Reading as Punishment

As a children’s librarian, I strongly disagree with Jacqueline Chanda’s use of reading as a punishment for unruly students. (“Emergency Teachers Recall Lessons of First Year on the Job” by Garry Abrams, June 19). Maybe it is something they dislike but she doesn’t seem to be trying very hard to reverse that idea. Has she ever tried reading aloud to her class or sharing books with them? She might be pleasantly surprised at the results. Teachers with a positive attitude toward reading can inspire their classes with that same attitude. I know my roommate and another friend did just that with their classes this year.

PAM CARLSON

Whittier