Reading Reasons
Tuesdays with Tiffany
Why Reading Matters to Me
• I grew up in an abusive home
• Reading became an escape. I could go
anywhere, do anything, and become
anyone.
• Later, my ability to read well helped me
get good grades and get a scholarship to
college. I was able to move out and have
a better life because I could read well.
What About You?
• You may have lots of reasons of how
reading has changed your life.
• Maybe you learned something new.
• Maybe you escaped into books, like me.
• Maybe you got better grades.
• Maybe it helped you get through a
stressful time in your life.
• Maybe you are still finding your own
reasons.
Why Should You Read?
Here are 9 reasons why you should read in real life!
1. Reading is rewarding.
2. It builds a mature vocabulary.
3. Reading makes you a better writer.
4. Reading is hard and hard is sometimes
necessary.
5. It makes you smarter.
6. Reading prepares you for the world of work.
7. Reading well is financially rewarding.
8. It opens the door to college and the world
beyond.
9. Reading arms you against oppression.
Tuesdays with Tiffany
• One of my favorite books is Tuesdays with
Morrie. Morrie is the author’s former
teacher. When Mitch Albom finds out
Morrie is dying, Mitch interviews Morrie
about his life each week. Through these
Tuesday meetings, Mitch learns about
what is important in life.
• In Morrie’s memory, I will dedicate every
Tuesday to talking about real reasons
reading matters in your life.
Assignment
• Facts from the slides
• My thoughts
• Connections
• Questions
Reason 9: Reading Arms
You Against Oppression
• Since we talked about book burning and
control last week, I want to spend today
talking about Reason 9.
• A consultant for the Department
of Education in California looks
at 4th grade reading scores to
determine how much money the
state needs to set aside for
building future prisons.
• Why?
Students who were behind in
th
reading in 4 grade are behind
th
th
in 6 grade, the 9 grade, and
the 12th grade.
• Students who graduate with weak
reading skills have more economic
hardships and oppression.
• Why?
Information Age
• The ability to read will become increasingly
important in the near future.
• The amount of information doubles every 6
months.
• In the last 400 weeks of human existence, 500
million computers have been plugged in.
• We are in the beginning of an information age
and weak readers will be left behind.
Expensive to Be Poor
• James Baldwin said, “It is expensive to be
poor.”
• What did he mean?
• Poor people are often taken advantage of.
• The best way to arm yourself against
oppression is to learn how to read the world
critically.
My Oppression from Not Reading Well
• I didn’t read the fine print on my first car loan and
ended up paying a lot more money than I had
agreed to pay.
• On my credit card bill, I paid the minimum
monthly payments, but didn’t know that when
they added interest, I was going more in debt
every month.
• I misunderstood an essay question and failed a
final in college. I had to retake the class.
• I missed a registration deadline and didn’t get my
student loans. It cost me $3,000 for that mistake.
Discussion
• What are some examples in your world when
someone was penalized or punished because
they didn’t read something or didn’t read it
carefully?
• What can you do to change this for you?