One of the many time thieves in our lives is slow reading. There are times for slow, no-rush, no-worries reading. However, there are other times we are reading as if we had all the time in the world--but only because we don't know how to read quickly. Follow the ideas in this article (and share them with your students) to be able to read and retain only those portions of an informational (non-fiction) book that suit your needs.
1. First, ask (and answer) 'What is my purpose for reading?'
2. Write down your purpose on a bookmark. An index card works great for this.
3. Make sure the book is "broken in," i.e., that you gently open the book at the center and press it, open at the ¼ and ¾ portions and press it, etc. Your books will last longer and be easier to use if you do this when you get the book.
Note: People new to my workshops laugh and think I'm kidding when I hand out books and then make sure that they "open their new books properly." My regular participants starting doing so without my asking--and are very proud of themselves, may I say!
4. Read the introduction, if there is one. This helps you get a general sense of the book.
5. Survey the table of contents, noticing what is of interest to you, given the purpose you have noted on your bookmark.
6. Revise your purpose, as needed. Sometimes what we thought we were going to read about isn't what the book is about--and so we need to reframe our purpose.
7. Set a timer for one hour, go to an appropriately quiet reading spot and read *only* what you perceive to be the most valuable. Note: By the time you get to setting a timer, you may have already decided that this book isn't for you, after all.
8. Whichever parts you are reading, read fast! Just speed up your eyes! Your brain is perfectly capable of staying with you, I promise.
9. Read with a pencil or pen in your hand. Post-it® notes are useful as well.
10. Jot down key words or mind map as you go. When you finish, take a look at your notes and/or mind map. Add additional thoughts, words, ideas, or sentences to what you have already written. Think about what you have learned and how you will apply this information.
Dr. Joe Vaughn, one of my mentors in graduate school (I have a Ph.D. in Reading Education & Linguistics) said, "Reading is an event of thinking cued by text." Let this definition serve you. Let the text cue your thinking about the topic. Imagine reading 5 - 10 or more books a week. You can.
As a teacher, you need--and want--to stay current on areas related to your content and expertise. Use these ideas to do that, without spending hours and hours each week.
Educators have the most influential positions in our society--and need every bit of support that can be mustered. Two resources that will help increase educators' sense of peaceful, predictable productivity are Meggin's weekly emails:
**Top Ten Productivity Tips
**Keys to Keeping Chaos at Bay
(c) 2007 by Meggin McIntosh, Ph.D., "The Ph. D. of Productivity"(tm)
Through her company, Emphasis on Excellence, Inc., Meggin McIntosh changes what people know, feel, dream, and do via seminars, workshops, writing, coaching, and consulting.
