If a student’s current habits include disorganization, low grades, and/or feelings of being overwhelmed, then NOW is the time to step in and break the pattern. When a sports team is in a slump the coach uses drills to boost player’s abilities in the fundamentals and pep talks to boost their self esteem. That is exactly what a struggling student needs!

I would like to share a fundamental drill with you this month. A daily time of reading! And NOT some ‘boring’ book, but something that engages the mind and interest, and transports the reader INTO the setting they are reading about. Yes, I know, many struggling students do not ‘like’ to read, and THIS is where the challenge of matching their interest and reading level is one that needs to be met. Look for books of interest that have large print and space between the rows of sentences. Nothing is wrong with an ‘easy reader’ when we are simply looking for pleasure. When a book can ‘run like a movie’ in your head, then you know that challenge has been met.

A half hour of reading for pleasure before our head hits the pillow for sleep is a wonderful life habit that will help to increase self confidence and pleasure in life! Experiencing pleasure in recreational reading improves skills for required reading. There is less of a dread toward the written word. There is more exposure to new vocabulary. And most obviously, there is improvement in reading ability just from the pure practice of it

So help your student and maybe even yourself—go in search of a FUN book to read! Then read it everyday!

barrettdesigns.com