Reading Speed and Techniques

Reading Speed and Techniques
Being able to read well – fast and with understanding – is essential for good study and incisive thought. Here you can see both techniques on reading, and thoughts about the reading process too.

Differences between a learner and a doer
Over the past five years or so I have been increasingly struck by the need to judge learning by the thinking taking place, not just by the tasks taking place. Too many discussions about lesson planning in my past focused on the tasks to be done. Of course, students...

Weekly Lesson Planning ideas: (my practice five years ago)
This is a video detailing how I planned my lessons five years ago. I am more pragmatic now, and more focused on wider teaching arcs than specifying week-by-week detail. This, however, is useful nevertheless.

I can’t identify a technique! Using a Parts of Speech Identifier

A Exam-Focused KS3 Technique: Analysing an Extract for AQA Language Requirements. Modelling for 4 minutes

Example of Analysing Form in Atonement: 4 minute screencast

To Whom Do the Words Belong? Examining the opening of Chapter 9 of Treasure Island through principles of free indirect discourse.
Prerogative or perjorative? Examining the opening of Chapter 9 of Treasure Island through principles of free indirect discourse.

Example Modelling of Analysing Connotation: 35 minute screencast on Stone Cold
35 minutes of modelling analysis of connotation in Stone Cold and how to extend this. Enjoy the spidery handwriting on the computer screen.

Exemplar Unseen Poetry Response AQA: The Mother by Liz Lockhead
Again, all very quick but serves to demonstrate how to analyse an unseen poem.

Modelling how to respond to unseen poetry in real time: Spring in War-Time
This is an example 30 minute response to an unseen poem, not that poetry should really be read in isolation and analysed as quickly as possible.

Book Review: The Wizard of Earthsea. A child’s fable revisited.
One of my more imaginative childhood reading experiences was enjoying The Wizard of Earthsea in 4E (or whatever unimaginative name labelled that class). Stylistically denser than the Game of Thrones world, it contains a gentler message: know thyself. Despite its...