Aliteracy in America

1
Aliteracy in America
The man who does not read good books has no
advantage over the man who cant read them. Mark
Twain
2
Definitions of Aliteracy

• A lack of the reading habit in capable readers
• The ability to read without the desire

3
Discouraging Facts

• 7 of Americans are voracious readers
• 59 read fewer than ten books in a year
• 90 Million Americans over the age of 16 lack
  reading and writing skills needed for employment
• One of five Americans who can read does read
• Decline in language, critical thinking skills,
  and informed participants in government.
• Percentage of student who hardly ever read
• 12 age 9
• 21.7 age 13
• 23.6 age 17

4
American Culture and Literature

• Ours is a culture of the Book. Our democracy
  is built on books and reading. This tradition is
  now threatened by the twin menaces of illiteracy
  and aliteracy.
• Daniel J. Boorstin
• Aliteracy is tearing apart our culture. If you
  dont read much you really dont know much.
  Youre dangerous.
• Jim Trelease

5
Reasons not to Read

• Reading slowness
• Time pressures
• Lack of motivation
• Boredom
• Technology

6
Types of Reader

• Dormant readers-read when they feel they have the
  time.
• Uncommitted readers-dont care much for reading,
  but could grow to like it.
• Unmotivated readers-dislike reading and express
  negative attitudes about readers.

7
Encourage reading

• Spend class time reading books students choose.
• Acknowledge possible anxiety.
• Teacher reads aloud.
• Recommend books.
• Recommend smaller articles at first
• Show movie first, then read book.
• Start with a small amount to choose from, too
  many choices can be overwhelming
• Encourage reading in technology exercises.

8
Suggestions for the Librarian

• Longer hours.
• Encourage all reading, even comics and romances
• Larger collections means better high-reading
  scores.
• Remember peers influence teen reading.