Did you see the article in the Washington Post last week entitled "How to Get Kids to Read Independently"? It references "The Scholastic Kid and family Reading Report: Fifth Edition"
One fact that caught my eye said....
"Children ages 12–17,
with frequent readers reading 39.6 books annually
and infrequent readers reading only 4.7 books per year."
What? Four books per year?!! This is a shocking statistic that proves that independent reading isn't happening enough!!
This is becoming not only a statistic but a reality, even at my school. During the book fair, this month, our school had a challenge for the students to read 70,000 minutes during the week. We have approx. 600 students in our school. We kept tabs on minutes read at home each night for each student, reported them to the office each day and tabulated our school total. Students would get the “treat” of dumping Spaghetti seaweed on the principal’s head if they met the challenge. But we didn't meet the challenge. I don't think this has ever happened before. Sadly we didn't even met ½ the challenge. That means they aren't even reading 10 minutes a day. :( I think this was an eye opening realization for everyone at our school.
Is this a statistic that stands in our way?
My principal has a new reading challenge up her sleeve....we shall see......
Oh, this makes my librarian heart sad! I wonder, though, if the students remembered to count ALL of their reading--blogs, magazines, comics....it all counts!
ReplyDeleteHmm. Reading Challenge. Not a bad idea. Thanks for sharing and inspiring.
ReplyDeleteWhoa. What a wake-up call! I sure hope the school doesn't blame the failure on the teachers (as tends to happen here in Indiana). What did the kids say about the failure? Do they WANT to do better? Do they just need more good books? (I read the same research.) Hopefully your school's principal has a great idea up her sleeve -- spend money on books! Good luck! Jennifer Sniadecki
ReplyDeleteI remember when I was in sixth grade, one time the librarian came into our room (probably her mission to go into each room) and told us about a new book in the library. I was intrigued and excited to read it....but every time I went to the library it was checked out. I still remember the name...and I still haven't read it. (It was made into a movie and I finally saw that!) Kids just don't know about good books.....you could tell them about a new book every day and they would have 365 books on their list that they would like to read! And then they need to be available to them....it's so great now that a book can be requested at the library on the computer! And books readily available on ipads!! Whoop whoop for technology.... !!
ReplyDeleteI think you have got the right ideas...in fact tomorrow I shall post "My mission" a resolve the reading challenge fail...
DeleteWe hold kids accountable in our 4th grade for a set number of books per grading period at their "just right" level. Students help each other by recommending favorite books as well as our wonderful school librarian. It is part of the total reading grade. This last grading period students are reading Young Hoosiers Book List and will vote in May as their votes will help determine the award. Requiring students to read and holding them accountable lots of opinions on this. However, some students will never read, never learn to love to read if they are not "forced" to read. But, just maybe, one of those books they are held accountable to read (their own "choice" book) will be the very one that turns them into a "reading for pleasure" bookworm. Hopes and dreams for all students.
ReplyDeleteAs a reader this makes me sad. It also makes me sad that we have to come up with challenges and gimmicks to get children to read. Hope whatever you principal has in mind works.
ReplyDeleteGetting the right books into kid's hands is a help, but it seems is only part of the problem. I can't wait to hear about what your principal has up his/her sleeve.
ReplyDeleteThis is sad! I wonder if my school would score any better? Keep us posted on what your principal will try next!
ReplyDeleteI know how sad this is. I talk with kids all the time about read, read, read. And I wish my principal would advocate this more.
ReplyDeleteAm I the only one who's not a Scholastic fan? It seems that they put out junk lately.
ReplyDeleteI love reading old books. Maybe I am like the kids that way. There used to be good books to read. I'm not sure they really need all the books that teach life lessons, say "cheap laugh" words (underwear, burp, etc.) and have more Soap Opera than fun in them. Do we need to rethink the subject matter of books? I know cartoons have taken a terrible hit...there is no such thing as a good belly laugh for a kid anymore!
ReplyDeleteYes my own son and my students love the funny books. Did you see that a book titled "Death by Toilet Paper" is in the Elite 8 for the March Book Madness competition?
DeleteI hope the minutes from school can count in the challenge. We need to give independent reading a chance to flourish during the school day in order for it take hold at home. Many families are not up to the challenge of monitoring this either. xo nanc
ReplyDeleteI agree with allowing independent reading to "flourish during the school day" I'm so afraid with the CC and assessment and data during curriculum that the whole Reader's Workshop model with self selected indep. reading is the basis has gone to the wayside :(
DeleteWe are making reading a chore with all the questions and analyzing we require them to do. They need to read and be read to for the pure joy of story.
ReplyDeleteThe last two years we did a reading challenge. One year we had a catepillar and added segments for every thousand minutes we read. Last year we had a baseball theme and kept a score board outside the cafeteria. We had rewards for goals in between. I just worry that, like Book It, parents sign off and make things up for the free stuff. Sad news for this family of readers.
you are completely right...students need to be able to read for the pure joy of reading....
DeleteI agree that this may not actually signal a "failure". I am an avid supporter of reading and struggle with all of the "musts" of reading. It will be interesting to see how your school responds and what the longer term results are.
ReplyDeleteI agree that this may not actually signal a "failure". I am an avid supporter of reading and struggle with all of the "musts" of reading. It will be interesting to see how your school responds and what the longer term results are.
ReplyDeleteI built up to 30 min. a day of independent reading for my gr. 3s. And for most they did read. They kept a log book, I checked it and we conferenced weekly on their reading. Scores improved, the kids loved their reading and I could work one on one. I had volunteers in most days to read with children as well. It was the best part of the day for most of these children.
ReplyDelete