But I do think about it. I do let it annoy me. And I don't find the humor in it.
Book Nerd.
Why? Why do we call some one who loves reading a book nerd?
I mean we as librarians, reading teachers and even parents spend most of our child's early years trying to develop a love of reading only to turn around and call them a nerd when they profess to love reading.
This drives me nuts!
We think the athlete who uses his/her body for sports is sooooo cool.
But the kid that curls up in the corn with a good book, oh wait! They are a nerd.
Is this why in school libraries there's a major drop in students who check out books from the library starting in 5th grade?
Is this why I start fighting my 5th graders about mid year with a "yes, you have to check out a book.", "yes, the principal says you have too." Then they get smart and realize that after they have so many books out I won't let them check anymore out until they bring me the ones they already have. So what do they do? Stop returning their books so they don't have to get new books. The little brats cuties are smart. I'll give them that!
I know it's not the only reason for the decline but maybe we need to stop calling book lovers nerds. Maybe we need to celebrate the love of reading by calling it Book Cool (I know, it doesn't have the same ring). Or what about book lover? That's an oldy but goody phrase.
Or maybe I need to stop thinking about it and accept my nerdiness and teach students to love theirs too.
OR perhaps I'll starts new slogan and change the world!
Yep. We spend too much time in our culture making head banging cool and too little time making cerebral pursuits cool. We're raising thousands of kids whose cognitive skills are diminished through violent contact sports and through devaluing reading.
ReplyDeleteI think in some circles, even among kids, "book nerd" actually carries a certain cachet. Reading a lot indicates intellectual curiosity, which is a route to opportunity and power (and therefore "coolness"). It might depend on how comfortable less-bookish kids are with their own academic capabilities and potential as to whether they label a "book nerd" admiringly or derisively.
ReplyDeleteI will think about this as I observe my own students this year. Thanks for this food for thought!
I think in some circles, even among kids, "book nerd" actually carries a certain cachet. Reading a lot indicates intellectual curiosity, which is a route to opportunity and power (and therefore "coolness"). It might depend on how comfortable less-bookish kids are with their own academic capabilities and potential as to whether they label a "book nerd" admiringly or derisively.
ReplyDeleteI will think about this as I observe my own students this year. Thanks for this food for thought!
Oh, I think a book nerd has been reframed to have its own cache. I think we are all guilty of pigeon holing people by their abilities and interests. I have heard many a "nerd" call an athlete a dumb jock. There should be a way for everyone to celebrate their love of reading no matter what their other interests are.
ReplyDeleteI have always enjoyed calling myself a book nerd, but it's a good reminder that others (especially impressionable students) may not see the phrase in such a positive light. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
ReplyDeleteby the time they get to high school SO many of them have learned to embrace every flag they fly be it Nerd, Jock, or whatever. I think the middle school years are the hardest---hardest to live no matter what! I embrace it and make it cool. I rock my Nerdiness, baby.
ReplyDelete