Has
the importance and prevalence of reading declined in today’s society? In a Big Read group presentation at the
Chautauqua County Home on February 27th, Brian Bailey and I, Caitlin Skellett, worked
to encourage a passion for reading amongst the residents.
Event Background
The Big Read is a program
sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts in which participating
organizations work with community partners to encourage literacy in local
communities. This is done through book
discussions and events in the participating areas. The program started due to a recent study demonstrating
a literacy crisis and showing that reading rates are declining rapidly. 10% of Americans do not read. This is a loss of 20 million potential
readers. Taking on the challenge of
re-instating reading in our community, our group presented a discussion at the
Chautauqua County Home with hopes of encouraging resident’s enjoyment of the
book.
Our Event
The event held that Chautauqua
County Home was successful. The group talked about animal cruelty, necessary
punishment, human relations with dogs and Jack London’s life. Most of the
members of our audience grew up on farms where they were surrounded by animals
including dogs. Several members would repeat the dogs they grew up with, and
had throughout their lives, were members of their family. Being members of the
family punishment was necessary. Similar to raising a child, if the child made
a mistake the child would be punished. Punishment would consist of being
grounded, having videos taken away or something similar. The same may hold true
when it comes to raising dogs.
Our event at the home was successful and the residents seemed to enjoy themselves talking about the book (the parts that were read at the home). Our group had a board in the front of the room with a map of Buck’s journey. From there, the group followed the map moving along and reaching the wild with activities and discussion questions. With each activity and question the paper Buck (on the board) would move along the map until he reached the wild. When “the wild” was reached the event concluded. The residents seemed to have liked the small visual of Bucks journey. When the board was put up one of the residents said aloud, “Oh that is pretty” the group members looked at her and smiled. She smiled back, gave the group thumbs up and said, “Good job.”
The residents at the event
seemed pleased and satisfied with the performance with the group. Furthermore,
the residents seemed to appreciate what SUNY Fredonia and the Big Read program
did (do) for them and other members of the surrounding areas.
Audience Response
Presenting to an audience of
approximately 20 individuals, all of whom bring something different to the
discussion may seem like a challenge, and, although the task wasn’t simple, it
was rewarding. We had some residents who
told us they liked reading more than they enjoyed watching television because
they could use their imaginations more.
One resident even said that after reading the novel, she wished to
travel to Alaska.
Many members of our audience grew
up in a time when reading was one of the only pass time activities they had to
engage in. This gave our group an
interesting perspective on the importance of reading in these individual’s
lives.
For
those members of the audience who had not finished the book by the time our
group presented, there was an overwhelming response that they could not wait to
finish reading. Some were even
interested in reading Jack London’s biography, Wolf, since our presentation used some information from that
book. Seeing the resident’s faces light
up while talking about what reading means to them was encouraging in regards to
the future of reading.
The Future of
Reading
The future of reading is
crucial. The Big Read program aims to tackle the problem of the lack of
reading, particularly males from 16 to 25. With the previous in mind, doing an
event at the County Home may help increase reading. How? The event probably
should have been open to the residents’ family members. Family members include
children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. If family members of the
residents were allowed to attend the event, they would have seen (as stated
above) the glow on the faces of audience members. The glow and the event would
show people the enjoyment and “wild” adventure that reading and discussing books
has to offer.
How does society fix the problem
of the lack reading within the United States? The education system is, perhaps,
the most important “thing” that can change to better and help the problem. Though,
the education system today is something people are not pleased with. Some argue
the education system started to decline with the “No Child Left Behind Act”
under George W. Bush. It goes to show that people like to point fingers when
something goes wrong or is unsuccessful. The education system isn’t the only “thing”
that can change. Parents need to introduce their children to reading through
various ways. Though, parents tend to find it is easier to let children watch
television or play video games.
The Big Read is a horse of a different color. Community partners who participate within the program are beneficial to the areas and people within of the location. Hopefully, the Big read program will tackle the goals set forth with help from students, parents, professors and community partners.
Conclusion
To conclude everything gained
from the Big Read program cannot be described with words. Everyone who
participated within the program clearly shares a love of literature unmatched
by any material object and activity. Furthermore,
the love of literature goes hand-in-hand with the goal of the Big Read, to
promote literacy. Reading is an
adventure that can be compared to Buck’s journey, difficult times, loss, love,
trust, cruelty and epiphany. All of which prove to be a wild ride.
Please visit the sites below for more information about SUNY Fredonia, the Big Read and the County Home.
http://www.fredonia.edu/
http://www.fredonia.edu/bigread/
http://www.co.chautauqua.ny.us/departments/CountyHome/Pages/default.aspx
