Hey guys, I was in my advanced public speaking class today, and we were talking about certain incentives to read or get good grades we had gotten in our past, and the one I remember, was a thing with Pizza hut, where if you read a certain ammount of books, you got a coupon for a free pan pizza at Pizza Hut. But what I was thinking, is how the hell are we going to get kids nowadays to read more? I mean, let's face it: kids today aren't too avid of reading. Most of my friends think reading is "dumb" or "boring" or it "puts them to sleep".

But what I'm trying to figure out is a way to somehow get them more involved in reading, because as an avid reader, nothing captures my imagination more than a great book. That's the glory of reading, such as when you're reading one of those amazing books, where the hell time you immerse yourself into the book and become the main character, and you are faced with those situations. Where it's no longer just words on a page, but they're actually happening. Like when I read The Hunger Games or the Harry Potter series, I was in those situations, right there with Harry, Ron, Hermione, Katniss, Peeta, Gale, etc.

But what kids today aren't getting, is that books capture your imagination MUCH more than the movies do. Sure, movies are good to watch, but they don't capture you like a good book does, and they don't realize that. So to those of you who may be older, and have kids of your own, or nieces/nephews, how do you get them to read, and enjoy it?

Thanks,
Apollo

But what about kids who are over that stage? 14-15 year olds? Gary raised a good point on Skype "

And it's true. Kids won't read because they have all of these games and movies and iPhones and what not. And I'm trying to figure out a way to counter-act that imbalance.

Which is what scares me. I mean, seeing as how each generation will produce a president, congressmen, CEOs, etc., And this generation is probably the most anti-reading generation I've ever heard of and I fear what will happen to following generations as technology gets more advanced, and books will slowly become outdated and used for nothing more than coasters for you drinks.

My parents never forced me, I just one day decided while at my cabin relaxing that I would read to pass the time. Before I knew it it was 3 hours later. I have all the gaming systems and tv and computer but nothing compares to a good book as you said. I'd much rather read than watch t.v. at times.
Anyway the problem with kids is they think they'll look "uncool" if their friends see them reading. Everyone today is so worried about their social image they won't do things just so they seem "cool" or "popular'. Just because the "cool" kids dont read, 3/4 of the other kids won't read. They'll never admit thats why, but I guarantee thats part of the reason. Another problem(Atleast that i've noticed in my school) Is that teachers rarely assign you a book and make you read it. I think we were assigned one book through middle school (5-8th grade) and then high school came and we got alot more. The problem there, is half the kids reading levels were terrible. SOme couldnt even read. I know for a fact they were taught in elementary school but because they weren't forced or even try reading a book they "lost" the ability to read or atleast comprehend what they see on the pages.

Yeah, Ryan. Back in middle school/high school, we had to read at least like 4 books a semester to pass the class. But I was in all honors, and idk how it was for regular or assisted level classes.

Yeah middle school as I said, 1 book through 4 years.....
But once we got to high school the teachers made us read 8 books a year, 2 per semester. But most kids can barely read 2 through that time due to the fact they didnt read through middle school. As for me this was no problem because I read all throughout middle school.

The other problem is kids are getting dumber...... Putting it nicely. We have kids who can't read even a sentence and can't even sound out the words without the teachers help, and we're seniors in high school. Almost 12 years of school and they can't even sound out words and a single sentence takes 5 minutes to read.

I just think every english class should require kids to read atleast 5 books per year if not more. Then after they read the teacher should quiz the student on the book to see if they read or jus spark noted it and stuff, which brings up another problem. Kids can just bs tests if need be by using sites such as sparknotes and what not.

if you want them to read then let them read about something they like, but dont force it on them

i would rather be like me, im very active so i rarely get online or play video games

im always outside and when i do read it is a book or my choice and is read at my discreation

here is another exaple, my little brother hates to read and he has problems reading, so we take him to the library and book stores, he usually picks a book and reads it, because it intrest him

he still needs help with his reading and he usually doesnt want to read since he is always on his ipad playing games, well to fix that just take the charger and let it die so he either has to get active or read

since i live on a farm, we dont watch tv but maybe for an hour while we eat supper but thats all, we are always busy and we do what has to be done

i read what intrest me, i love to read math books, anything to do with math, and im hooked, but my brother likes to read off the wall books that you have never heard of

at least he reads or trys to read, but he chooses the book and reads it at his discreation.

reading is ment to be a luxury, not someone forceing you to read this or that

We have to read 12 books a semester. 4 semesters. Not a problem there.



I think it will happen like this. Books will be totally replaced by their technological counterparts (the kindle, you know) and then those technologies will be replaced by the Iphones and the Macs and the million other things people feel they have to buy.



You can blame Jersey shore, 16 and pregnant, and all the other (Want to be allies? Sometimes I like to pretend I am a princess riding a pony..). Oh and the music. I listen to lil wayne but I don't call girls hoes. Kids just like to imitate what they see and hear. It's a fact.