Quite interested to find out what you read at various stages of your lifetime that made you an avid reader from the academics point of view?
I remember I would get little story books in adventure series when I was 6 and as I grew I got more interested in investigation stories like Nancy Drew and the hardy boys .. the English literature novels started coming my way as soon as I got into my teens .. Poetry never interested me and that is the reason i didnt do too well in any subject that was related to poetry !
But I think reading the likes of Nancy Drew and the Hardy boys , did strengthen my ability to grasp characters well. that helped tremendously at the secondary school .
What was your reading experience like ? please share
Reading that wins you accolades in Academics !
I never looked a reading just from the perspective of gaining academic accolades, it was always for fun. I grew up around books of every kind as both my parents were avid readers and lovers of literature and history. As a child of the 80's, I grew up reading all the Judy Blume, Beverly Cleary, Ronald Dahl & Laura Ingalls Wilder books. When I got bored of those, I started reading the books and classics assigned to my elder sisters in school, namely Dickens. By the 6th grade, I was reading/comprehending on a 12th grade level. I have done the same with my boys. They have grown up surrounded by books, newspapers, magazines etc. These are fundamental parts of our home. I don't care what they read (comics, textbooks, diary of a wimpy kid etc) as long as they READ! This is what their teachers and librarian at school have told me as well, as long as they are reading avidly everyday, don't dictate the content. Their likes and preferences will change and mature as they grow older. My main aim is to instill the love of reading and I believe the academic rewards will follow on their own.
Re: Reading that wins you accolades in Academics !
When studying for grades it can be stressful. The best learning done when there is no pressure. When you read for the heck of it. Hunger to learn new things.
Re: Reading that wins you accolades in Academics !
agreed that reading brings best results when it is done as a habit rather then focused on grades. But my question is more about planned reading , say for example, a child reads comics , magazines, stories what ever they like through the day but I would be keen to have 15 minutes of their attention reading something specific to challenge them .
I had that at home, my mom would pull out a book and get us to read stuff only for a few minutes but we did it every day . The books she chose were decided upon level of difficulty , theme etc
I am keen to find out what people read as they grew. Coz no doubt day to day reading did make a difference and will always do , but focused reading can give that extra push that can be translated into above average grades. I wonder if I am making any sense here or if I am able to put my thoughts across clearly :hinna:
Re: Reading that wins you accolades in Academics !
I understand what you're getting at CB, but I have to agree with Southie, that the best learning is done with their is no pressure. I do reading comprehension with my kids from grade appropriate work books, but that's it. After they finish any assigned homework, I give them some reading workbook activites (I buy Kumon workbooks and others from a teacher supply store) for another 15-20 minutes or so and then they are free to read or draw or do whatever.
Re: Reading that wins you accolades in Academics !
Thanks for sharing your experience Khatti. Kumon books that you mentioned are they differentiated by difficulty levels or are they just random reading material?