Visual Warm-Ups to Improve Reading Skills

One of the first requirements of reading is the actual use of the eyes and coordination of the muscles. Just as you do warm-ups and stretches before exercising, do some exercises with the eyes before reading. Eyes are controlled by muscles. These can be strengthen and trained to work more efficiently.

A. "Look to the extremes":   Up, Down; Left; Right; Top to bottom centered; then top to bottom on the right; Top to bottom on the Left; Bottom to top on the right; Bottom to top on the left; Quickly look from top left to bottom right (diagonal); Top Right to bottom left; Bottom right to top left; Bottom left to top right (diagonal)

B. "Eyes Jumps": Focus on an object about 10' away, then quickly shift to an object much closer but within the same visual pane; (ie the clock on the wall then the back of the students head in front of you) go back and forth several times. Then from a far object to a near object on a different visual plane (ie from the clock again to your hand on the desk) -No head tilting allowed only eye movements!

Feeling warmed up yet?

C. Visual Scanning Exercise: this is another way to get those eyes moving and ready to read.

     

1. Find each letter in alphabetical order that are randomly placed in circle.

2. Find the letters or numbers in the order listed. Place the circle search page next to the "look up" page on the desk to practice side by side scanning. This keeps the eyes in the same visual plane.

3. Find the letters on numbers in the order listed. Place the circle search page vertically several feet away (tape to a wall or chalk board). This makes the eyes change planes, going from horizontal to vertical.

Other Things to Consider:
1. Acuity: How are the lens of the eye?  Make sure that there is no farsighted, nearsighted or imbalance effecting vision. Children that have never seen any differently may not know that their vision is not as clear as it should be. Have they ever had an eye exam or when was the last one?

2. Observe the reader carefully. Sit across from the reader rather than next to them. This allows you to watch what the eyes are doing as well as anything else that may be happening. Things to look for: Do they always angle or position the head and eyes in a specific way? Is glare or light sensitivity a problem? Is one eye weaker than the other? Is the head and body held stable while reading?

Actual Case Examples:
- Awhile back I noticed a colleague would consistently cover one eye when writing notes. This continued month after month. He wasn't even aware that he was doing it. A simple eye exam confirmed that one eye had an acuity change. Glasses corrected the problem and alleviated his mysterious daily headaches.

A Great Resource of Activities

- I observed a student in class during reading group that is reported to be "very fidgety and unfocused" She sat with both legs wrapped around the legs of the chair and chewed her necklace while trying to listen to others read. With very little work we were able to swap her chair with another students, so both feet could be firmly on the floor;  placed a square of non-slip material on the chair seat so she did not slide around; and gave her a small squeeze ball to quietly fidget with. This stopped her squirming in an over-sized slippery chair, and gave her something more appropriate to fidget with. It did not transform her into the "ideal student", but did allow her sit for longer periods of time, be slightly more focused and now did not disrupt other students from working.

Other Helpful Tools:

Color Reading Lines

Many people naturally see better when viewing through color tints. A colored strip allows the line to be highlighted while also acting as a guide to help keep your place while reading. Paragraph strips highlight several lines at a time. It allows the eyes to flow from from line to line without needing to re-position the guide for each line.

See 'N Read

The See'n Read provides the best of both. It has a clear cut-out window for the reading line, allowing the natural paper to be seen. It then provides a shaded gray area that highlights the paragraph being read, allowing the eyes to flow to the next line and then the cut out window can be re-positioned as needed.