The annual DEAR Challenge is coming up: Monday, October 27, 2014. The BCTLA and the BCTF challenge all British Columbians to Drop Everything and Read for 20 Minutes. Most of Lord Tweedsmuir Secondary already does this every day, so this should not be a problem!
The DEAR Challenge is just one aspect of National School Library Day, Canadian Library Month and International School Library Month.
Why SSR? (Reason #6 of 3,487,659) The more you read, the better you get at it. When you get better at something you want to do it more. The more you do it, the better you get at it. And so on. SSR helps you read better and SSR helps you want to read more! You will get to the point where you sometimes have a book you just can’t put down.
Of course, even better: (Reason #1) Reading for fun is fun.
Why SSR? (Reason #4 of 3,487,659) Reading for fun improves your writing. The more you read, the more you see what good writing looks like (and bad writing too!) You can read about writing, but more importantly, whatever you read, non-fiction or fiction, you see examples of writing. You learn from the examples to make you a better writer. The more you read, the more you are exposed to a wide variety of writing genres, styles and methods. The more you read, the more ideas you get for your own writing.
Of course, even better: (Reason #1) Reading for fun is fun.
Why SSR? (Reason #14 of 3,487,659) Reading for fun increases your concentration. There are so many things that distract us all day long, requiring divided attention for shallow thinking. Reading longer texts for sustained periods requires greater levels of concentration for deeper thinking. The more you read for fun, the more you will be able to concentrate on other things for longer periods of time.
Of course, even better: (Reason #1) Reading for fun is fun.
Sustained Silent Reading is on! Take advantage by making sure that you have a good book in your hands. Come down to the Panther Den as we would love to help make that happen!
You will change your life.
I firmly believe that if it wasn’t for books, I wouldn’t have achieved an awful lot in my life; nor would I have the knowledge, imagination or creativity that I depend on as a writer, business owner, and coach. I hope these reasons to read more books encourage you to unlock your potential with the power of reading.
You will reduce stress and unwind into a good night’s sleep.
Exposing yourself to artificial light on your cellphone, TV or tablet reduces your body’s production of melatonin, which can make it difficult to get a good night’s sleep, if you do so late at night. You would be wise to cut off all electronics at least an hour before bed, and replace that with a good book, which is a much better sleep-friendly alternative.
You will become an expert in your field.
Don’t you think reading academic journals, articles, and books by experts in your field might make you better at what you do? If you can’t be bothered to learn more about your profession, then your lack of passion could be a sign that you’re in the wrong field. The more books you read, the better off you’re gonna be.
You will strengthen your patience muscles.
We live in a society that expects instant gratification, which is anything but a blessing for most people’s success in life, as there is nothing “quick” or “easy” about losing weight or starting a successful business. While it might be “easier” to watch a two-hour movie, it is far more beneficial to spend forty-eight hours reading a book. Opting for the book over the TV will strengthen your patience muscles over time, resulting in more success in business and life.
You will eliminate boredom during down-time.
Have you ever found yourself stuck in a waiting room, bored out of your mind, with nothing to read but gossip magazines? If so, you should know that it is wise to keep a book in your purse or car at all times, as you never know when you’ll find yourself with some time to kill. Even if you just take a few minutes to read a chapter during your commute and lunch break every day, those minutes will quickly turn into hours if repeated consistently.
You will discover surprising new ideas that are interesting and engaging.
Reading introduced me to concepts like mindful eating, relaxation exercises, and the importance of loving yourself. If I didn’t read, I wouldn’t even be aware of these ideas, which have defined my entire coaching philosophy. If you don’t read, you could be missing out on intriguing ideas that would likewise re-define your personal purpose or business philosophy.
You will entertain yourself for a low price.
If you’re looking for entertainment on a budget, you can’t beat books. Thanks to the popularity of electronic reading devices like the Kindle and re-selling websites like eBay, it’s never been easier to entertain yourself for hours at a time, for the low cost of a few dollars.
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How about FREE? Use your local library, including this place.
Lord Tweedsmuir Secondary School Library 