s3 self reflective reading
This booklet is aimed at slightly older pupils to promote higher order thinking in relation to their reading. Bloom’s Taxonomy was created in 1956 under the leadership of educational psychologist Dr Benjamin Bloom in order to promote higher forms of thinking in education, such as analyzing and evaluating concepts, processes, procedures, and principles, rather than just remembering facts (rote learning).
Utilising strategies from this booklet will give you a deeper understanding of the texts you are reading. Pre and post reading activities will help you gain a greater insight into the themes of your texts which in turn will benefit your greatly when it come to those exams!
Download your booklet from the link above and then take a look at all the great reasons that support just why reading is so important to us all!
Why read?
1. Fun
First of all, reading is fun, honest! With the large variety of genres, there’s something for everyone. Fancy some action? A drama in which you can find characters to identify with, because you feel sad and lonely? Something more down-to-earth, like a reportage about a country or a historical period you’re interested in? Just find the right shelf at the library and Mrs Baird will help!
2. A workout for you brain
Your body needs movement. That means your brain needs movement, too. And I don’t mean it needs to be moved from your house to school every morning, together with the rest of your body. Moving your head in space is not enough. All that is inside of it needs to be shaken a bit too. It has been proven that reading has a great effect on our brains. It’s demanding in the neurological way, requires concentration and intellectual activity.
3. Unforgettable moments
I am not only talking about the moments spent with a book. As you read, you memorize many things. You try to store in your mind all the facts you find while reading. You follow the plots, get to know the characters, remember the details. All of that is a great exercise for your memory. Memory is not like a plastic bag. It’s not limited and won’t overflow once you put enough things inside of it. The more stuff you place there, the bigger it becomes.
4. Shaping personality
Personality is not something you are born and blessed or cursed with forever, till the end of your days. Yes, there are tendencies hard to get rid of, patterns being repeated, mistakes we just can’t help but making all over again. But can’t we, really?
5. Effect on relationships
Through reading we get to know countless characters. We get inside of their lives, follow their stories, see the places they have seen, experience what they have experienced. Articles on people from faraway countries makes you more tolerant towards other cultures, psychological novels- more understanding in the contacts with people from your environment. A reader won’t judge another person easily. A reader knows there’s always more to people than what the first page shows. Empathy, empathy, empathy!
6. Knowledge
Reading is learning. Whatever you read, whether it’s a sloppy, slushy snog-fest or a series of scientific articles, you always gain new information. One day it can turn out to be fruitful. Besides, being well-read, working on your knowledge and intellectual capacities also makes you more self-confident…and totally cool!
7. Analytical skills
Analysing the story, making an effort to understand the behaviour of characters, trying to solve puzzles and uncover mysteries – all of that engages and develops your critical and analytical thinking just like Mr Bloom says!
8. Concentration
We spend our days doing so many things at the same time. Laptop in front of your eyes with an adorable cat jumping all around the screen, messages from friends popping out from different places – emails, snapchat, Skype, a classmate speaking on the other side of the room, all the homework on your desk glaring at you and reminding they need to be completed YESTERDAY!… Reading requires concentration. You do one thing only. Many people, even if they want to, can’t concentrate anymore. Reading is a great way to work on your ability to concentrate, which increases productivity. Though, perhaps I should have put this at number one for those who could not concentrate enough to get here!
9. Relaxation technique
Have you ever felt so tense to the point you dreamt of escaping your life for a while? Surprise: you actually can. You don’t even need a one-way ticket to the other side of the world. A gripping novel can take you all the way to another dimension. A good article might focus all your attention and allow you to forget your troubles for a moment. Many people overthink their problems, while what they need is a break, so that they could go back to searching for a solution with a clear, relaxed mind.
10. Inspiration
Fictional characters can be a source of inspiration just like people met in the real life. You can learn from them, get influenced by their words and actions. Same with places, events and facts described in what you read. Let’s say you come across a book on Japanese culture or a novel with a main character who is a carpenter. Next day you might find yourself studying Japanese or designing wooden chairs in techie.
11. Saving the world
Sounds too much? It isn’t. What this world needs the most are educated, open-minded, self-aware people, inspired and full of ideas. Reading surely creates such people, especially when it’s done in a varied way, with openness for different topics and concepts. Why shouldn’t it be you!
Please let Mrs Baird know if you need any help with your book selection on completing your booklet.
excerpt from: http://theunboundedspirit.com/11-reasons-why-you-should-read-books-every-day
Accessed [19.5.17]
