How can I creatively engage students in reading activities that will motivate them to read and improve their reading skills?
One of the objectives behind each of the projects I completed during graduate school here at NC State was to design activities that motivated students to participate in reading. As a Reading Specialist I desire to have all the students I work with want to read to the best of their ability so I can obtain an accurate assessment of their reading level and reading skills; however, factors get in the way of this happening. As educators we often ask students to read a book or passage, unaware of other thoughts or worries drifting through their minds that may effect their abiltiy to enjoy (and comprehend) the text. In this case reading is not a desirable activity and students will not be motivated to read.
I find television very educating. Everytime somebody turns on the set I go into the other room and read a book. -Groucho Marx
As educators we wish all students were this easy-going when they have the opportunity to read. "Students think reading is important when they use reading to achieve a goal important to them, to achieve a purpose of theirs, or to answer questions they want answered" (Duffy, 2009, p. 5). This is an example of when students find the motivation to read. How can I creatively engage students in reading activities that will motivate them to read and improve their reading skills?
Some of the most important items in a Reading Specialist's toolbox are literacy activities that motivate students to read. Within these activities reading skills and strategies should be taught (Duffy, 2009).
Findings
I have found that all children with the ability to read, love to read! When given the proper text the experience can be meaningful and students will be motivated to read to the best of their ability. Teachers should avoid giving a child text that is uninteresting and then telling the child, "Read this so I can assess your fluency."