Keep abreast of students’ reading habits
We know that the more one reads the better at reading one becomes. We also know that reading that is intrinsically motivated produces better outcomes than the same quantity of mandated reading activity. Therefore, finding material that interests and engages students is critical.
A periodic reading interview is one way of gathering information about reading habits, attitudes and interests, which are then used to inform classroom decision making. This process needn’t be time consuming or a stand-alone task. If pressed for time, try giving the questionnaire as a brief, timed, writing task (i.e. the topic for a demand /lightning write).
Below are two recently completed (oral) reading interviews. Consideration of specific responses and overall knowledge of the students assists teachers to refine, adapt and reflect about teaching-learning goals, texts to be used across the reading program and ways of working with and responding to students in order to maximise engagement, participation and success.
How important is the teachers’ attitude to reading? Responses six and seven by Ashley are noteworthy!
Ben, age 10
- How do you see yourself as a reader?
I’m a good reader. - What makes you a good reader?
I can read lots of words and understand what the author is trying to tell us. - Do you read at home?
Yes, sometimes I read after my parents are asleep. - Do other people in your home read?
Yes. Mum, Dad and my sisters all read. - What sorts of things do your family read?
Chapter books, mysteries, war books and work books. My sister, my mum and I all just finished different books about the plague. That was pretty funny. - What do you like to read most?
“Beast Quest”, “Tashi”, “Mostly Ghostly”. - What topics do you like to read or watch TV shows about?
Nature books about animals and plants, space, technology, history, mysteries. - Do you prefer reading on your own or reading with others?
Reading on my own because I can concentrate more on the book. - What do you like most about the teacher reading to you?
I can listen and relax. - What do you like or dislike about guided reading?
I don’t like it when I need to read things I’m not interested in. I like it because we discuss the book. - Would you like more or less reading time at school?
Much more!
Ashley, age 8
- How do you see yourself as a reader? Why?
I think I’m a good reader because at school we have some posters about reading, like ‘read fluently’, ‘go back and read the sentence again’ and lots more, and my name is on some of the posters. - What do good readers do?
Use all the spelling strategies, chunk parts, use expression, sound fluent, sound out, look at the pictures, see if there’s a word in a word. - Do you own any books?
Yes, I own lots of books. - What’s the best book you’ve ever read?
I’m not sure. I like lots of books, like “Peewee’s Tale”, “The Magic Ballet Shoes”, “Go Girls”, “Two Tough Teddies”, “Fancy Nancy”, “Kitten Kaboodle”, “The Box Car Children”. - What’s the best book a teacher has read to you?
“Changes” and “The Twits”. - What do you like most about the teacher reading to you?
Even if the cover doesn’t look interesting to me, I always end up liking the book. - Do you think your teacher likes reading?
Yes, my teacher loves reading. - What sorts of information books do you like?
How people breathe, what different animals eat, recipes - Do you prefer reading on your own or reading with others?
Both. If I read with others they can help me to fix my mistakes. If I read on my own, I can concentrate better. - Do you like or dislike guided reading?
I like that we work together and help each other and I dislike guided reading because sometimes I feel like I want to read on my own.
What insights have you gathered from interviewing your students about their reading habits and attitudes?
The idea of the perodic interview is really a great way to gather information only if you are reflective in your practice. The responses from the students must be taken seriously by teachers to guide their practice/ planning the next stage. Giving consideration to student’s interest cannot be underscored. Wish more teacher would try this.
I did my M.Ed in Reading- Parents assisting their children to read at home. It would be interesting to now conduct similar interviews as above with parents
Hi I am a teacher aide/librarian at a school with approx 130 students, I enjoy helping the students choose books in the library that interest them and books that are at their ability, This is a great questionaire I will show my Principal and try and implement this at our school
Well done and Thank You very much.
Wendy
Great questionnaire and I would also like to go the next step and promote peer questioning. As the students become familiar with the questioning they will eventually identify what makes a good reader and be inspired by the responses of others. It gives more ownership to the learner.