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February 13, 2014 by Travis Jonker

I Have Read Aloud Hand

February 13, 2014 by Travis Jonker   15 comments

20140213-090346.jpg

File this under Tragic Librarian Problems.

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I started noticing my hand hurt last week and I had no idea why.

“Huh, my index finger is sore.”

It continued on during the week, and I was confused.

“Strange. My index finger and my hand are sore. Still.”

Yesterday, after seven read aloud times I finally came up with a diagnosis: Read Aloud Hand.

READ ALOUD HAND

Symptoms:

Mildly sore fingers

An inability to figure out why fingers are sore

Treatment:

Hold book in opposite hand when reading aloud

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About Travis Jonker

Travis Jonker is an elementary school librarian in Michigan. He writes reviews (and the occasional article or two) for School Library Journal and is a member of the 2014 Caldecott committee. You can email Travis at scopenotes@gmail.com, or follow him on Twitter: @100scopenotes.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Debbie - Styling Librarian says

    February 13, 2014 at 9:38 am

    🙂 HAH! I have read aloud shoulder, didn’t diagnose myself but was lectured by dr. after finally solving. Treatment? Rotate hands holding the books and tuck elbow into waist. Plus stop being so enthusiastic when showing the pictures…

    • Travis Jonker says

      February 13, 2014 at 11:04 am

      Ah – an elbow tuck! I’ll try that

  2. Deb Marshall says

    February 13, 2014 at 9:57 am

    oh my word…yep yep yep. did try the opposite hand thing. was a bit of a wash, but will keep on trying and apply the tuck elbow to waist method.

  3. Tiffany says

    February 13, 2014 at 11:03 am

    I honestly don’t know if I could switch hands. That would take a lot of practice, like writing with my opposite hand.

    • Travis Jonker says

      February 13, 2014 at 11:04 am

      That’s true – it is tough. I’m about to give it a shot

  4. Kurt--strohreads says

    February 13, 2014 at 6:54 pm

    It is a hazardous job that we have!

  5. Natalie Dias Lorenzi says

    February 13, 2014 at 9:08 pm

    I have a solution–use a document camera. I do all of my picture book read alouds in the library on the document camera, and I love how I can zoom in to show illustration details. Everyone can see the story, and I avoid the dreaded Read Aloud Hand syndrome. 🙂

  6. Crystal Brunelle says

    February 13, 2014 at 10:02 pm

    Ha! I noticed my right thumb was sore. It just ached and I wondered if it was arthritis or something. I couldn’t figure it out until I picked up the rather large young adult book again.

  7. Ed Spicer says

    February 14, 2014 at 7:27 am

    Student book holder!

  8. nancy essid says

    February 14, 2014 at 9:40 am

    I second the document camera Idea. I finally got one for many reasons but Read Aloud Hand was one of them. The kids love it. They can ALL see the pictures and words. It really makes a difference for the kids and my hand. I wish I had done it sooner for my hand and my students.

  9. Laura Wylie Fiallos says

    February 14, 2014 at 12:51 pm

    I SO suffer from this, although in my case it is Read Aloud Arm Syndrome (also self-diagnosed). I occasionally try switching arms, but it just doesn’t feel right. I’m going to try Ed’s suggestion of student book holder (also a great way to involve the non-engaged student).

  10. Laura Purdie Salas says

    February 15, 2014 at 9:36 am

    Ha! I currently suffer from School Visit Voice. As a writer, I spend most days largely in silence, talking mostly online. But since I did a school visit Thursday, I have my usual post-visit scratchy throat and cranky-old-man voice. Maybe we need to collect all book-related afflictions into one big helpful medical dictionary:>)

  11. Sondy says

    February 18, 2014 at 1:00 pm

    I guess I’m the only one who naturally switches sides back and forth as I read? Just for variety? As I’m moving around so much? And now I feel smug — it avoids the dangers of Read Aloud Hand!

  12. Chelsea C. says

    February 18, 2014 at 2:12 pm

    I developed tendonitis from my year of Newbery reading – apparently I have a tendency to clench books with my right hand. Now I know!

  13. Just Add Muscle Free Shipping says

    March 13, 2014 at 1:57 am

    I like the helpful information you provide in your articles.

    I’ll bookmark your weblog and check again here regularly.
    I’m quite sure I’ll learn lots of new stuff right here!
    Good luck for the next!

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