Five Strategies for Reading Professional Resources
As I shared earlier this week, we may be fortunate to have discovered more time in our lives. Yet experiencing success with new tasks doesn't happen without some strategies. Next are five approaches I utilize when reading professionally, such as during the recent book study.
1. Define your purpose for reading
We won't remember everything from the text, so what specific understandings do we want to build? In Engaging Literate Minds, I wanted to become more knowledgeable about primary literacy instruction (the lowest grade I taught was 3rd before becoming a principal). My reading was more focused with that purpose in mind.
2. Read with a pen in hand
In addition to mentally preparing myself with a purpose for reading, I take an active role as a reader by having a pen, pencil, or highlighter on hand. I can underline the information that is addressing my questions related to my purpose. Also, I can respond in writing to that section in the margins to start a dialogue regarding the authors' ideas and my understanding.
3. Keep annotations brief
With Engaging Literate Minds, there were so many ideas to capture. Having a purpose for reading was essential. In addition, the margins can become cluttered if I am writing too much of a response. So I follow the "5 and 5" rule: No more than five words underlined and no more than five words written. (As you can see in the image, the rule is more guidance.) The point to be made is: when reading, it is not (yet) the time to write.
4. Bookmark the best parts
What ideas were essential to my purpose for reading the text? Which pieces will I want to come back to and include in my own practice and/or writing? I want to find these points in the text with ease. I used to dog ear texts, but I get uncomfortable "bending" the page, so now I use book darts (see image above).
5. Respond to the text through discussion and by writing
Books are meant to be talked about. Each reader constructs a unique meaning. By sharing our thinking about the text through a conversation online (for example, here) and through writing, we encourage comments, sharing, and creating a collective understanding. Transforming our ideas into language extends our thinking to new minds and helps us see our ideas more objectively. They are now in a different context, beyond one space. They belong to everyone.
What do you find effective when reading professional resources? Please share in the comments.
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