Don't Re-Read... Re-Listen!

Kids always ask me if I get tired of re-reading the same book year after year, sometimes 3-4 times in that same year with different class periods. Yes. Yes I do! Since I've already read the book several times, it's hard to motivate myself to legitimately re-read a book, chapter by chapter, so I don't accidentally give away information that's forthcoming. I annotate all over my books and on notes pages, so I already have the information I know is important, but it's really not the same to teach it from memory a year ago, as it is to re-read like the kids.

Confessions of what I've done to avoid this, especially when pressed for time, and it comes between planning/grading, or re-reading:
- SparkNotes/Shmoop...::I know, I know, don't throw things at me::
- Skim
- Just review my annotations

None of these work that well for me.

Last year I decided to get the books that I teach on audio. This has been a HUGE time-saver!! Think about it: going for a walk with the dog? Listen to chapter 2. Driving home from (or, in emergencies, to) work? Listen to the last few pages you didn't finish in class. I, for one, would rather read books for fun that I haven't read yet when I'm at home, rather than re-read TKAM for the gajillionth time. This is just one of the ways I've learned to maximize my time to get all of my work done, but have a life outside of school that I love.

Additionally, I try to find free audio links online for the kids and post it in Google Classroom so they can do the same, because really, who wants to be inside when it's 65 degrees out in March? ;)

What other tricks or tips do you have to maximize your reading and personal time? I'd love to hear them!

Happy Teaching,