Pytash Ch.1

The author makes a good point when she states that common non reading activities should be used sparingly and should always be accompanied by a writing assignment. I remember reading difficult texts in high school but instead of completing writing assignments we often completed some of the non reading activities that Jago listed in the chapter. 

When talking to students in honors English classes they often read difficult texts and wrote several papers pertaining to the those texts. Thinking of this fact, I was surprised when Jago said, "Students who read below grade level and English language learners need to read more, not less, than their peers in honors classes." From reading this chapter, I can see how important it is for all students to read difficult texts, not just honors students.

Jago also brings up several good points in comparing pleasure reading and the study of literature. Most young adults can read YA lit on their own with little difficulty therefore, teachers should help them understand texts in which they have difficulty understanding on their own. This reminds me of  Ms.Hutchinson's videos in which students analyzed difficult texts through marking up the texts and actually thinking about the text while reading it. I feel that it is important for teachers to realize that reading should challenge students and make them think, it should be a difficult process, because this is the only way students will learn.