Posted in Great Books Discussion
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In Chapter 2 of How To Read A Book, Adler categorizes the ability to read well by four distinct processes. As a homeschooling mom, I celebrated each time one of my children demonstrated their new found ability to read. According to the author, all my shouting and rejoicing were to commemorate only the first level of reading described as Elementary Reading. Elementary Reading includes basic word recognition and comprehension. Many of us read at this level. For example, I probably read a romance novel at this level. Failure to master this level of reading is generally referred to as illiteracy. The highest level of mastery of this level is probably speed reading with complete accuracy.
The second level of reading is called Inspectional Reading. Although inspectional reading is not exactly a higher level of reading, as I pre-supposed, elementary reading skills ARE a prerequisite. Homeschooling moms likely use inspectional reading when perusing curriculum at the annual homeschool conference! Adler describes this type of reading as skimming contents within a time limitation. When my children were early readers they definitely incorporated this method on the most rudimentary level. They'd inspect chapter books for selection based on three criteria: # of pages, # of pictures, and size of the font. A higher level of mastery of inspectional reading would be the ability to systematically skim the structure and contents of a book. This might be the kind of reading typical of a college student, cramming for a final, using a textbook he never actually read!
Analytical Reading is the third process of reading described by Adler: "If inspectional reading is the best and most complete reading that is possible given a limited amount of time, then analytical reading is the best and most complete reading that is possible given unlimited time." I described this type of reading in an earlier entry as nothing short of hard work! Real understanding and learning take place during this type of reading. Homeschool moms need to become Enlightened Enablers to help the students master this reading process. It is my supposition that most high school students graduating from public schools today do not master this level of reading. And it is not all their fault! Most testing measures the skill sets which compromise mastery of Elementary Reading.
The highest level of reading is Synoptical Reading. As the most active reading, the highest level of effort and interaction are required. I have defined this most complex process as being completely immersed or passionate about a topic. One of my reading partners suggested we read at this level when investigating our homeschool choices. This is an excellent example of synoptical (or comparative) reading for many of us. We read to learn as much as we can about a subject, synthesize ideas from multiple resources, and form our own ideas over time, experience, and further reading. When we become passionate about a subject, it becomes part of our life experience. In the case of homeschooling, it may change our lifestyle and possibly even change how we define ourselves as a person. Now that's POWERFUL reading!
Francis Bacon may have been meditating on the hymn, "Take and Eat the Goodness of the Lord," when he quipped, "some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed and some few to be digested." Chapter #1 – my response notes
Featured in the 21st Carnival of Homeschooling
Related Tags: Great Books, literature, Mortimer Adler, analytical reading |
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