[andyhaus1057]

I've been asked to speak to a junior high class on the importance of developing good reading habits. The goal of this task is not only to motivate the students to develop good habuts but also to provide at least 3 tips they can use...

How does this sound? Are there any improvements in my speech that I can make?

In the era of technology, proficiency in reading is a must in order to compete favorably in today's job market. Having access to information through the Internet, radio, and television is important; however, reading books is still an absolute necessity. It is important to develop good reading habits early because reading frequently will sharpen your mind, and give you a sense of accomplishment as a good reader. The key to become a better reader is to strengthen cognitive skills such as auditory processing and memory. A reading habit is 'developed', it doesn't happen over night. When we are faced with something that seems overwhelming, it can be difficult to maintain a high level of interest and motivation. However, it is often said that it takes just six weeks to develop a lasting habit, but only two to break it. Besides motivating yourself with a series of external rewards, learn to motivate yourself internally. If you feel very overwhelmed, you can improve your motivation and your performance by breaking up the project into smaller sections. Tell yourself you enjoy giving your brain a good work out. Each time you accomplish one little bit successfully, give yourself a meaningful reward. It's very important that the reward take place soon after the work has been accomplished. This creates a sense of positive reinforcement. Give yourself a small reward every time you finish a small part of the job, and a bigger reward when the project is completed. If there is too long a gap between the activity and the reward, it will not have the effect of reinforcing the desired activity. To improve your reading skills, practice for about 15 to 30 minutes each day, checking your rate in words-per-minute. Also, remember that you're reading with a purpose. So focus on that purpose and the material. If you lose interest or keep losing your place, take a break or read something else. You can keep track of where you are by following along with your hand. This simple technique helps you focus and increase your concentration.

[WVHiflyer]

The only real addition I can think of is to not stress so much the speed of the reading, but the comprehension. While reading too slowly can cause problems (losing interest, being made fun of), the real purpose of reading is comprehension. Oh! And don't forget pleasure. A trashy novel may not count as literature, but it can be an enjoyable way to pass the time - like when they know they'll be waiting somewhere, take a book or mag along...



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