Lately, my daughter has become obsessed with Korean dramas.  She recently asked me if reading the subtitles constituted as reading.  I quickly said, "no!", but on second thought, have you seen how quickly those words move across the page?  As I have pondered her question, I have to be thankful that my 6th grader has the reading skills to keep up with the subtitles.  

Literacy is NOT just picking up a good book for entertainment (although it is a good place to start).  It's an opportunity that allows a child and adult to sharpen their intellect.  By simply reading, a person increases their vocabulary, comprehension, memory, and even their concentration skills!  Reading prevents boredom and allows your mind to create colorful characters that even a movie has a hard time producing.  It a form of entertainment that does not disappoint.  It gives you something to discuss in a circle of friends.  Reading provides you with the skills to interview for a job or order food off a menu.  The benefits of reading are endless!

So, the next time you pick up a book, magazine, or even menu, don't just look at it as a form of cheap entertainment.  Remember, reading is a privledge that opens the doors to an array of endless possibilities and we should be grateful to be literate.