Motivating Your Reluctant Reader Grades 3-8

Parent University

October 12, 2023

Presenter: Carole Donahue

Welcome!

“Learning to read takes practice. Loving to read takes enthusiasm. Read with your child often and create a sense of enjoyment, wonder, and a passion for reading.”

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–National Education Association

Carole Donahue

Let me introduce myself….

Outline

of this Evening’s

Workshop

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• What is a reluctant reader?/What may make a child a reluctant reader?/What is the difference between a reluctant reader and a struggling reader?

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• Ideas for supporting reluctant readers

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• Activities for reluctant readers

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• Engaging teens/boys with reading

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• Books for reluctant readers

What is a reluctant Reader?

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What is the difference between a reluctant and a struggling reader?

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Reluctant: An able reader who…

• is not interested in books/has difficulty connecting with books
• may have a shorter attention span
• prefers to do other activities for pleasure

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Struggling: A child who…

• Finds learning to read difficult due to a learning need which may lead to low self-esteem, anxiety and avoidance

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What may make a child a reluctant reader?

When the child views reading as something that must be done at school; not for pleasure or enjoyment; when books are too challenging or not enjoyable to the child; when reading is competing with other interests such as sports, video games, or other extracurricular activities.

What is a reluctant reader?

A child or young adult who is reluctant to read unless absolutely necessary; who tends to put a book down as soon as, or shortly after it is given to them; a child who refuses or resists reading time, shows little interest in books or becomes frustrated and misbehaves when asked to read; when sitting down to read a book for pleasure is likely the last thing on their mind.

Ideas for Supporting Reluctant Readers

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1. Build their self-efficacy toward reading

Self-efficacy is defined by Albert Bandura (1986) as “the beliefs that we have about ourselves that cause us to make choices, put forth effort, and persist in the face of difficulty.”

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The most effective source of promoting self-efficacy is through successful experiences in reading! Most people are naturally motivated to do something they are good at.

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Think about it: when was the last time you were eager to do something that you were not good at? Make sure students experience success in reading.

2. Read family favorites together

Reading books the whole family loves can make this a favorite family event to look forward to.

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3. Read to younger siblings, other family members or pets

This can empower and help build confidence as they “show off” their reading abilities.

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4. Take turns reading

By taking a paragraph or page each, you can help to keep your child “focused” on the story and “build stamina”.

5. Dedicate a cozy reading corner or space

Creating an appealing place in the house or the yard (when weather permits) to read can be a great incentive! Anytime a tent, cushions, pillows, blankets and fun decorations are included, reading time can become even more snuggly!

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6. Create reading routines

• Foster a family of readers. Make reading a group activity. Reading together–separately–enables all to spend time reading in each other’s company. Schedule a regular family reading time just as you would a leisure movie night.
• Set aside between 10-30 minutes a day to read with your child. Keep reading to and with your child even once they are confident, fluent readers. It can be a wonderful way to connect with them by discussing the book together and making predictions about what might happen next.

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7. Follow their passions (topics of interest)

Introduce your reluctant reader to books you think they’ll like, then let them choose which one to read. It could be in the form of a sports magazine, a biography, a favorite animal, hobbies and other interests, etc. If readers relate to the subject matter, they will engage in reading about it.

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8. Give them a choice

Choice is motivating. Self-efficacy and choice go hand in hand in providing a successful reading experience. Choosing may

• provide students with the background knowledge they need to better understand what they are reading
• encourage them to seek out more information on a topic within other forms of print
• provide opportunities for the student to share (in various forms) the information they have learned with others

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9. Find characters your child can relate to/Hook them onto a book series

Finding characters who look like them, have s similar interest, or have a similar lifestyle can help readers connect to a book. In addition, series books can spark an interest in a wanting to read more about a character(s) they love.

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10. Praise their achievements

All children need some encouragement sometimes, especially with activities they perceive as boring. Whether it’s a wall chart, stickers or simple praise, keep the momentum going by celebrating every time they complete a book or a chapter. Other suggestions include:

• Give a special allowance for book money
• Let your child stay up later if it means they spend that time reading

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Activities for Supporting Reluctant Readers

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03

1. Visit the library/Attend events to meet local authors

Regular family trips to the library allow for a constant opportunity for your reluctant reader to explore new and interesting books. This also allows for an “out with the old, in with the new” rotation of choices as they will have access to a large collection of books at no cost!!

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2. Watch the movie first/Read the book first

Often as an adult, watching the movie first can spoil the surprise of a book but for a reluctant reader, it may help to engage a child in the story and make a book more accessible. Seeing a book come to life can be really motivating for a child.

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Another option: Consider establishing a family routine–No one watches the movie until everyone reads the book (when possible).

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3. Read using technology/Listen to audiobooks

When used appropriately, technology, such as tablets and e-readers, can be a very powerful tool for readers.

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• Technology is changing the way we all learn, and given that most children see using a tablet as a fun activity, it is likely to increase their enjoyment and confidence – and therefore have a positive impact on their reading.
• Exception–At night, screen time is known to interfere with melatonin cycles, which makes it harder to fall asleep so consider screen time use during daytime hours only.

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• Mix up their reading by allowing your child to listen to audiobooks for part of the story. It can be really engaging to listen and follow along with a book, especially if your child has any visual processing difficulties, or visual impairment.

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• While it’s true that we technically aren’t ‘reading’, this only means we are not practicing phonics skills, but we are still activating the same parts of the brain as reading. Listening to audiobooks builds comprehension, visualization, and inferencing, and increases background knowledge. Just like when reading a book. They are recommended especially for students who have to read novels several grades above their reading level.

