Intro
As summer begins and many individuals are finally off from schooling, now is the opportune time to grab a reading log, set a goal, and spend the warm months expanding your reading progress. By the end of this blog post, you will better understand the benefits of continuous reading even during the months you’re on vacation.Â
Reasons to Keep a Reading Log
You may be an avid reader already, or you possibly struggle to keep progressing toward your reading goal. Either way, a reading log is a very helpful way to track your progress and stay motivated to keep going.Â
Want to know more of the benefits to reading? Check out the blog post below!
1. Accountability
“Accountability is a commitment to others (or yourself) to deliver and account a result by a given time.”
-Elieen Lavin Dohmann, “Accountability in Nursing: Six Strategies to Build and Maintain a Culture of Commitment”
While we may all wish to improve various habits and skills, it is easier said than done. Truly, when you are the one in charge, it can be natural to take it easy on yourself and lower your own standards.
With a reading log that is displayed or shared with others, you not only are visibly aware of your progress, but so are others. When you share a goal with someone else, it can be a great way for that person to help hold you accountable.Â
2. Motivation
“With every job that must be done, there is an element of fun. You find the fun and, snap, the job’s a game!” -Mary Poppins
Undoubtedly, with the rise of technology, reading has fallen in popularity as a recreational hobby. However, that is another reason a reading log has its own advantages. Not just for younger readers, but adults can also find the benefits of changing their perspective on reading.Â
By offering a log to write down finished stories and your own rating of them, you are turning reading into a game with a purpose. You could even incorporate little prizes or rewards throughout your reading progress.Â
For example:Â
- Finish one book = a bag of candyÂ
- Finish five books = get yourself a nice gift
- Finish 10 books = go on a fun tripÂ
3. Comprehension
Ultimately, anyone can say they finished reading a book, yet their comprehension of the story is greatly lacking. Naturally, we all space out from time to time. Just like anything else, reading is a skill that can be practiced and improved.Â
A reading log helps promote readers’ awareness of comprehension. If, after finishing their story, they know they will need to write a summary or review of what they read, they will pay more attention. After all, what is the point of reading if you aren’t understanding?Â
If you are struggling to access your reading ability, check out the blog post below to help ensure you are being challenged fairly to your own skill level.
4. Celebrate Yourself
Truly, it can be hard to make time to celebrate yourself and your own accomplishments. With a summer reading log, you will be tracking your own progress and physically seeing your completed hard work.Â
Once the summer is over, and let’s say, you have reached your goal of reading four books, celebrate! Be proud of the time and effort you put into continuing your reading comprehension skills.
5. Community
Additionally, summer reading logs help build community. Try it yourself! Grab a log and make a goal with friends, partners, or family that you will complete a log and share your progress.Â
A beautiful reason to read is the opportunity to converse with others on your own findings. Have you ever been in a book club online or in person? You can talk about your likes, dislikes, thoughts, and feelings on books. Additionally, you can swap recommendations back and forth.Â
Lastly, having a community complete the reading log with you can continue to motivate you to stay accountable to your own goal.
6. Reflections
Lastly, a reading log promotes reflection for readers.Â
According to Literacy in Focus’s article “7 Reasons to Use Reading Logs,” it states that
“Having an opportunity to reflect upon the reading gives students time to conceptualize and assign meaning to the information.
Taking the time for interpretation in the form of a reading response log will help to solidify the information gained from reading because it gives students a space to reflect and connect with the text and topic.”Â
Various Forms of Reading Logs
In general, there are various forms of reading logs with certain personalizations to help with whatever area you may be struggling with. Â
1. Regular Reading Log
A regular summer log would include the list of novels completed and your own personalized rating.Â
2. Comprehension Reading Log
A comprehension reading log has questions to fill out once you’ve completed your book. Questions include plot summary and major events.Â
3. Time Reading Log
A time reading log helps archive how many minutes you’ve spent reading. You fill out the date, what book you’ve read, for how many minutes, and how many pages you completed that day.
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4. Plot Reading Log
A plot reading log has questions to help with comprehension of the story’s plot as you continue reading. For this reading log, each chapter or session of reading is documented once finished. Additionally, questions about characters, motives, and the emotional/narrative arc of the story are included.
5. Vocab Reading Log
A vocab reading log is focused more on the challenging words came up while reading. The log is used by writing the vocab words, their definitions, and the sentences in which they were written in the book.Â
Free Summer Reading Log Below!
Setting Your Goals
Since the summer is infamous for procrastination, you must come up with a game plan if you truly wish to improve your reading skills.Â
Firstly, ask yourself some questions.Â
- How often a week am I reading?Â
- When was the last time I finished a book?Â
- What genre do I enjoy?
- How are my reading comprehension/vocab skills?
- How many books are achievable to read in three months?Â
- Do I have other people in my life who can help support or keep a reading log with me?
- What is keeping me from reaching my goals?
- What are some habits I can implement to ensure I reach my goal?
Helpful Strategies For Keeping a Reading Log
Whether you are out of practice or not, there are habits you can have in your own life to help reach your goal.Â
- Remove distractions: put technology in the other room, turn off music, and sit in a comfy place
- Check in with yourself: at the end of each week, take a minute to reflect on your reading progress to help celebrate your progress and remain accountable towards your goal
- Take your book with you: create the habit to grab your book when you’re bored, rather than your phone
Conclusion
Enjoy summer with a wonderful book! Keep a reading log by yourself or with friends to help track your progress and celebrate your accomplishment!
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