When I ask students why they don’t read on a regular basis, they always say their daily schedule is too full with no time to read. In fact, Beers’ (1998) study of aliterate students found that students’ most common reason for NOT reading was that they didn’t make time to read, not because they couldn’t read. That’s why I created a radical reading routine that shows students exactly how to schedule their time to finish required reading.
Here are 6 quick steps:
1. Print off the Radical Routine Chart.
2. Write in all major time commitments.
For example, class times, sports practice, scheduled work time, meal and sleep times.
3. Next, reserve time to read/study for each class. Make sure to be specific as to which class you
3. Next, reserve time to read/study for each class. Make sure to be specific as to which class you
are studying. It’s easy to brush off study time if you don’t identify the class.
For example, MATH from 4:00 – 4:20, not STUDY from 4:00 – 4:20.
4. Follow the 3x3 rule, which means you should study 20 minutes 3 days a week instead of studying one day for 60 minutes.
4. Follow the 3x3 rule, which means you should study 20 minutes 3 days a week instead of studying one day for 60 minutes.
For example, Math from 4:00 – 4:20 on Monday, Wednesday, Friday.
5. Then, list minor commitments like time spent with friends, time spent on facebook, watching TV, or taking naps.
6. Finally, put the schedule to the test. After each day, reflect on how the schedule worked. Did you reserve enough time to read? Did you miss any events that you need to add? Continue to adjust the schedule until you find a balance between school, work, and social time.
When students can control their schedule, stress disappears. Click here to discover ways students have taken control over their schedule. I would love to hear what you think about your radical reading routine. Leave your comments below or share your thoughts on my facebook wall.
5. Then, list minor commitments like time spent with friends, time spent on facebook, watching TV, or taking naps.
6. Finally, put the schedule to the test. After each day, reflect on how the schedule worked. Did you reserve enough time to read? Did you miss any events that you need to add? Continue to adjust the schedule until you find a balance between school, work, and social time.
When students can control their schedule, stress disappears. Click here to discover ways students have taken control over their schedule. I would love to hear what you think about your radical reading routine. Leave your comments below or share your thoughts on my facebook wall.
References:
Beers, K. (1998). Choosing not to read: Understanding why some middle schoolers just say no. In K. Beers & B.G. Samuels (Eds.), Into focus: Understanding and creating middle school readers (pp. 1–27). Norwood, MA: Christopher-Gordon.
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