Valerie Coskrey's Classroom Tools and Ideas

Byby Tabitha Grace Smith

The Reading Crisis
By Tabitha Grace Smith

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Studies indicate that when students get off to a poor start in reading, they rarely catch up. Research shows that children who read well in the early grades are far more successful in later years; and those who fall behind often stay behind when it comes to academic achievement (Snow, Burns and Griffin 1998).

According to the U.S. Department of Education thirty-eight percent of all fourth graders in the United States can't read a simple poem from The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss But research indicates that 90 to 95% of all children can learn to read at grade level with proper intervention. Teachers can make a profound difference in you’re their student’s ability to read by encouraging reading at home. Parenting experts agree that reading at home is essential.

Taking students to the library is an inexpensive and important way to open them up to the wonderful world of books. Who knows, some of their most cherished memories might become browsing through stacks of books finding new “friends” and new adventures? Teach kids how to find their favorite books as it can be overwhelming to find one book in a big sea of books! Suggest some of your own favorite books. I usually suggest teachers read at least one book in the grade level they teach a month. If your school doesn't have a library, check out taking them to a local library. Try PublicLibrarires.com.Read on.

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For students that struggle with reading, try books that address their unique interests. FamilyEducation.com has great recommended reading lists for all age groups. A child who hates reading, but loves sports might enjoy biographies about players, magazines, or “how to” manuals that teach them how to improve their skills in their favorite sport. You can also contact the local library to see what types of programs it offers for children of different ages. And finally, you can create your own programs: organize a “reading club” among your students where all of them read the same book and then discuss it, or create an incentive program with rewards as simple as renting the movie he/she selects after each book read.

Some teachers like having their students present book reports on books they read. This encourages reading comprehension and ensures that your students are actually reading (for extra help in reading comprehension, try MINDsprinting's Reading Comprehension tutoring program). Other teachers like to make sure their students a “subject” every month (like November is a biography, December something holiday related, etc.). However you like to organize your class make sure that reading is a big part of your day!

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