During my readings this week, I read an article about using reading aloud in middle school and high school to precipitate and increase pleasure reading among the tween and teen age groups.
The article, Reading Aloud to Teens gains favor, discusses how reading from more than textbooks increases interest in the subject being taught. Yet, the majority of people think of reading aloud as something only for small children. But the increasing usage of audiobooks proves that every one enjoys listening to a book or story.
One of the fascinating parts of the article discussed the positive response of middle schoolers to listening to stories. The teens enjoyed and learned more from the oral stories than just reading.
while not all my thoughts, for the moment, I still have more research to do on this subject.
Update: After doing some more thinking and reading, I am inclined to believe that the oral traditions from ages past led to better understanding of the stories told and read. These days teens listen to music for what appears to be hours a day. The result- they can recite the lyrics by heart although they do not always comprehend the meaning.
So, if we put dates, vocabulary, or any other data to music, would they retain it better?
According to a Fox News Exclusive on education on Sunday September 20, 2010 a company called Flocabulary is doing just that. According to their website, Flocabulary uses hip-hop and rap to teach math, social studies, science, reading, writing and vocabulary. Created in 2005, Flocabulary claims that learning to music improves motivation and retention. Their products are used in schools throughout the United States and the testimonials indicate an increase in learning and memorization.
Can tweens benefit from something like Flocabulary? As with everything tween, it most likely depends on the individual.
Harrison, B. and Rappaport, A. (2010). Flocabulary retrieved from http://www.flocabulary.com/
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