Motivation for Middle School Readers...Lost Cause?

Are you thinking "If they aren't motivated by now, don't waste your time!" I HOPE NOT! It's not too late. If you're a teacher or a parent, you've got the key ingredient in your power...YOUR OWN ENTHUSIASM. Your actions towards reading can influence even a middle school student to change their feelings about reading. Students who used to hate reading of any kind can begin to look for text to read for information or pleasure. I've seen this happen. In a classroom of boys identified with behavior disorders, I saw students reading because they wanted to know about something, enjoyed a discussion and wanted to read more, or they saw a graphic novel that was about a character they liked.

The best story I could share to help you see the positive potential (because you can certainly have a negative potential influence) of your enthusiasm for reading is about a 13 year old who had always hated reading. In the past he had tried to cause a scene in the classroom whenever reading was required. He tried fighting, cussing, throwing things, and even hitting things. The outburst was worth the outcome...no more reading today. Weird part is that he could read on grade-level. But, he really struggled with "keeping up with what the book is about." By Christmas break this guy was picking out books to take home with him because he knew he'd have a long car ride to see his family and could read. In the Spring he said something that I will cherish for always. Basically he said, "I used to hate to read, and now it's weird. I read all the time." I asked him why he thought that was. He said "It's cool! Like a movie in your head." I love that he doesn't remember I told the class that a gazillion times early on when I was building a relationship with them.

So what did I do, exactly? I spoke about reading as a "get to" not a "have to".  I used casual conversation to share things that I learned through reading. I modeled looking for a book that was a "smooth" read for me. Sometimes I'd read part of something (like an excerpt from a description about the book) and think out loud about whether or not I'd enjoy reading that book ("Hmmm, I think I'll pass on this one. I don't even understand the description, so I'm thinking the book won't be my style."). I think the most valuable ingredient was the trust relationship that we had built. The students knew I cared and wanted them to get better at reading for them, not for a grade.

Here's an excellent resource for strategies to use when motivating students to read and getting them engaged in reading. This article goes beyond the skill...it focuses on the WILL. (click here for article)

Happy reading!