Readicide

In Kelly Gallagher’s, “Readacide,” he goes into a deep and thoughtful process of detailing how schools around the nation are killing the love of reading for students. He proposed in his introduction that the word Readicide should be added to the dictionary. His definition of the word being, ““the systematic killing of the love of reading, often exacerbated by the inane, mind-numbing practices found in schools.” He goes on to focus on how schools are doing this and how the students are responding. His stance on the issue is really mind-boggling because he is factual in what he says.
Gallagher believes that teachers are not offering the tools to students to become lifelong readers. He states many times that students in high school are vulnerable to flat and dull readings they are offered in school. He argues that teachers should not be so critical on teaching for standardized tests, but instead tend to what the students like. My take on the matter is that students are gaining knowledge by just reading alone, so why not allow students to find out what they like to read about and lend a hand with this area. As English teachers, it is our duty to get our students to fall in love with reading. We should not be boring them to death with reading, they should not be reluctant readers to novels that we think they will like. Instead, the students should be enthusiastic when we bring the new novel into the class.
Something has to change in the way that teachers are exploring options to get their students to read. Gallagher says to ask any kindergarten, 5th grade, and 12th-grade teachers. They will all be the same in saying that their students do not like to read. The way that we push test practicing reading on our students, teachers should offer novels and short stories that the students would enjoy reading. Readicide is a real thing and it’s our duty as future teachers to put a stop to this trend.