"I HATE READING!!!" is a statement often heard in a classroom. Students say that almost every time they are asked to read in class or do a reading assignment for homework. Why is that? Is it because they really do not like to read? I think not I believe they are just bored with what they are forced to read. Sometimes I think this is because much of the material that is chosen is difficult for students to see how it relates to them because it was written so long before their time. Although it may relate to them, it is difficult for students to see it. This is where it is the teachers obligation to come in and find a creative way to relate the readings to the students.
I saw on idea used during my Sophomore Field Experience to get students interested in what they were reading. The teacher worked with his supervisor and changed some of the books in the schools curriculum to ones that would be of a greater interest to students because they were written more recently and the topics were more along the lines of what students would relate to. At the same time they chose to keep a few of the classics in there and so far it seems to be working well. The teacher I was with alternated every other book would be something the students would be interested in and they were relatively content with doing the readings and not complaining.
Another idea I am seeing used in my Junior Field Experience is 15 minutes of silent reading at the beginning of every other 80 minute class. The teacher allows the students to choose a book that they want to read and allows them the time to read it in class. At the end of each reading session she just has the students write on a note card a short summary of what they read and put it in an envelope. This allows that students to read something they enjoy, which makes them less likely to complain about having to do some of the other readings required for the class by the curriculum.
These are just a couple of ideas as to how teachers can get students to enjoy what they read.
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1 comment:
The hatred of reading is something you will fight on many levels in education.
However, being a former elementary teacher, I can tell you that it is a learned characteristic.
First graders LOVE to read. They enjoy being able to try something new and be successful at it.
Over the years, the love of reading decreases.
Your ideas are excellent. Keep up the enthusiasm and you will promote the love of reading in your classroom!
Great post!
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