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All Teacher Boards :
Teacher Exchange :
Summer Reading :
Motivating students to read
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Re: Motivating students to read
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leel0607
New to the Community
Posts: 1
Reply 4 of 4
Viewed 8479 times
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Teachers in each grade level at our school provide students with a summer "Brain Booster" packet. It includes a variety of grade-appropriate activities to do relating to reading, math, science, and social studies. Those who complete the packet, including student and parent signatures; and return it to school within the specified time frame (about 3-5 days after the start of school) will participate in the school-wide "Brain Booster Bash." This past summer, the theme was "Westward Ho," so the big event will be a field trip to a local farm where the owners (4-H Leaders) will present a rodeo.
Students could read any book, but our packet was a western theme.
5th grade students received a packet that helps prepare them for middle school. As one of the 5th grade teachers, I additionally challenge students to match my personal summer reading goal. If I make my goal, I donate $1 per book to our local library or other charitable organization. If, at least three 5th (now 6th)- grade students match my goal, documented by their signed reading list from the local library (I do the adult summer reading club); I add include another $25 per student (up to $100). That's a fun way to keep us all reading and it helps our library, as we're raising funds to build a new library, since our tax-strapped community didn't pass a millage last year. The money value isn't always that high... depends on my funds.... but, it is an incentive, and I'd donate to our library anyway. My goal was 25 books this summer, which I achieved, and I know of 2 former students who are close to matching mine, so I think the library will benefit nicely this year.
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08-26-2006 10:59 AM
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Re: Motivating students to read
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reads3
New to the Community
Posts: 3
Reply 3 of 4
Viewed 9380 times
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I think it really depends on the level of the learner, and/or age. Elementary students may benefit with short external rewards such as taking the child on a field trip after completing a particular book. With intermediate learners, I have learned that they really find a connection with their growing world. Books that relate to the death of a family member due to cancer or grandparents' stories. No need to make it tedious. Picture books are very enjoyable for all levels. They also make great anchors for providing ideas to stimulate a learner into writing such as writing in a journal. I've given my high school students a writing prompt to begin the school year with for journal writing using Alexander, the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day. My students were enlightened by the idea and the illustrations and it prompted interesting discussion about having a bad day on the field (football, soccer, softball). The stories and conversations were great. Then I asked that they write about their favorite terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. The moral is that reading should be fun and does not need to be tiresome and boring work. Sharing a story about a book is also very beneficial. Good literature is meant to be shared and discussed. It's not meant to be kept within one individual. A well-versed picture book author that is enjoyed by many adults is Eve Bunting. You simply have to catch some of her picture books. They bring warm, loving tears, and create moments that can your children will enjoy for years. My daughers are now adults with children and are purchasing their children books I read to them when they were wee-ones. Once the joy of reading has developed, then you may search for book lists or get the child involved in book talks at the local library, or you can create one of your own to share enjoyed literature. Good luck! Smiles...Estefana C.
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05-02-2006 09:28 PM
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