When I was teaching I once used a report card program with preset comments for teachers to enter with students' grades. I'm sure you can guess what phrases were available: Student works well with others, excessive absences are affecting student performance, etc.
If I were to grade myself today I would enter the comment "Student has difficulty completing a task." The last two books I have started I have not finished because I am such a SLOW reader and the library deadlines always get me. My main problem is that as soon as I begin reading my mind starts to wander. I usually think about things I would like to get done or I get sleepy and end up taking a nap. There are books that I can get lost in but they're usually silly "beach books" that I don't want to read on a regular basis.
Today I started reading Persuasion by Jane Austen since I had to return my last failed attempt to the library. I think I might actually finish this one since it's for a book club and the accountability usually keeps me motivated. But the last 48 hours before book club can also be filled with frantic reading to finish in time.
I know some of you have always been quick readers and can't explain why it comes so easily to you. Or are there people who have struggled like me and somehow found a trick that helps? I feel kind of silly writing about this since I was a teacher but the strategies I know for reluctant readers mostly involve drawing pictures or other creative activities that aren't appropriate. Any ideas?
11 comments:
Sorry no idea's here, but I totally feel you. I'm a TERRIBLE reader... which is why I don't do it much. I have to read things over and over again because I'm not thinking about what I'm reading.
Good luck!
I gave up reading a long time ago and now enjoy reading only occasionally. I now listen to audioboks instead. The great part is, you can rewind. Also if your a cheapskate like me, then you wont want ot pay for downloading aduio books. Well they have them at the library. I copy them to my computer then sync them to my ipod, and then delete them when Im done. The CD's go back to the library on time but im still listening for a while. Also any book that is typically a classic is old enough that the copyright has run out and it is now in the public domain. These can be downloaded for free from Librivox.org happy listening!
I'm right there with you, I read pretty slow and my mind goes all over the place. The library does allow you to extend your due date online (a tool I have used often), you just need the number on your card and your pin #. I try to rotate the type of books I read 1 purely for enjoyment, then 1 book that is informational, educational, or self-help (or something like that). That way I don't get borred although I do sometimes throw in 2 fun books before the next educational one. By the way, if you haven't read Grace by Richard Paul Evans, it's great! Another tool you can use online is to put a hold on a book you want to read and when it's available they'll send it to the library of your choice.
If a book doesn't keep my attention I usually just don't finish it. I have LOTS of books that I've started and quit. I figure if I'm just reading for fun there's no reason to torture myself. Though there are some books like for book club that I really want to finish, and if I'm not that interested, I skim them. I'll skip a page here and there and just get the main points. I really enjoy Jane Austen, but I can't get into them by reading--I have to listen to them. Though maybe now that I've listened to a few, I could read them. Who knows. Anyway, those are my thoughts...
:)
Collin's psychologist claims that she reads while on her exercise bike. Apparently it is the only way she can stay awake while reading!
Sometimes I just skim. At first it was hard because I thought I was missing a lot of the story, so I would go back to the paragraphs or pages I skipped, only to find that I didn't really miss anything. I don't skim everything, but sometimes its necessary for me to get through a book - especially older classics like Austen.
Oh and congrats on baby #2! So exciting!
Hey, congratulations on the little news. Do you know the sex yet? Glad to see you are all doing well. In response to your question, my recovery was about 3 weeks. I now have full use of my hand...and the scar looks awesome!!
I am the EXACT same way! I totally get distracted - especially if I'm not into the book that much. I wasn't always like that, but as life grows more crazy, it's becoming harder for me! I like to listen to books on tape as well. It's great when you're cleaning or exercising. Good luck!
I actually finished reading a full book for the first time in two years! I completely understand... and David doesn't help. When he was in Jr. High he had a class on speed reading and can read an entire book in a day. I would love to take a speed reading class... and think they should teach that in all schools.
I have always been a slow reader...my mom and Jenny can finish a book in 3-4 days and it takes me 4-6 weeks. I thought for a long time it was because I like to relish in the story and remember the parts I really like. In fact, I will reread several paragraphs if I like them or just want to soak in the "moment." I do know I read better when its quiet, I'm not tired, and I find in interesting, but it's hard to get all three of those to line up.
Congrats on the new baby coming and thanks for your sweet comments about our new little one.
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