Understanding Fourth Graders\u27 Decline in Reading Motivation from Students\u27 and Teachers\u27 Perspectives

Previous research by Chall and Jacobs (2003) documented the phenomena of the fourth grade slump, a period in which students switch from learning to read to reading to learn and the subsequent loss of motivation to read. The purpose of this research is to present a phenomenological qualitative study of whether a sample of fourth grade students, low-achieving readers and average achieving readers, exhibited a loss in their motivation to read. Students\u27 responses to a standardized conversational survey and questionnaire, the Motivation to Read Profile (Gambrell, Palmer, Codling & Mazzoni, 2007) and teachers\u27 responses to a researcher-developed questionnaire were examined and coded by themes. Results indicated that there was no difference in motivation to read between low-achieving and average-achieving readers. Students\u27 responses showed positive motivation to read, while teachers\u27 response indicated a negative attitude towards students\u27 motivation to read. Research results were inconclusive concerning students\u27 readiness to switch from learning to read to reading to learn. Implications for future research are discussed. A review of pertinent literature is presented

Reading in the digital age: using electronic books as a teaching tool for beginning readers

This study investigated the eBook reading experiences of eight grade 1 students. Eight students were given ten 25-minute sessions with the software programs over 15 weeks. Qualitative data were collected from students, teachers, and parents through questionnaires, interviews, observations and field notes.The results suggest the promise of electronic books in enhancing the reading motivation of beginning readers.Beginning readers\u27 motivation to read and the texts they choose to read impact on their literacy achievement and willingness to engage with reading activities in the primary years of schooling

A Book Club\u27s Impact on Parent Support of Adolescent Reading

Purpose The purpose of this study, then, is to investigate, both before and after intervention, parents\u27 perceptions of their abilities to impact their children\u27s literacy attitudes and activities. The intervention will take the form of a book club conducted by the researcher with parents. This book club will include discussions on current authors and books for adolescents, as well as demonstrations of literacy activities parents can incorporate into their daily lives. The following research questions will be addressed. First, how do parents perceive their abilities to support their sixth grade students in the area of reading? Second, what happens to these perceptions when parents participate in a parent book club and how does this effect home literacy activities? Procedures I will design each meeting\u27s discussions and demonstrations based on parent reports of student interest, and current literature and research regarding appropriate literacy activities for adolescent students. Parents and I will meet once per week for five weeks. Each meeting will be approximately one hour long. During this time parents will participate in direct instruction, open discussion, role playing opportunities, and exploration of book recommendations. In order to assess my research questions, I will administer a qualitative survey at two points during the book club; one at the beginning, and one at the midpoint. I will also administer a phone interview one week after the end of the book club. Throughout this process, I plan to keep a teacher journal in which I will record any observations during book club meetings. Through this study, I hope to arm parents with information about activities, authors, and books that will help them support their adolescent readers. I hope to share my findings with my school colleagues, administrators, and other parents

Literacy development: evidence review

Literacy includes the word-level skills of word reading and spelling and the text-level skills of reading comprehension and writing composition. These skills are involved in virtually all everyday activities. As a result, poor literacy impacts on every aspect of life. Word reading, spelling, reading comprehension, and writing composition are supported by similar language and cognitive skills as well as affective and environment factors. Learning to be literate builds upon existing knowledge of the language from speech. Becoming literate then enables children to learn more about language. However, literacy is unlikely to be achieved without explicit and prolonged instruction. This review provides an evidence base for decision-making during literacy education. We identify key skills that must be in place to enable children to reach their optimum potential and highlight where weakness can suggest a need for extra support. We begin by discussing models of literacy development as these models provide a framework within which to present the evidence base for the rest of the review. We then consider the underlying skills in greater depth, beginning first with the proximal factors that underpin word-level and text-level reading and writing. Then we consider distal child-based and wider environmental factors that indirectly impact on literacy development

THE INFLUENCE INCLUSIVE LITERATURE CIRCLES WITH MULTICULTURAL LITERATURE HAS ON THE SELF-EFFICACIES OF 4TH GRADE STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

This study seeks to determine what happens to fourth grade students with disabilities reading self-efficacies when they participate in inclusive literature circles with multicultural literature. The purpose of this teacher research was to investigate strategies to improve reading self-efficacies of students with disabilities, investigating what would happen if students with disabilities were placed heterogeneously with their peers while reading books with characters with disabilities and how that influenced their reading self-efficacies. Four students with a disability were integrated with their general education peers in their inclusive classroom to participate in literature circles for four weeks. The multicultural books were books that contained characters with disabilities. Baseline data from the Reader Self-Perception Scale (RSPS) was used to assess students\u27 self-perceptions in reading. When analyzing the data, the three major themes within the study are: (1) Students\u27 perceptions of disabilities and how they changed throughout the literature meetings; (2) Students made connections to the text through representation of their experiences; and (3) Students had an increased engagement and belief in their ability. The results suggest that over time, inclusive literature circles with multicultural texts can slightly improve the reading self-efficacies of students with disabilities

