A Response-Based Approach

There is a “horizon of possibilities” in everything we read. We find that when we read we think about what we are reading and then think about what we have read. In this we are expanding our initial thoughts about the story and then grow and expand what we know. When we think critically about what we read we can then learn new concepts and new ways of life. This writer explains that in education it is important to encourage our students to think consistently about what they are reading and what they are seeing day to day. However, the application of this concept is having a little difficulty. Like with any new concept we have to take some time to learn how to tell students about it and how to use it day to day.

The concept of “exploring a horizon of possibilities” means to “live through experience.” The idea of living through experience is something we all do but we don’t really think too much about it. If we were then we would see that we not only live through our experiences but we also gleam information off of other people and their experiences. We also gleam information from people in the books that we read. In a way we live the experience with the people in the books. In this way we are learning from their experiences and can find a “horizon of possibilities” through books. Books open up so many experiences that we cannot or would not want to try. For example you could read a story from the civil war times and learn what life was really like for people back then. I find that when I read I take a step into the world that I am reading and I try to take a few steps in the writers or narrators footsteps.