Reaching Reluctant Readers Liz Miller Resource Teacher Rosa Lee Carter ES

 Learn characteristics of a reluctant reader  Learn ways to support and encourage reluctant readers at home  Learn how to choose resources Intent of this session

 A reluctant reader is a child who has the capability of reading, but who chooses not to read when given the choice  Shows little enthusiasm for reading at school or home  Doesn’t take many library or classroom books home  Spends significantly less time reading by choice Definitions

 Upper elementary grades experience a reading interest “slump”  Do not see reading as something fun – all work  Most often cited reason is lack of interesting things to read or too busy doing other things to read  Almost 70% of students identified as reluctant readers spend an hour or less each week reading for pleasure What the research says

10 practical strategies for home  Read aloud to them  All about choice  Make time  Make space  Read what they read  Variety  Series/Author  Connect to real life  Audio-books  Other technology

Read aloud  Ideally every night, but at least a few times a week  Modeling fluency and expression  Make it interesting – give voices to characters  Leave them hanging at good parts

All about choices  Any books and any topics they want  Different genres of books  Remove pressure of reading levels  Steer but don’t force

Make time  Set aside time each day devoted to reading  As little as minutes  Whole family or at least a designated quiet time  Not for homework – just reading for fun  Can be read aloud or individual time

Make space  Designate a space  Let your kids help design it  A corner or certain spot on the couch  Comfy, cozy and welcoming – free of other distractions

Read what they read  See why they chose it  Be ready to talk about it  Help them expand upon it  Maybe find something new yourself  Model reading yourself

Variety  Nontraditional forms of reading  Magazines, poetry, music lyrics, newspapers, comic books, recipes, etc.

Series and authors  Get them hooked on a series or author through reading it together  Help them find similar series/authors  Getting to know familiar characters helps them feel connected

Connect it to real life  Use their real life interests to help them choose what to read  Motivate them to read through family activities  Read about topics before experiences

Audio Books  Listen in the car or waiting at appointments  Another good way to get them hooked on series or author  Modeling fluency, expression  Readily available

Using technology  iPads/Kindles/Nooks  The way many adults now read  E-Books  Can help with reading skills and motivation  Endless possibilities for topics and interests

 Tips direct from elementary kids: Let kids pick out their own books: “My dad would read to me any book I wanted – no matter how hard, how silly or how many times we’ve read it before – he would read me anything. “ Let kids see you read: “If parents don’t read in front of their kids then kids will think they’re not supposed to want to either and won’t do it as much.” Reading together is a time to show your love: “It is not just the books but how my mom read the books. It was sitting close and just spending quiet time together.” “It’s my mom’s favorite thing to do – she makes the books sound funny by doing different voices and being silly.” From the mouths of babes…

School and public library Starfall and Tumblebooks App store – search for interactive books Raz-Kids ($) Book trailers – for older kids Scholastic.com – The Stacks MeeGenius App ($) Suggested resources

Questions?