the bathroom to wash her face and we both sobbed in there for at least half an hour. As you can see, I wasn't very good at keeping my emotions separate from the job. Not being able to read keeps people unemployed or underemployed - it is a huge problem and I applaud people like you who make a difference!bermudaonionhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10726401178972099557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11303971.post-27350235513242620872009-10-21T07:25:25.930-07:002009-10-21T07:25:25.930-07:00As a former teacher in a really low-income area, I...As a former teacher in a really low-income area, I can definitely attest that the education level of parents, as well as how much importance they place on education is huge in the educational success of kids. Thanks for bringing this up, Amy!Jen - Devourer of Bookshttp://www.devourerofbooks.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11303971.post-77745957314455002372009-10-21T07:13:54.108-07:002009-10-21T07:13:54.108-07:00I think one of the barriers is that it can be emba...I think one of the barriers is that it can be embarrassing to say you're an adult and can't read. In bilingual Tucson, adult literacy programs are a little more successful because at least you can say you can't read in the other language. But it's definitely hard on the adults either way. It's wonderful that you are highlighting this issue.rhapsodyinbookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07041412748239010264noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11303971.post-11967323726598138262009-10-21T02:22:01.682-07:002009-10-21T02:22:01.682-07:00It is hard to imagine not being able to read the w...It is hard to imagine not being able to read the way we all do...the frustration, the impact on our children. You have such a big heart, and admire you for taking on this cause! You are an inspiration Amy!Sandy Nawrothttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00564390728106776030noreply@blogger.com