Read-In and Reading Encouragement

[Scott]

Washington DC is having a book read-in today to promote reading in the community.
http://www.dclibrary.org/readin

I was wondering what other communities do to promote reading in the community. Obviously, schools are an important factor in encouraging reading among students, but it can often be a bit too heavy-handed (it is required).

I am about to start the mentoring sessions for my seventh graders for Literature and had a tough time getting them excited about reading last year (as sixth graders). They are a bit more mature and I was hoping to get them interested by discussing more "grown-up" topics and introduce the fact that for centuries books have been the method for change and presentation of "racy" topics.

I am interested in successful tips on encouraging them without it being obvious (I don't like "assigning" homework for an after-school program - they need to focus on their schoolwork first). It would be nice to get them excited about reading for their own interest (and without them realizing it).

Thanks!
.scott.

[Ralph Gallagher]

The best thing you can do is to choose and suggest books that will interest them. Seventh graders aren't going to want to read long boring books like Charles Dickens. If you pick more modern books about thing that affect their own lives (drugs, sex, violence, etc.) you have a better chance of getting them into book. Ellen Hopkins in particular has a lot of realistic YA books that deal with problems that everyday teens and preteens deal with.

Even if you pick older books for them to read, find subjects and genres that will interest them. When most kids that age think of books, they think boring, so you need to show them that there are book that they'll enjoy. If you don't get them reading book they like, they'll never want to read and will just stick with their movies and video games.

[Nancy]

Scott, do you read the books you assign your students? I think involving them in discussion about what they're reading rather than giving them "assignments" will help spark interest. I second the recommendation for Ellen Hopkins. She writes in a very readable style and explores issues relevant to young people.

[Scott]

thanks ya'll. I will look into Ellen Hopkins. I wouldn't recommend a book unless I have read it before - I wouldn't want to get into material that would be inappropriate for a seventh grader, although the stuff they say!

I do read whatever they have to read. My "reading encouragement" is secondary to the lesson plan I have to teach.

Thanks,
.scott.

[Bill, Moderator]

Dickens boring?! I think he would have been when I was in 7th grade :-)

I ws trying to remember what I read then. I remember reading a lot of SciFi - Heinein, Asimov etc. There are some well done works from these authors. I think the Hobbit is brilliant, but had not been published when i was that age.

A couple of short stories that popped into my mind: "Rocking Horse Winner" by DH Lawrence and "A Clean, Well-Lighted Place" by Hemingway, both brilliant, though the latter may be too mature. Another short story by Asimov, "Nightfall" may be more enjoyable for 7th grades. All 3 are almost perfect short stories.

I modern book which I think will be a classic is Cory Doctorow's "sequel" to 1984, Little Brother. I think it would be appropriate for 7th graders, esp as it is about kids vs the system. I have sent all of my grandkids a copy. The oldest is 11.

What books are you considering?

[Doug]

For the boys, pick a book with either "butt" or "fart" in the title with some great graphics added and they seem to just love them.

At the library, we love to encourage reading and because we are not the school, we can really highlight the fun reading and and graphic novel aspects of things.

Scott, check out the Maryland Black Eyed Susan awards, every year about ten books are awarded in several age categories and they are usually modern, popular authors, and the schools often give them out as summer reading books, but they are books kids really seem to like and want to read. And I have read several and they are pretty good.

[Scott]

Kernos - Thanks, I will check those out. I am not sure I can sell the sci fi to the girls, but it will work for Mike, possibly.

I found out that one of my scholars has been pulled into another group - I know it is not so nice, but I am relieved. Frankly, four was a lot to handle, one-on-one, and Brandon has attention issues and it was amazing how he could side track everyone!

Mike love skate boarding so I am going to try and find a descent book about a skate boarding :)

I have set them up with vocab/literature journals - we will see how that goes.

Doug - I wrote MD BES awards down - I'll check those out when I get a moment :)

Thanks ya'll. to another year with the children.