One of my most rewarding experiences I had since I started working with my class, was when I saw them playing Conquiztador. I have heard of the game from a former student of mine, who had graduated secondary school and was playing the game with her classmates in high school. I told my students about it, they started playing it, and they seemed to enjoy it a lot. It is a trivia game with questions from all sorts of domains, ranging from history and arts, to movie stars and football.
The best part of it was that you needed speed. And speed-reading is what I was most interested in. One of my students was happy when playing the game, because he felt he was improving his reading speed and at the same time pleasing his parents. Playing computer games is what my students do all the time. Especially boys. Over the years, I have heard parents complaining about how their children did nothing else than spend time in front of their computers, neglecting schoolwork. It is unfortunately something I have learnt to accept as a fact and complaining about it didn’t seem to take us anywhere.
I think what children face nowadays is a challenge to acquire so many skills, from which reading is just one. Moreover, when the burden is too hard for them, they just give up and take refuge in other activities that offer them instant gratification. Computer games are on top of the list with my students, so competing with what the fun they seem to have while playing them is not an easy task.
This is why I think teaching speed-reading techniques could be one solution to promote reading as a useful and efficient skill. If the students feel that there is so much to read but there are so many other things you can do in your spare time, they will easily give up on reading.
However, just like when practicing their gaming skills, if they are challenged to improve their reading speed, they could feel like finding the key to a hidden treasure.
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"As a writer and mother of three sons, I was delighted when I discovered Getting Boys to Read." - Jayne, mother/writer in South Carolina
"GettingBoysToRead.com has been an inspiration and a form of support to me, not only as a reading teacher but as a parent of a son who needed reading encouragement." - Judith, teacher in Tennessee
"Your site rocks! Congrats and keep up all of the great work!" - Stacey, teacher librarian in New York
"I wrote your website address on my summer reading list. I hope parents are going to be as enthusiastic as I am when you gave it to me. Good luck." - Sophie, school librarian in New Jersey
"Our son just turned 13 and used to read but seems like it is more of a chore now...thanks for all the great articles. Our goal now is to find some books that are interesting to him and get him back on the right track!" - Cherie, mom in Pennsylvania
"I have now bookmarked GettingBoysToRead.com as one of my favorite library/reading/book related websites." - Rory, teen librarian in Nebraska
"I signed up to "Gettingboystoread" today. What a fantastic site!" - Sade
I think your site sounds very interesting and necessary. - Danielle
Hey Mike! We love to read!! My 4 kids love to read, too.. Although different ways and interests...My 8yo stays late at night just to finish a book he's totally into! Great idea and purpose!
It's a great website and especially helpful for me and my 2 year old son. - Angel
I couldn't stop reading your page- that is fabulous what you do! My son was not originally a reader and I switched him into a magnet school. It has changed him and now that he is entering middle school he made all of the honors classes. I know what you do makes a difference! - Jill
Thanks for the GREAT work you're dooing for kids!! Particularly BOYS. - Sue
Hi Mike, I'm a children's book author and a mother of a 1st-grade boy. I've been following your tweets for awhile and love them. Please keep up the good work! - Laurie
As a former reading teacher, I applaud you. Keep up the good work. - Kim
I am very impressed with your website. It's great to see how varied this incredibly important topic can be presented to parents, community, boys and educators. - Alexa
I am very interested in your blog and will be checking it out. I am a mother to 3 girls and 1 boy. My girls and I love to read, but my husband is not much of a reader and the little guy is already proving to not care for "storytime". I am hoping to someday "convert" my husband to reading and I hope my son will also turn out to be a reader. Anyway, I look forward to reading your tips. - Danielle
I have a 9 year old boy that I currently homeschool. I looked at your site and I joined! Loved it! I think you are really filling a need. - Richele
Hi Mike - Great mission! I have two boys, a mom who's an early childhood literacy specialist, so I know the work you're doing is SO important! Rock on. - Liv
Your blog is great! I know lots of parents who are struggling to get their boys to read...hiring tutors, etc. mixed success. I don't know of any blogs like yours. - Christina
You give me hope. My son hates to read and it has been a struggle. Thanks! - Katherine
Getting boys to read is a particular passion of mine, so it was fun to visit your site. - Bridget
I love the concept behind your blog. Fantastic book reviews focused on encouraging boys to read! - Dolly
I have two boys,still younger now, but one coming up on the age of learning to read. I look forward to viewing your site and getting ideas to help!! Thank you!! - Reannon
I think your website ROCKS!- Tara
It's great to see that someone is caring about what boys read and learn. - Sue
Great site Mike. Boys and school/reading IS such an adventure!! They certainly are wired differently than girls. I've actually found it easier to teach my boys to read, but harder to get them to really love to read for enjoyment. Best of luck to you. - Michelle
Sounds like you're doing some great work! What a great cause... looking forward to connecting, just added you on Twitter - Rebecca
I love your site.Great stuff. I have 2 boys and I love the crusade to get boys to read. Keep up the good work! See you on fb too. - Nora
I'd love to network with you. Reading is a favorite pastime with my boys, and I'd love to share tips to help other moms assist their little ones in knowing the love of reading. -April
I love your blog and you are doing something really important like the awareness of reading , keep it up. - Angela
Wow! What an Awesome sight! I have 3 boys and 1 girl and for the life of me, I just realized Boys def. need more tools and encouragement to read than Girls. What a very useful page you have going! Kelleye
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speed reading to enhance reading skills