The last blog post I wrote I tried to cover all the information in the assignment. I’m not sure it turned out very well. This one I just answered the questions. Right or wrong I like this one better than the last one. The questions have to do with my reflections on my experiences as a reader.
1. Do you think of yourself as a "good reader"? Why or why not?
a. I don’t feel as if I am a good reader, I don’t seem to comprehend things nearly as well as others and never as fast as others. I need time to think about it. I cannot read well under pressure. If I have enough time I can do real well.
2. What texts do you like to read (comics, online texts, visual texts, specific genres of books)?
a. Most of the books I have enjoyed reading have been humorous story writers like Tom Bodett, Paul Harvey, and Patrick Mcmanus. I also read a lot of cowboy poetry. I enjoyed these because I wanted to read them, not because I had to read them. The only thing I needed to understand was the joke or the punch line. I can always see the punch line coming so it’s fun. Most everything I had to read I was worried I would have to answer questions about some dumb thing the teacher saw and I didn’t. Then I would have to feel stupid for not knowing what was going on.
3. On what occasions in your life did you really enjoy reading (either within school or outside of school) and why did you enjoy reading?
a. I read several books by John Maxwell on leadership and some books by Og Mandino. My wife was reading the same books and when we had both finished a book we could talk about it. This was about 6 years ago I did more reading in those few years than I have done my entire life. Four years ago when I broke my pelvis I quit most of my reading for enjoyment. It was hard to concentrate with all the pain pills I was on.
4. What times in your life did you really dislike reading (either within school or outside of school) and why did you dislike it?
a. I don’t think I ever enjoyed reading in school. Many times in grade school the teacher would do timed reading tests. I never had enough time to read the whole text so I never really knew the answers to the questions. It was much less frustrating to not try and get all the questions wrong than it was to try real hard and get all the questions wrong especially when everyone around me seemed to be getting it. Work hard for nothing or do nothing and get nothing. I just couldn’t see any incentive in reading. I felt dumb either way.
5. Did any sort of social networks (families, church groups, or friends) encourage you to read as a child?
a. My grandma bought books for me that had stories about me. Each month I got a new book that had a story about me and my brother and sister on a different adventure. I loved these books if somebody would read them to me but it only happened a few times. I still have them and I have read a few of them to my kids there is 15 books I’ve never read them all.
6. Did any social networks (e.g., friends who thought reading was nerdy) discourage you from reading?
a. I never saw any of my family reading when I was young. My Mom started to read a lot when I got into Jr. High about the time I finished college the first time I saw my Dad start to read a little bit. I never felt in was a necessity.
7. Based on your answers from the above questions, how can you foster a climate in your class where your students are interested in reading texts about your discipline?
a. If I talk about the reading before they read and get them excited about learning the subject matter I think they will do it. I’m still searching for the excitement in reading text books myself. This might be a trial and error thing on my part till I find the sweet spot.
8. How can you build up your students' self-perceptions of themselves as readers?
a. I hope I can give them a chance to succeed at reading. I never felt like I got anything out of reading so I didn’t do it.
I have read a leadership book by John Maxwell too! I really enjoyed it. I am like you, I only read when necessary or when it is something that interests me. The second I lose interest I have also lost the willpower to keep reading. However, I do believe that reading can help students become more complex thinkers, and help them in their future. I am just recently finding out what I actually enjoy reading about. I use to say I hate reading. Now I say I hate reading what everyone else is reading! Good thoughts Todd. By the way, I love the picture of you and your wife on your bikes. Very nice. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteVery nice insights into your reading likes and dislikes...the more in touch you are with your own process, the better you'll be able to work with your own students.
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