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Welcome to Reading Is Important
Do students still need to read "books"?
is a kaykey to school
Benefits of reading for pleasure:
When children read for pleasure, when they get “hooked on books”, they acquire, involuntarily and without conscious effort, nearly all of the so-called “language skills” many people are so concerned about: they will become adequate readers, acquire a large vocabulary, develop the ability to understand and use complex grammatical constructions, develop a good writing style, and become good (but not necessarily perfect) spellers. Although free voluntary reading alone will not ensure attainment of the highest levels of literacy, it will at least ensure an acceptable level. Without it, I suspect that children simply do not have a chance.

For the Love ofWelcome to Reading Is Important
Do students still need to read "books"?
Reading is a kay to school learning and helps us in all aspects of our lives. Perhaps one of the best thinks a student can do to improve skills in all areas of his or her life is read, and read a wide variety of materials. And nothing encourages reading like a good book!

I define important books as those that have made a lasting impression on me, often times changing the way I think about the world. Important books are those that you remember long after you have finished them, for reasons that may be completely personal. Books may be considered classics when they address universal truths or questions, and many readers think about, but not all important books are classics. What books do YOU consider to be important?
http://lifehacker.com/397394/the-books-that-changed-your-lives
Of course everyone has an idea of what is really a great book. Some of us tend to rely on "lists", while others prefer to do our own research and make our own choices.
Links for lists:
Illinois State Library recommendations for high school students:
http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/library/whats_new/rfl.html
Abraham Lincoln Book Lists:
http://www.islma.org/lincoln.htm
Amazon;s suggestions for what to read before you finish high school:
http://www.amazon.com/Most-Important-Books-Before-Graduation/lm/R3E1GO0P3Q2L9S

For the Love of Reading
Do students still need to read "books"?
Reading is a kay to school learning and helps us in all aspects of our lives. Perhaps one of the best thinks a student can do to improve skills in all areas of his or her life is read, and read a wide variety of materials. And nothing encourages reading like a good book!
Benefits of reading for pleasure:
When children read for pleasure, when they get “hooked on books”, they acquire, involuntarily and without conscious effort, nearly all of the so-called “language skills” many people are so concerned about: they will become adequate readers, acquire a large vocabulary, develop the ability to understand and use complex grammatical constructions, develop a good writing style, and become good (but not necessarily perfect) spellers. Although free voluntary reading alone will not ensure attainment of the highest levels of literacy, it will at least ensure an acceptable level. Without it, I suspect that children simply do not have a chance.

Water for Elephants
This book provides a vivid picture of life during the Depression, from the point of view of a man who ends up joining the circus. After a terrible accident makes him leave vet school, he ends up taking care of animals in the circus and ultimately rebuilding his life.

Here is a list of possible books for your first quarter project.
Reading List – 20th Century – 1st Quarter
NOTE: You may choose books other than those on this list, but I must approve all books. All books should be about something in the time period 1900 – 1940, with the exception of World War II.
Yep, Laurence
The Star Fisher
Once you have completed the book project, please log on to the discussion page and provide a brief summary of your book.