2. Before You Begin

Think back on the last 24 hours. What did you read and what was your purpose for reading? List everything you read in the first column of a two-column chart. Then list your purposes for reading in the second column.

Questions: How many items did you read for pleasure? Work? Family related matters? Other? Now imagine your life if you were able to read only a portion of the items that you listed.
Woman Reading a Book*
Reading purposes
Good readers read for a purpose. They read to
  • learn about something (newspaper, magazine, website).
  • research a subject or study for a test (textbook, driver's manual).
  • be entertained (novel, comic book).
  • learn how to do something (cookbook, instructional manual).
  • find specific information (as in looking for the due date on a bill, finding details on the charges on a doctor's statement, or checking the TV listings).
Good readers scan for information. They speed up or slow down according to their familiarity with the text. 
  • When hunting for restaurants in the White Pages, good readers will quickly scan a page. 
  • Looking for an answer in a book, good readers will skim until they find it. 
  • Reading medical advice for their child, they will slow down to make sure they understand all the terminology.
Whatever their purpose for reading, comprehension is the goal.
Required: Read the following text from Applying Research in Reading Instruction for Adults by Susan McShane. (Chapter 7, p. 72-73.)

* Woman Reading a Book Image byPetr Kratochvil (Public domain pictures)Share on facebook

32 comments:

Queen Of My Castle said...

I do not have the book and there isn't an online option here. I have to say that I can't imagine my life without reading or driving!

tutorgirl said...

This section noted some of the reasons why we read....learn, research, entertainment, how to do something. It also noted that we first scan text rather than reading word for word. I find that to be true for myself and am lucky to be blessed with good and speedy scanning skills. However, my retention and understanding of text can be lower.

Biltz said...

I was able to find the link to the book, but not to the specific section referenced.
However, I can imagine that there are literally hundereds of opportunities and reasons to read in every single day. Non-readers must work ten times harder than readers to navigate through life.

BOC said...

Today I have read for the following reasons:
1. To be sure I'm taking the right prescription.
2. To do my taxes
3. To find an address in the phone book.
4. To make something for dinner.
5. While driving - signs etc.
I'm sure there are many more!

lillian said...

I found the book on line but no page numbers so I scanned for the purposes for reading. There are many - from necessary directions to self satisfaction.

Pat said...

I do not have the book

Jenny said...

That is very interesting--especially the frustation one feels when comprehension is difficult. I am sure that people often give up, believing that learning to undestand is impossible.

(I found a pdf file of the book through a google search)

jack said...

I do not have the book.

jack said...

I do not have the book.

Ms. Ovette said...

Completed section in book.

Lisa said...

Reading for pleasure is quite a different task from reading for work, information and research. Most of the time, the latter three tasks require the advanced skill of indexing and skimming for the identified information. These skills are taught and applied in graduate business schools. There is such a flood of information out there that one must learn to sift quickly through hundreds of books and periodicals to find the information he needs to get the job done. This is something I would avoid teaching to someone who can hardly read to begin with. I would rather focus on the joy of reading and the value it brings in teaching interesting and useful things to a general reader.

Dixie Lee said...

The book, "Applying Research in Reading Instruction for Adults by Susan McShane" looks very interesting and I would like to order a copy of it so that I can but also have the book to read to further my efforts to learn how to tutor, continue learning and use as reference material. How do I order this book?

Sally M said...

I wwas not able to download the reading item. but I read all the time and enjoy all different genre.

JWKing said...

Wow! There is so much to learn. It's just not phonics!

JWKing said...

Wow! There is so much to learn. It's just not phonics!

Marian said...

Very good activity to realize just how much you read. So far I have read:
1. a novel for pleasure
2. today's forecasted temperature and exercise program guide on TV
3. the local grocery store special ads and to determine mail status - junk or otherwise
4. to check messages on my cell phone
and I have written in my journal and written these blogs. I can't imagine functioning without reading and writing!

Merrybird said...

Could the tutor begin with the pepper story earlier without waiting for the third or fourth session? Merrybird

Merrybird said...

The student in the videos speaks in complete sentences without any "you knows", "likes", stammering, or other communications barriers. He seems to be an intermediate rather than beginning reader. Merrybird

Unknown said...

[Stopping for today (2 hours).]

In the last 24 hours I read for entertainment ("Vanity Fair" magazine); to learn more about Lionel Logue, after watching the movie "The King's Speech"; and to find out how tall the flowers I bought would grow so I'd know where to plant them.

I found this discussion of comprehension scary and helpful. I didn't realize there was this whole other level of skill to be addressed. It's not just about reading the words...

Unknown said...

"I frequently hear adults struggling to read, one word at a time, with absolutely no comprehension. This must be terribly frustrating. You want to reach out and help but it would only add to their embarassment.

neg said...

I take reading for granted. Now knowing all the parts that comprise it I've got to thank some school teachers.

SNelson said...

For me there are times when I have to re-read a sentence or paragraph to grasp what the reader is trying to say. I sometimes have to do more research, but I enjoy the chase if it is something I really what to understand or know.

Martha said...

This process has opened my eyes to many things I take for granted, such as the ability to read for a variety of reasons. To be able to pick up a book or magazine to read for pleasure or to learn how to do something (as in directions). Also to have the ability to scan a bill for the due date rather than having to struggle through it word for word to find the information I need. It must be so frustrating and difficult to navigate through daily tasks for those with low literacy skills.

Anonymous said...

I am constantly reading, whether it be for pleasure, religious material, or just plan news. I simply love to read.

lizbeth rakaczky said...

I can't imagine how frustrating life would be if I could not comprehend words that I see everyday. It would be discouraging and put me in humiliating situations.

Anonymous said...

After reviewing my list I don't know how I would function without reading. From the time I wake up, until the time I go to sleep, with my professional and with my personal life, reading is a necessity.

JonS said...

It's unclear which part(s) of pp. 72-73 are expected to be read.

Unknown said...

I think of myself as being very intelligent but I don't comprehend everything but I have a thirst for knowledge so I keep pushing ahead until I figure it out but if I don't have the time I find someone who understands it and can break it down in laymen's terms.

Unknown said...

Learning how to discern someone isn't "getting it" when most of the time I get it without even thinking about the process will require increased sensitivity on my part. I want to be able to train myself to tell when the learner is having a comprehension challenge.

Anonymous said...

I firmly believe that as a reading tutor, I will absolutely need to monitor a student's non-verbal communication as an indication of comprehension!

Unknown said...

Having read the required material, I understand that various techniques are required in adult reading along with various assessments for progress. There is no one set way to teach every student - we must work toward their goals and desires.

MSTATEN said...

Very informative... I never really noticed that we comprehend in different ways for different reasons. I definitely plan to implement the hierarchy of comprehension skills when needed.