ADVANCED ENGLISH QUESTION #2

[Mr.Daley]

Hello!

The most frustrating thing as an educator (and one of the biggest challenges) is how to help students become more intelligent, more knowing, more able to communicate using a broader vocabulary, more able to comprehend increasingly complicated material, more able to research and write, when students do not read or havent read on their own.

Being able to do all of those things well NOW will help you out immensely NOW and LATER, but some wont see that until they are in college or mid-twenties.

So, this brings me to QUESTION (prompt) NUMBER 2.

I think most people who do not like to read, deep down, understand the benefits of reading and can think of people who do read a lot and have excellent grades because they are smart - which, more than likely, has to do with the fact that they read often.

So, I think we all need to get motivated to break through all the excuses and the become motivators and role models for the rest of the school. This, I feel, should be the job of intelligent people everywhere - to promote thinking. And since you are the elite 7 (yes, there are 7 of you left. You will be the top 7 in your class!), we can do our best to help.

So, let us make a list of the benefits of reading. List 5 benefits of reading WITHOUT REPEATING anything listed in any previous posts. To complete this, I would like you to research your answers, so you can see for yourself the benefits. Post the web addresses you used to find your benefits. It is ok to have more than one reference.

Ok, here is what will make this post great. Your parent or guardian must post a response to another list found in this post. In your parent or guardian's response, I would like to see what their opinion is on the benefits of reading they see in their jobs and everyday lives. School should be a community experience, so this is a good way to get parents involved. Help your parent or guardian log in and show them around while you are here on the forum!

Please write your full name in your post.

Use my model as a template for your answer.

Posting your 5 benefits and responding to one post will fulfill the MODULE 4 - RESEARCH ASSIGNMENT.  

[Mr.Daley]

  Mr.Daley found these benefits!

1) If we develop a habit reading we will become more confident and self assured in abilities to comprehend and understand all types of information.

2) Your mind begins to bend and flex mentally, It stays lose and limber so to you can flow easier through the course of the day - things become easier in all content areas.

3) When the mind is trained and channeled through reading, it begins to pay attention more thoroughly.

4) All people, great and small, have learned more things by reading than any other way. The people that are teaching you to do things, learned so by reading. To learn anything new, you must read.

5) Finally, when we develop  a habit of reading, we are building solid foundation on which to build. This foundation of reading will allow us to accomplish many goals and ambitions we have for our lives.

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http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Benefits-of-Reading&id=1077342

[Eli]

Elizabeth Eiko Lowery
These are the benfits that I found from research.

Reading improves your vocabulary: Remember in elementary school when you learned how to infer the meaning of one word by reading the context of the other words in the sentence? You get the same benefit from book reading. While reading books, especially challenging ones, you will find yourself exposed to many new words you wouldn’t be otherwise.

Gives you a glimpse into other cultures and places of the world: How would you know about the life of people in Mexico if you don’t read about it? Reading gives you an insight into the diversity of ethnicity of people, their customs, their lifestyles etc. You become more aware about the different places and the code of conduct in those places.

Improves concentration and focus: It requires you to focus on what you are reading for long periods. Unlike magazines, Internet posts or e-Mails that might contain small chunks of information, books tell the whole story. Since you must concentrate in order to read, like a muscle, you will get better at concentration.

Improves creativity: Reading about diversity of life and exposing yourself to new ideas and more information helps to develop the creative side of the brain as it imbibes innovation into your thinking process.

Improves memory: Many studies show if you don’t use your memory, you lose it. Crossword puzzles are an example of a word game that staves off Alzheimer’s. Reading, although not a game, helps you stretch your memory muscles in a similar way. Reading requires remembering details, facts and figures and in literature, plot lines, themes and characters.

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http://www.inewsindia.com/2008/09/29/10-benefits-of-reading/

[Sarah:)]

Sarah Elizabeth Wiggers found these results

1)It's relaxing: It's a proven fact that focusing on words ordered for pleasure is for some odd reason relaxing. Maybe the reason it is relaxing is because the rhythm and the flow of the words.
2)Stress relief:When reading, it takes your mind away from your own problems. Some hospitals use reading to fight the battle of depression and relaxing them from their anxiety.
3)Reduces boredom As you read, the plot becomes more interesting, kind of like the effect of television. Instead of just being bored, why not read a popular novel to kill time?
4) Stimulates the right side of the brain:  reading opens your mind to new and exciting ideas. It can stretch your imagination to many different lengths. It helps you think of questions such as..."what if I was in there shoes, what would I do?"
5) Entertaining: books can create many emotions in your mind, the same different movie genres can. It could literally make you "lol", or possibly make you weep uncontrollably. The options are endless!



