Why teachers should be read

Title

Language

English

Year

1947

Rights

In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted

Fulltext

WHY TEACHERS SHOULD READ -. By BLAS ABELLA Curiculum Division .. - Reading is an intellectualizing agenC)! of the world today. Teacher or no teacher, one reads to know the world around him. Like it or not, reading matter in the form of books, magazines, pamphlets, outlines, and periodicals abound touching on the many-sided inten;sts of man from the smallest particle of dust to the sun. It has increased both in number and kind. Man should measure up with the ever-changing conditions of life and society. While one may be sitting in a corner of his house, yet he may acquaint himself with the happe~ings faking place at the other side of the globe through reading. Without going away from his habitation, through vicarious reading, he gain_ s access into the lives of people of different countries near and far. He learns to interpret and reason out things for himself. In. fact, through extensiYe reading, one travels much faster, and more economically that through some of the modern means of communication. And is it not more pleasurable, too? To one who is and wants to be considered an intellectual, reading is an indispensable adjunct to complete living. Reading provides for continuous extension and enrichment of experience, through reading. One increases his enjoyment and appreciation of life through reading ,newspapers .and magazines. He learns of customs, \Jeologies and sc.cial conventions of differ~nt !1ationalities. Wide reading i .s an index of man's progress. After reading, he compares and weighs thus becomes democratic and tolerant,!, instead of being narrow-minded and ·a'· monomaniac. Hardly will you find a man successful well-read man. him in a better ciety. in life unless he is a Wide reading places light in all levels of so~, As Opportunity for Growth Especially to the teachers, reading affords a great opportunity _for growth. Reading plac_ es the teacher always on the level. He im~roves in the use of the language itself and keeps_ him pu-to-date. He keeps pace with the world changes and has a ready source of information for any eventuality. As teachers, in fairness to the pupils he comes in contact with everyday, and to the profession, he must read to supplement whatever knowledge he has. A teacher who doesn't read may be termed unfaithful, to put it m ildly, both to the pupils and the calling to which h ~ has dedicated himself at least while m active service. I t is doubted how far a teacher goes in teaching if he does not have a reading program for himself. To a progressive teacher, reading must be recognized as essential and sign ificant. The teacher m ust take . stock of th e varied reading matter in all subject fields. That he is not teaching a certai n subject is no reason he should not read on that subject. A w ell-read teacher can better elaborate on the substance the merits of various ideas gained. Read- of the subject in question through sysing broadens everybody's \·iews and tematic correlation an d integration. 26B ··J ,, .. ,... ·,_... ... ..~... ~~hcling t';a~h:e~-.~ seems to a modern program instruction. As such, a teacher is expected to give effective training to his pupils on the various· skills in reading. With the little time people have due t~ the mul,tifarious things they attend to keep pace with the fast te~po of present_ -day life, it is imperative t~t the young minds be directed carefully in their study. The school is expected to produce iildividuals who can direct. themselves as learners. Pupils should be trained to locate, select, 'read economically with purpo_ se, interpret and evaluate given facts in the light of their experiences.· In any community, a teacher occupies a relatively high social position. People look up to him in most matters requiring further elucidation. They take it for granted that the teacher is one of the best, if not the best, edu~ated man in the community. Such a 'confidence should be maintained by the teacher who should at all times be kept post!!d on wod~ events. To a common question, . \.. EDUCATOR j-• • ~ ~ .,. ~ . (' ,. i . Is'' ir ·t;ue ther~ wilt ~be . another war? a teacher can do much to keep the minds of the people in peace if he can give ' ~ broad and intelligent interpretation 'of daily events. Finally, the teacher should keep himself professionally alive. Stop read_ing and mental deterioration begins. Learning is a continuous process, from birth, some claim even before it, to senility. He lives most who reads ~ost. Not all education is obtained in schools. · Ho-.v many have been self-made men through reading vicariously ? And may we not say, too, that reading makes the man? · BIBLIOGRAPHY Betts, . Foundations of ·Reading Instruction The Elementary School Journal, Vol. 28, p. 242 ff. 34th Yearbook, p. 102 ff. 36th Yearbook, pp. pp. 6-9; pp. 25-27, National Society for the Study o( Education. NOTICE Since 1932 ACEBEDO OPTICAL COMPANY· 428 Rizal Ave. (front Ideal Theatre) has been supplying eye glasses to school children of poor parents, paid by different charitable institutions thru th e Bureau of Health until 1946. Now cames the Acebedo Optical Co. to offer the children and students of Manila and provinces minimum charges intended to rehabilitate the children's eyes. 90Rd m. m. Lens with Rd Metal Fmme or 38Rd Oxford celluloid., spherical & cylindrical FOR ONLY P12.90 all U.S.A. materials To Teachers: Nominal & Time payment plan 26C ~. ' I

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