NOTE: If you are short on time, watch the video and complete this See, Think, Wonder activity: What did you notice? What did the story make you think? What would you want to learn more about?
SUMMARY
According to a recent study, reading for pleasure has fallen by 40% in the last 20 years, continuing a long-running downward trend. By many measures, reading skills for both students and adults continue to fall. Jeffrey Brown spoke with Elizabeth Alexander of the Mellon Foundation about a new effort to boost the world of words. It's part of News Hour's arts and culture series, CANVAS.
View the transcript of the story.
News alternative: Check out recent segments from the NewsHour, and choose the story you’re most interested in watching. You can make a Google doc copy of discussion questions that work for any of the stories here.
WARM-UP QUESTIONS
- Who is Elizabeth Alexander, and what is her background?
- When was the the Literary Arts Fund created?
- Why is reading under "tremendous pressure," according to Alexander?
- What challenges does the Literary Arts Fund hope to address?
- How does literature hold "super powers," according to Alexander?
ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS
- Why do you think reading for pleasure has fallen so much and what can be done to boost literacy in America? What does "reading for pleasure" mean to you?
- What do you think needs to be done to improve people's literacy skills?
- How could the different programs supported by the Literary Arts Fund help build stronger communities?
Media literacy: According to News Hour's Jeff Brown, the Mellon Foundation and other institutions have been the target of attacks from the right for their support of DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion). Alexander said the foundation is not backing down. Why do you think the News Hour decided to include this criticism (see screenshot from the story below)? How could you find out more?
Credit: PBS News Hour screenshot of an article criticizing the Mellon Foundation for its focus on DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion)
WHAT STUDENTS CAN DO
- Read Elizabeth Alexander's "Praise Song for the Day," which she read at Barack Obama’s presidential inauguration in 2009.
- Elizabeth Alexander stated: "How do these words make their way around? Someone's got to put them on paper. Someone's got to make them in book form. Someone's got to give spaces for there to be readings and workshops. Someone's got to make literary centers where people know that literature is valued."
- Watch the video again with a friend, neighbor or family member. Then read the quote above and brainstorm responses to the question Alexander posed: how do these words make their way around? Who are all the different individuals and groups that contribute to the sharing of literature? What obstacles do you think they face? What are the benefits of working in the world of literature?
- Watch the video below to learn more about the Miami Book Fair. Check out their YouTube page here. Why do you think the fair has been such a success? What is it that draws thousands of people to the fair each year?
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