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http://www.buzzle.com/editorials/8-22-2005-75260.asp

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http://www.theapple.com/topics/3594-7-benefits-of-reading-fiction/posts

[colelewis1]

Cole Thomas Lewis 8)found these benefits!

1)Reading is an active thinking process: In stead of sitting in front of the TV you could be reading books that will make you think more and make you more intelligent.
2)Reading improves your vital skills: Every class that you take in high school and college has a book that matches that subject.  Reading can help clarify manuals and instructions in the real world.
3)Reading builds your self-esteem: The more you read about a subject you become more confident about the topic the read about.  People will look at you for answers about that subject, so you end feeling even better about yourself.
4)Reading helps your discipline: If you read you must be determined because it is so easy just to flip on the TV.  Everyone should have some time to read everyday, because that means that you are determined to learn something, and that will help your discipline a lot.
5)Reading can change your life: Reading a book that inspired you can make a change in your life.  For instance if you read a book were someone's habits caused something bad to happen to them, and if you have the same habits you could change your habits around so that won't happen to you in the furture.

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http://www.persistenceunlimited.com/2007/12/the-26-major-advantages-to-reading-more-books-and-why-3-in-4-people-are-being-shut-out-of-success/

[Mr.Daley]

I agree with all, but found the follwoing true in my life, lately

Sarah wrote, "It's a proven fact that focusing on words ordered for pleasure is for some odd reason relaxing. Maybe the reason it is relaxing is because the rhythm and the flow of the words."

Cole wrote, "Every class that you take in high school and college has a book that matches that subject.  Reading can help clarify manuals and instructions in the real world."

Elizabeth wrote, " Remember in elementary school when you learned how to infer the meaning of one word by reading the context of the other words in the sentence? You get the same benefit from book reading. While reading books, especially challenging ones, you will find yourself exposed to many new words you wouldn’t be otherwise."

These are all true. I find that if I am stressed, I can grab a book - any book - and it will relax me.
Also, I just taught a short course at Penn State Behrend on Adobe Acrobat Pro and Live Cycle (the programs I use to make those interactive worksheets) and I taught myself those programs by reading - reading more - and then reading some more. That's the only way to learn anything unless you want to rely on everyone else to tell you everything you want to learn.

It is also true that reading increases vocabulary. I know my vocabulary increases 10x after every book I read. That's part of the reason why I chose books beyond my comfort genre or comfort level.

Here's an analogy for you - EXERCISING is to BODY as READING is the MIND

[clloyd]

Cody Lloyd found these benefits

1. It is a fundamental skill builder - Every good course on the planet has a matching book to go with it. Why? Because books help clarify difficult subjects. Books provide information that goes deeper than just classroom discussion.

2. Learn anywhere – Books are portable. You can take them almost anywhere. As such, you can learn almost anywhere too.

3. Books are inexpensive entertainment – What’s the average price of a movie ticket these days? $8 – $10? You can buy a paperback for that price and be entertained for many hours more. If you have a used bookstore nearby, you can get them even cheaper.

4. Improves your reasoning skills – Books for professionals contain arguments for or against the actions within. A book on cooking argues that Chili powder goes well with beef and goes poorly with ice-cream. A book on building a business argues that testing an idea for profitability before setting up is a smart strategy and argues against just barreling forward with the idea without testing.

5. Decreases mistakes – Although I would never suggest putting off an important goal because you fear making mistakes, it is still important to sharpen the saw. When you gather the deep and wide wisdom that books can provide, you are less apt to make mistakes.

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[colelewis1]

Hi, this is Lori Lewis, Cole's mom.  You asked for my opinion on the benefits to reading at work.  I'm the Business Director for the Glenwood Park YMCA.  I see people fail to read contracts all the time.  This failure to read can cause a financial hardship.  The YMCA doesn't turn anyone away due to inability to pay for their membership.  So we constantly have people stop in to apply for Financial Assistance.  There are times when people will come in asking for financial assistance and we or another agency has to fill out a basic membership application.  Some of these people have not graduated high school and are living at or below poverty level.  Because they lack basic reading skills they must go through life trusting people to fill out their paperwork. 
For my job I am constantly reading.  I have to read and prepare reports for the Executive Director or CEO.  I attend board meetings where we are given reports we have to read and make important decisions based on the information we have read.  We just completed an expansion project.  During this process I have had to read many contracts, estimates, invoices, etc.  I have personally spent thousands upon thousands of dollars based on the information I have read and evaluated.  I could never perform my job duties, if I couldn't read and if I didn't have a clear understanding of vocabulary.[/font]

[clloyd]

This is Leona Lloyd, Cody's mom. I think there are many benefits from reading. I always enjoyed reading as a child and as an adult. You get a chance to use your imagination and learn many things. Reading well was very important when I went to college. You need to be able to read fast and comprehend what you are reading. To excell in this world, get a good job or advance in your chosen career it is imperative that you can read well and are "well read". As a nurse it is important, useful and necessary every day that I can read, in everything from reading the newspaper to reading pertinent medical information about patients at the hospital.

