Reading engagement and its connection to reading ability
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Authors
Mock, Amy
Issue Date
2000
Type
Thesis
Language
en
Keywords
Teaching
Alternative Title
Abstract
I wanted to write about reading engagement in students because of the frustration I felt whenever I read to my students. While many of my students were enjoying the story I was reading, a lot of them would not pay attention and distract their neighbors. I came to the realization that many of my students do not know how to listen to stories because they are not read to at home. I also noticed a connection between the students that could not listen to stories and low reading levels on the district tests. Students that do not read at home do not score as high on reading assessments.
In the hope of increasing the interest in reading as well as my students' reading scores, I wanted my students to learn how to appreciate books. I read to the students ("Literature Appreciation Time") at designated times during the day. I also brought reading and writing activities that I thought would demonstrate for the students an enjoyment of reading.
To collect data, I relied upon my personal observations throughout the school year. I watched as their interest in listening to stories grew from September to April. I also administered Running Records to determine any growth in reading levels. In order to gain some insight into the reading habits in the students' homes, I surveyed both students and parents in order to measure the quantity and quality of reading at home; I also wanted to gain a sense of their enjoyment of reading.
The class as a whole made great strides in their reading ability. However, some individual students continue to struggle with low level reading books. I have noticed a great improvement with their ability to listen to and enjoy a book.