The Struggles of a Reluctant Reader

Special article written by guest blog writer, Robert A. Brennan, Jr., M.D.

My first memories of reading involve Sister Mary Anthony. She became upset because I could not read the word “rag.” Throughout grade school I did not understand the need for phonics. I memorized the appearance and pronunciation of words. Later, I memorized their spelling. My older sister, Ann, tried to help me with my reading. She instructed me to read phrases and not words. She also said not to point with my fingers while reading.

During high school, I read rather slowly without much purpose. I just dove in and plodded along. I slowly understood the meaning of what I read. A great deal of the time, I read and reread until I comprehended the meaning of the text.

In early college, I discovered the SQ3R Method. This grew out of an elaborate program (1946, E. S. Robinson) at the Ohio State University designed to analyze and treat academic problems:

1. The “S” involves surveying the heading of what one is about to read.

2. The “Q” step involves formulating questions about the material. If there are questions at the end of a chapter, this step involves reading them before one starts reading the chapter.

3. The first “R” involves reading to remember. One should notice italicized words or phrases. One should read everything: tables, graphs, and illustrations.

4. The next “R” involves reciting the synopsis of what one has read. One should pay attention to principal ideas and main headings. One should correct his mistakes and keep his attention to task.

5. The final “R” involves review. One should do this immediately after the first read and one or two reviews in between before the information is needed. These steps were enough for awhile.

However, I felt that I needed increased speed for the reading part of the SQ3R Method. In addition to my courses, I took a night course from the DeCoursey Reading Institute. This involved flashing words and phrases on a screen with a tachy projector or tachistoscope, an apparatus for use in exposing visual stimuli, as pictures, letters, or words, for an extremely brief period, used chiefly to assess visual perception or to increase reading speed. This did not seem to help. However, with my other courses looming, perhaps I did not devote enough time to increasing my reading speed.

Later, I purchased the Evelyn Wood Course in Speed Reading (1988, American Learning Corporation). This was a home-study course. Again, this course did not seem to increase my reading speed.

I purchased another course form the Nightingale-Conant Corporation. This was Mega Speed Reading (1996, Howard Stephen Berg and Kevin Trudeau). The main fact I learned from this course was to use one’s hand under the text to increase speed. One reads phrases and sentences but not words.

The next method that I tried was the Reading Focus Card (2009, Brennan Innovators, LLC). This is a textured card that blocks out and isolates text. It uses different filters to enhance reading comprehension and block out distractions. The RFC increased my comprehension and my memory. Although it did not increase my speed, I found the RFC to be very helpful in keeping my place in the text and when reading from a computer screen. In the morning, I often eat my cereal with one hand and use the other hand with the RFC to read my daily paper.

If I really need to review and remember the information, I write out 3” X 5” cards with the information and review these cards often.

Currently, I use a combination of all of the above methods. However, my search continues.

Dr. Robert A. Brennan, Jr. is a successful OB-Gyn physician with more than 30 years experience. He is currently practicing in the Greater St. Louis Area.

For information on customizable reading tools:
www.FocusandRead.com Tools for struggling readers of all ages!
www.BrennanInnovators.com Info & support for struggling readers
314-892-3897

Photo courtesy of: http://classroomclipart.com/clipart-view/Clipart/Medical/medical_20_jpg.htm

ADHD? The Right Study Tools Can Make All the Difference!

Don’t like to study? Feel overwhelmed with the amount of reading you need to cover? Can’t concentrate when it is time to study? You are not alone! However, you might benefit from some new tips, strategies, and resources that could make your study routine ---less routine and MORE productive. How? Just take a look at what we suggest.

Arrange for the following needs to be met BEFORE a study session begins:

A. Study Environment: Create a space consistent and conducive to good study and that satisfies your learning style. To do this, consider one or more of the following:

1. Lighting---Low lighting can actually be appropriate for some learners.

2. Seating/study surface---A desk and chair with good support are recommended, but some learners can study more effectively with soft furniture such as bean bag chairs, etc.

3. “Comfort colors”---Soothing colors in the immediate surroundings can be therapeutic and induce relaxation. However, bright colors can be stimulating and promote more attention to work.

4. Structure & organization---Keeping to a set time for study is usually a good idea. Storing completed written work in folders or binders with dividers can help with organization and keep you current with assignments.

5. Sound---Wordless, instrumental music or nature sounds conducive to study can be effective.

6. Short breaks with water and/or healthy snacks---For some younger students, 5-minute breaks at 15 minute intervals can be beneficial. For older children and teens, a break of a few minutes every hour or so is usually helpful.

B. Study Tools: Consider one or more of the following items when attention is an issue:

1. Appropriate supplies---Have the proper supplies needed to study---sharpened pencils, good erasers, enough paper, pocket folders or binders, etc. should always be kept at hand for a good and productive study session.

2. Appropriately charged/connected hardware---Be sure to charge up your tech devices prior to study time.

3. Index cards—manually and/or digitally created---Keep a supply of 3” x 5” index cards (lined or unlined) for making quick study tools that are customized to the student’s learning style.

4. Overlays---If visual stress caused by white page backgrounds of printed media is an issue, try overlays (colored, transparent sheets). A particular color may produce better results and help you experience more reading comfort and success.

5. Focusing tools---If focus and concentration are issues, try tools that isolate a line(s) of text and block out surrounding text. Focus cards will provide this assistance for many distracted readers.

6. Tactile manipulatives---Having something soft (or firm, depending on personal preference) in one’s hand to manipulate during study times can be soothing and promote better concentration and retention of the content studied. These tactile manipulatives help with relaxation and concentration (good for tactile and kinesthetic learners.

7. Recording device---Recording history facts, dates or other content, especially when memorization is involved can be very beneficial. Listen to the recordings at times that are not mentally taxing (while preparing for bedtime, dressing for the day, taking a walk, driving/riding in the car, etc. (This can be especially helpful for auditory learners.) The results of this can be surprisingly beneficial.

In addition, you might find the following online resources to be helpful for improving your study strategies:

Resources and Strategies for Effective Study

10 Tips for Good Study Skills
http://www.familycorner.com/education/study_habits.shtml

Tips on How to Study---from Dartmouth College (includes printable handouts)
http://www.dartmouth.edu/~acskills/success/study.html

Study and Success Strategies-from the Berkeley Student Learning Center
http://slc.berkeley.edu/study-and-success-strategies

Thinking about these aspects of a student’s study environment, use of the right tools to enhance the study experience, and strategies for good study can mean all the difference in the world when test time approaches. Having prepared completely will yield great results. All the best for study success, students!

For more information:
www.FocusandRead.com Tools for struggling readers of all ages!
www.BrennanInnovators.com Info & support for struggling readers
314-892-3897

Clip art courtesy of: http://school.discoveryeducation.com/clipart/category/stud2.html