What a wonderful message this author has to send to students. I have never heard of Myers before, but after seeing this video, I am sure to find a book of his and take a look for use in my future classroom. His message is a positive one, the instills self confidence into students. Being different is ok, and we all have things that make up different. As teachers, we know that self confidence is one major key to being successful in school, and by using Myers books this can show students that even though they are all different , it is who they are and they are all cool.
Another major thing for me, was when Myers talked about reading. He asked the class if they liked reading and most responded yes. One boy, shook his head no, and when asked why he said it was too hard. My heart sunk. This is a reality that many students hate reading because they are being frustrated in school, and most likely not given the appropriate levels, skills, strategies and interventions. I like how Myers answers by saying do you think it is always easy for me to write books? no, but sometimes challenging things are the most fun in the end!
I also thought it was great when Christopher Myers asked him whether if he thought it was easy to write books. It shows the students that life has it's challenges but these things will turn out to be worth it. It makes me happy to see that children's authors are willing to come into a classroom to share their books and their ideas about reading. If I were a student, I would find this very inspiring. It also makes me wonder if it would be possible to get an author or two to speak to my future class.
ReplyDeleteI know, I was thinking the same thing. I guess if you found a book that you read in class and really loved and felt inspiring you could write to the author and see if he/she were local or willing to come to a classroom.
ReplyDeleteMr. Myers had an energy and passion that was infectious. His honesty about his own perceived short-comings (i.e. being tall and having big feet), and his explanations about how everyone is unique and different helped students identify their own unique characteristics and realize that everyone is unique and different.
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