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4. Create a reading competition

Giving some reluctant readers an incentive to read books can really help with motivation such as creating fun games with prizes related to a book’s plot or characters.

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5. Pair reading with other activities

• Ask your child to read the instructions to a new game and teach the family
• Read a recipe and cook together
• Turn the sound off on the TV and turn on closed-captioning.

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6. Turn reading into reader’s theater

Each of you take a different character and act out a book as if it is a play–you can even add costumes and props!

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7. Make reading social

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• Books are for giving! Teach your child the importance of handing down books to younger siblings, cousins or friends. Understanding how others value books may lead them to value their own and motivate them to decide where else they may have an impact; shelters, doctors’ offices, schools, charities, libraries, etc.
• Consider a birthday party book swap. Ask guests to bring a wrapped book and have everyone choose one on the way out (grab bag style goodie bag).
• A book club with friends, snacks and games can be a great way to encourage a reluctant reader to get involved in books and talking about them with others
• Start a parent-child book club to strengthen your child’s relationship with books and enjoy time with you! This will increase opportunities for you to have conversations about books and may lead to deeper conversations about other subjects

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Engaging Teens/Boys with Reading

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How can parents and/or educators reach these reluctant readers?

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… what we need to do is not just honor all reading but to keep offering new doors, new opportunities, and new options to teenagers. A graphic novel one day, a cool app the next, a novel on a third day, or a poem, a play, an investigative article, a description of a new discovery. The idea is to keep opening doors, so occasional readers recognize that there is something of interest — something appealing, stimulating, or unexpected — waiting for them when they do take time to read.

— Marc Aronson, School Library Journal

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Why are many teens reluctant readers?

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• As kids get older and go to school, reading can be seen as work rather than fun -- and kids, especially teens, may stop reading for pleasure.

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• In addition, their instantaneous digital access to information is their expectation, which makes the ability to slowly absorb mass information through reading more challenging.

• If teenagers are interested in the subject, topic or genre then they may be more likely to read, however when it comes to education and mandatory reading the desire decreases and teens will reach for their devices to learn through technological means such as video and imagery rather than a book.

What do teens read? Books they've chosen themselves

12 to 17-year-olds want to read books that (in order of priority):

• will make them laugh (54%)
• let them use their imagination (47%)
• have a mystery or problem to solve (42%)
• have characters they wish they could be like (38%)
• tell a made-up story (fiction) (36%)
• teach them something new (35%)
• let them forget about real life for a while (35%)
• tell a true story (non-fiction) (32%)
• are a little scary (28%)
• are about things they experience in their life (24%)
• have characters who are in love (18%)
• have a character that looks like them (14%).

Find the "why" in YA.

YA (young adult) novels tackle the edgy issues teens struggle with, from peer pressure and romantic relationships to grief and trouble at home or school. Whether they're personally grappling with these issues or seeking vicarious thrills, teens gravitate toward subject matter that's relatable. Check the YA bestseller lists.

Merge movies with books.

Hollywood is turning to teen literature for ideas more than ever. Offer your teen the print version to read before or after a big film adaptation comes out, and talk about the similarities and differences between the two.

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Get graphic.

Gone are the days when graphic novels were dismissed as comic books. Now recognized as literature, they may be the key to getting some teens hooked on books.

They are now available in a wide range of genres -- from adventure and fantasy to historical fiction, memoir, and biography.

Introduce them to adult books.

Find nonfiction titles on subjects your teen is curious about, such as climate change, race, political corruption, or true crime.

Check adult nonfiction bestseller lists to see what's catching fire. Funny adult books also work (by David Sedaris or Tina Fey, for example), as do horror (Stephen King), mysteries (Agatha Christie), thrillers (James Patterson, John Grisham), fantasy (George R.R. Martin), science fiction (Isaac Asimov), and sports (Michael Lewis).

Try poetry.

Novels in verse are a popular trend. All that white space on the page makes them easy to read, and the spare, lyrical approach can really pack a punch. Memoirs in verse are taking hold, too.

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Let them listen.

Spark teens' interest by getting an audiobook to listen to on the way to school or on long drives. Let them download audiobooks to their smartphones. (They won't risk looking uncool, because they'll be under headphones or have their earbuds in.)

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Make it relevant.

If students can relate to the subject matter, they will engage in reading.

• Find texts that involve topics that are relatable to your students. Exposure to real issues facing children and adolescents today will ultimately result in students getting more involved in the text.
• Relevant issues will promote rich conversations as well.

Plan for elements that require students to take a stand or position.

If an older, reluctant reader knows they will be able to take a position/stand on an element within the text, they will take it seriously and work to form and defend their opinion on an issue.

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Debating or arguing a position requires students to move beyond comprehension and go to analysis and synthesis levels of cognitive processing.

Model reading. Read at home where your teens can see you.

• Talk about what you're reading, and express your enjoyment.
• Take a book or magazine along when you go to the beach or face waiting in a long line.
• Send your teen the message that reading is a pleasure, not a chore.

Keep reading material around. Kids who grow up with lots of books around tend to read more.

• Stock the bathroom, car, dining table -- wherever there's a captive audience -- with comic books, graphic novels, and magazines geared to your teens' interests; first books in hit YA series; or classic sci-fi and mysteries.

Give the gift of reading. Hand your teen a gift card to your local bookstore. They'll discover the treasure-hunt fun of looking for a good book.

Visit Imagination Soup!

Books for Reluctant Readers

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05

1000 Best Middle Grade Books

Do you have any questions?

Carole Donahue

Districtwide Instructional Reading Coach K-12

(516) 434-5663

cdonahue@farmingdaleschools.org

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