[Eli]

I am Carin Lowery, Elizabeth's mother, and I feel there are many benefits to reading.  Reading can help you learn, live, and provide recreation.  Without reading it would be very hard to navigate through life.  There are so many everyday activities that involve reading such as cooking from a recipe, driving, and work.  These things can be done without knowing how to read but they are done better and more safely when one can and does read.  Learning without reading is also possible, but the amount of knowledge you can receive greatly increases when you are able to read.  A person can also learn on their own through reading.  There are many forms of recreation that do not involve reading.  But being able to read can provide a quick, portable, quiet, and relaxing escape.  Overall, I feel reading is very important in a person's life.  Those who can and do read will have more possibilites open to them in their life. 

[Matt Potts]

Matthew Alan Potts benefits to reading.

1.  Reading will strengthen us spiritually.   If I could not read.  I would not be able to read my Bible and that would be very harmful to my life.  I certainly wouldn't be where I am today without it.
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http://www.ayushveda.com/magazine/advantages-of-reading/

2.  Reading gets us away from digital distractions. When I'm watching television someone else does the thinking for me.  When I'm reading I am thinking in my mind and no one else can do that thinking for me.
interculture.fsu.edu/pdfs/van%20wyk%20inferno.pdf

3.  Reading makes it possible to learn at your own pace.   I experienced this first hand when I was homeschooled.  If I had a hard time reading, I could take more time to learn because I could look up words I didn't know and figure them out myself.
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4.  Reading can help you make more money.  I will be doing a lot of reading from high school and until I get out of medical school.  Hopefully all that reading will help me get paid more than someone who didn't read as much.
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5.  Reading can be full of surprises.  Books can be surprising because the story can seem like it's going one way but by the end of the chapter or book the author will trick you right at the end and surprise you.
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[Matt Potts]

Hi I am Kathy Potts, Matthew Potts' mother.  I am a stay-at-home mom and have homeschooled Matthew and his brother for many years.  I have found that reading is extremely important.  All of you may not realize it now, but reading is the most important thing you'll ever do.  It is a skill that you never stop using!  It is a skill you use every day of your life whether you realize it or not.  I hope all of you will work on your reading skills and become the best you, that you can be.

[Sarah:)]

Hi there - Sarah Wiggers's mom - Tina Beezub here - There are a lot of benifits of reading, my favorite is getting lost in a novel. It's like a vacation of the mind. Also all the knoledge get from reading. Love my garden books!I have learned a lot from reading them. I really believe that you have to know to read to get anywhere in life. I could not imagine how tough it is for those who never learned!

[12dawsons]

Savanna Dawson

1. Reading has it's own interpretation - When you read you have your own interpretation of the story. Everyone sees something different when they read.
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http://www.turboread.com/interpretation.htm

2. Reading helps with test- Reading helps you do better on the PSSA or the SAT's. If you don't do good on them you might not be able to get into the college you want.
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http://www.testtakingtips.com/

3.Reading reduces your anxiety about taking a test- Many people get really nervous about taking tests and sometimes they do bad. If you fell like you know the things on the test you will be more confident and concentrate more.
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4. Reading can be adventurous- What if you were bored and you wanted to do something you could go on adventure. Just by picking up a book you can go anywhere.

5. Reading can make you more intellectual - Have you ever talked to someone where they made you feel dumb? If you read more then you won't feel stupid as much.
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[12dawsons]

Hi my name is Kim Dawson- Savanna's mom, Good reading skills are used for both work and pleasure. Research indicates that students who read more frequently and especially read for recreation, generally perform better on standardized test, such as the SAT's and ACT's. Different jobs certainly require a variety of reading skills some emphasize comprehension, some analytical, some interpretation, and some are more perfunctory/directional. As in most experiences in life, exposure to new styles and a variety of topics can help you to grow both intellectually and personally. However, a true love of reading can't be taught, it is something that each person has to discover in thier own time. I personally love to read for pleasure, once I start a good book I can't wait to find out how it turns out.