So, during class the other night, after we did the prefix and suffix exercise, Mrs. White gave a brief lecture on literacy and its importance today. Though this was not a huge part of her lesson, it kind of stuck with me because I'm also in ELE 445 this semester (Foundation of Reading/Language Arts) and during the first chapter there was a section on why reading was so important.
The paragraph states:
"the inability to read has been listed recently as a national health risk. The National Institutes of Health, an agency of the federal government, has recently registered reading disability or the inability to read on the nation's list of "life-threatening diseases" because of the devestating and far-reaching effects that reading failure has upon the quality of our citizens' lives."
Before either of these classes, I never would have thought illiteracy was considered a life-threatening disease.. But now, I guess it really is true. But then again, I dunno.
Is this surprising to anyone else?!
What do you guys think?
At first, I was relatively shocked when I read this. Although I can see how the inability to read has effects on the quality of life people have, it seems to be a bit of a strech for me to be considering it a 'life-threatening disease'. However the more I think of how being unable to read effects a person and their future, the more I begin to view it as a disease. A disease is spread from one person to another and if someone who is illiterate has a child they cannot teach them how to read; therefore the inability to read spread from one generation to another. Hopefully in a situation like this the educational system would take a part in changing the reading ability of this child. As future teachers we must be prepared to deal with students who may of never been introduced to the world of literature and reading, and be ready to fight this 'life-threatening disease'.
ReplyDeleteBeing illiterate could be a very dangerous thing. For example, you could be walking into a highly dangerous area and not even realize it because you cant read the warning signs. Although it can be dangerous, i don't believe it should be labeled as a "life threatening disease". Although being able to read makes life a lot easier, it is not necessary to survive.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Samantha I was initially shocked when I read this post, but when I honestly think about it, the inability to read and write could be deadly. How can you read warning labels? Read directions and follow them properly? If these examples weren't followed or read carefully couldn't it be deadly? I believe that being literate is almost comparable to having good health. You must always be able to follow warning signs and being unable to read and understand the written word you could ultimately end up in harms way.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure is "disease" is really the write word, so I have decided to look it up. According to Merriam-Webster:Definition of DISEASE
ReplyDelete1: obsolete : trouble
2: a condition of the living animal or plant body or of one of its parts that impairs normal functioning and is typically manifested by distinguishing signs and symptoms : sickness, malady
3: a harmful development (as in a social institution)
And I guess, depending on the definition you choose, and your interpretation of it, "disease" is the correct word because illiteracy can and likely will be harmful to the full development of people.
There are definitely some really good points here. And like everyone else thats commented I too was shocked to think that it could be life threatening. And I never would have thought of it like that... but I guess thats mainly because I have never really thought about it.
ReplyDeleteI dont think we all realize how much we read in order to make it through life. A really quick and simple example would be driving on the intersate and being told to get off at the Franklin Co. exit. If you cant read you will not be able to know where you are going. That was just the first thing that came to my mind. Literacy is so very important so I can definately see it being labeled as a disease, especially after reading Lacey's post.
ReplyDelete