Promoting Recreational Reading in K-6 Classrooms

Strategies to Engage Students with Books and Motivate Them to Read

Feb 3, 2009 Barbara Abromitis

K-6 teachers can create literacy-rich environments where recreational reading is a priority, books are part of the classroom culture, and students are motivated readers.

Students who become avid readers during the elementary years gain valuable background knowledge, comprehension skills, reading speed, fluency, and vocabulary. Unfortunately, as students move through the primary and intermediate grades, reading may lose its appeal as a free time activity, and students then miss the extended learning opportunities that recreational reading provides.

Teachers can do much to change this trend, however. They can foster a love of reading in their K-6 students by employing the following strategies:

Provide a Literacy-Rich Classroom Environment

Teachers at all elementary levels can establish a literacy-rich classroom environment by making a classroom library that incorporates a variety of fiction and nonfiction books at many different reading levels. Include magazines, newspapers, and student-made books, making the space as comfortable as possible with pillows, beanbag chairs, a loft, or other high-interest furnishings. Keep the display fresh by rotating books and other materials related to current units of study into the library on a weekly basis.

Encourage Student Interaction About Books

Promote student interaction about books by setting regular times for students to share what they’re reading with the class. Older students can also have book discussion groups that meet monthly at lunch to discuss a book they’ve read together, and younger students enjoy having the opportunity to write and share their own books with the class.

Model the Pleasure of Reading

Choose high interest chapter books to read aloud to the class, and supplement content area instruction by sharing shorter creative nonfiction or related picture books. Discuss books of interest and model the process used to choose recreational books. Give books as gifts or prizes when appropriate, and enjoy a sustained silent reading time with the class daily.

Help Students Choose Appropriate Books

Students who are not in the habit of reading often have trouble choosing books they might enjoy. Distribute an interest survey at the start of the year, and let students know when a book that might interest them becomes available. Encourage children to think critically about what they read, and keep an index card file box with student book recommendations in the class library. Ask parents or community members to come in to read excerpts from their favorite childhood books.

Share Favorite Authors

Whenever possible, work with parent or community organizations to bring children’s authors to the school, arrange field trips to see high-interest authors speak, or to watch webcasts, videos, or DVDs of children’s authors discussing their work.

Recreational reading has numerous beneficial effects on the learning and academic achievement of all students. Elementary teachers are able to establish strong reading habits in their students by making reading an active part of their classroom culture and a valued part of every school day.

Further Reading

Backes, Laura. Best Books for Kids Who (Think They) Hate to Read: 125 Books That Will Turn Any Child into a Lifelong Reader. Roseville, CA: Prima Lifestyles, 2001.

Cramer, Eugene & Castle, Marietta. (Eds.) Fostering a Love of Reading: The Affective Domain in Reading Education. Newark, DE: International Reading Association, 1994.

Trelease, Jim. The Read-Aloud Handbook (Sixth Edition). New York: Penguin, 2006.

The copyright of the article Promoting Recreational Reading in K-6 Classrooms in Teacher Tips/Training is owned by Barbara Abromitis. Permission to republish Promoting Recreational Reading in K-6 Classrooms in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Girl Choosing Books in a Library

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