Significance of Electronic Picture Story Book in TEYL

ABSTRACTIn this digital era, the product of technology such as tablet PC, iPad, Smartphone, computer, internet access and electronic book reader are close in our daily life. This article highlights the benefit of using electronic picture story book. Electronic picture story book is one of the tools that can be used in teaching reading for young learners in the literacy activity. It is development of modern education which integrates with technology. Electronic picture story book  can be helpful as a supplement to the language.Young learners have their own perspective in comprehending a message. They have different way to transfer what they have in their mind. By having visualization, young learners will more enthusiastic and interested to read in order to get good stimulation through their imaginations. Electronic picture story book could be considered an aggregation of multi-pages, responsive and lively multi-media (includes information of characters, picture, voice , sounds effects, music, animation, etc). Visual aids in electronic picture story book are helpful for getting the information and mental representation. Electronic picture story book could become innovative and creative as their guide in the literacy activity. This article offers the potential ways to build children’ reading enthusiasm through electronic picture book.Keywords : Electronic picture story book, readingABSTRAKDi era digital ini, produk teknologi seperti PC tablet, iPad, Smartphone, komputer, akses internet, dan pembaca buku elektronik sangat dekat dalam kehidupan kita sehari-hari. Artikel ini memberikan manfaat menggunakan buku cerita bergambar elektronik. Buku cerita bergambar elektronik adalah salah satu alat yang dapat digunakan dalam pengajaran membaca untuk pelajar muda dalam kegiatan literasi. Ini adalah pengembangan pendidikan modern yang terintegrasi dengan teknologi. Buku cerita bergambar elektronik dapat membantu sebagai pelengkap bahasa. Pembelajar muda memiliki perspektif mereka sendiri dalam memahami pesan. Mereka memiliki cara berbeda untuk mentransfer apa yang ada dalam pikiran mereka. Dengan memiliki visualisasi, pembelajar muda akan lebih antusias dan tertarik membaca untuk mendapatkan stimulasi yang baik melalui imajinasi mereka. Buku cerita bergambar elektronik dapat dianggap sebagai kumpulan multi-halaman, multi-media yang responsif dan hidup (termasuk informasi karakter, gambar, suara, efek suara, musik, animasi, dll). Bantuan visual dalam buku cerita bergambar elektronik sangat membantu untuk mendapatkan informasi dan representasi mental. Buku cerita bergambar elektronik bisa menjadi sesuatu yang inovatif dan kreatif sebagai panduan mereka dalam kegiatan literasi. Artikel ini menawarkan cara-cara potensial untuk membangun antusiasme membaca anak-anak melalui buku bergambar elektronik.Kata kunci : Buku cerita bergambar elektronik, keterampilan membac

The Power of Discussion on Students\u27 Comprehension

Through listening to one another we establish a foundation for all aspects of language and cognitive development (Hyslop,1988). As teachers we need to establish the need for discussion and encourage the discussion aspect of learning. This needs to be done within the classroom and at home. Parents are the first people that children talk with and learn to discuss issues with. Therefore, it is necessary that discussion be carried on throughout a child\u27s education. In the thesis, I will research that by discussing stories with their children, parents will increase the comprehension of their children. Through the use of short stories from three different genre and comprehension quizzes I will test this research to determine if stories were better understood. This study showed a trend toward improved student comprehension after parental discussions took place

Using New Literacies to Foster Student Motivation

Using new literacies in the classroom helps students become more engaged, independent learners, and critical thinkers. New literacies include the skills, techniques, dispositions to adjust to the ongoing changes that impact student motivation to read. Students are expected to use various forms of text, and they learn through practice. Research has shown students’ intrinsic motivation declines as they go through school. Based on a review of literature, the researchers argue that using new literacies fosters student intrinsic motivation to read and explore. A set of recommendations is provided to increase practitioners’ awareness in integrating new literacies in their classrooms

The Use of E-books, Computers, and Tablets To Enhance Reading Skills

The purpose of the study was to identify teacher’s opinions of technology and its usage with reading instruction. The study explored teachers’ use of e-books, computers (reading programs), and tablets to enhance reading skills. Specifically, the researcher wanted to investigate elementary teachers’ beliefs regarding the use of e-books (electronic books), computers (reading programs), and tablets for enhancing reading skills with students who struggle with reading. To determine the impact of e-books, computers, and tablets on reading practices, data were collected from four urban elementary teachers in a southeastern school district. The research was conducted using surveys, interviews, and observations