There are many strategies that teachers and parents can use in order to motivate students to read. Some of these include helping students find books they like, being an example of a motivated reader, reading incentive programs, and maintaining an organized classroom (Tunnell ,2008). All of these strategies came together in my life and motivated me to read.
First of all, if a student finds a book that they are interested in, they will desire to read the book. You should either allow them to choose a book by a topic that they are interested in, or recommend a book to them that you are enthusiastic about and believe they will enjoy (Tunnell, 2008). An example of finding a book that motivates a child would be if the child really enjoys baseball, he will probably enjoy reading a book about baseball (Hobbs). In my personal experience, I used to dread reading when I was forced to read books I was not interested in. However, when I was able to choose the book I was reading, I saw reading as more of a pleasurable pastime and not as much of a chore.
Being an example of a motivated reader is very important when trying to motivate children to read. I can attest to this strategy in my personal life. My mother has always loved reading anything and everything ever since I can remember. Being that my mother and I share a lot of the same interests and hobbies, I felt that if she loved reading so much, I would too. I have grown up watching her read novels, magazines, health books, and many other things. She always seemed to enjoy what she read and was always telling me about it. After seeing how much information and enjoyment that reading brought her, it motivated me to read. The motivation she gave me caused me to search out the types of books that I enjoy. In a journal article by Jill Cole, she wrote about a boy named Trae that had witnessed his brother’s frustration with reading along with his mother’s discouragement. Being that Trae did not have motivation, he began to have a poor attitude towards school and reading because of his brother’s difficulty (Cole). This shows us that in many circumstances, children need to be around motivated readers in order to be motivated themselves.
Reading incentive programs often motivate children to read. The two types of incentive programs are teacher generated and commercially prepared. Teacher generated programs for example are when a child reads a certain amount of books they get a specified reward. Commercially prepared reading programs are often used in schools and school districts. Point values are usually given to books in these programs, tests taken over the books, and rewards given based on the number of points earned (Tunnell, 2008). The Accelerated Reader program is an example of a commercially prepared reading program. When I was in middle school, we were forced to participate in Accelerated Reader. Although I hated having to get Accelerated Reader points, it did make students want to read because of the rewards.
If in a school setting, organizing the classroom is another strategy that will help motivate students to read. First, setting an example by reading yourself is a good motivational strategy for organizing the classroom. Second, providing books that your students are interested in and making them available to them will cause motivation towards reading. Third, making time for books will cause students to be motivated about reading. Make time for books either through reading aloud, silent reading, introducing books to children, or going to the library. Fourth, create a reading atmosphere for your students that will make them want to read. No one wants to attempt to read in a chaotic atmosphere. Students will be more motivated to read if your classroom is relaxing and quiet. Fifth, work with the children’s parents. This includes requesting their support in motivating the children to read. Sixth, choose meaningful activities and assignments for students to do. Numerous worksheets and essays about books students are reading will only turn them off and not motivate them (Tunnell, 2008).
There are few more strategies that are more personal and could help in motivating children to read. Respecting the child is very important. Refrain from belittling their reading skills, but assist them with kind and gentle words; this will both motivate them and make them know you support their reading endeavors. Time is another motivational strategy to keep in mind when motivating a child to read. Children need you to take the time to help them find a book, help them buy a book and actually help them read the book. Another idea that might help motivating a child to read is along with the usual presents they would get on a holiday; buy them a book that they would be interested in. This might show them how the book is important to you, that you thought they might enjoy it, and that books can be very valuable just like a gift (Hobbs).
Children need motivation when learning how to read. I have faith that with these strategies in mind, adults will be encouraged to begin better assisting children in finding a passion for reading. I know that my mother greatly motivated me to become a reader by reading to me, being an example of a motivated reader, and helping me find books that interested me. Hopefully one day, a child will be able to say that you motivated them to read!
No comments:
Post a Comment