Currently, I teach first grade in a classroom full of very diverse learners. My survey allowed me to see that my students have very different interests with very different home backgrounds and exposure to reading on many different levels. I noticed that many of my struggling readers do not have books at home and are rarely read to by their parents. They also do not have many books at home. On the other hand, my above level readers read for enjoyment more than other students and they have many books at home and see their parents reading for enjoyment.
Some books that I found that are motivational are books that rhyme or are fun to read. Dr. Seuss for example is one of my students' favorite authors. His books seem longer than most books so students feel a sense of accomplishment when they are done. They feel like they have read a "big" kids book. They also enjoy the silliness and enjoyment that Dr. Seuss brings. To motivate students to finish a book I have them predict what they think the book is about and how it will end. They then must finish it to see if they are correct. We also incorporate a lot of partner reading. I have found that one student will most often motivate another. They read as a team and most of the time finish as one.
I also teach first grade and I agree with you about the Dr. Seuss books. The longer a book looks, the more accomplishment the child feels!
ReplyDeleteKanyon, I agree also. Dr. Suess are awesome to motivate a student. I am a Kindergarten teacher and Dr. Suess book really have a lot of basic sight words that actually allow the student to complete a book. The pages are more longer than other books so this really encourages the student they really read and finish.
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