[vern250]

Hello,
I have a group of low third graders who have very minimal interest in practicing reading. They don't self correct and really don't have a motivation to practice to become better readers. They do however, love to be read to! They do online reading games and stories like tumblebooks. They listen to stories on CD's. I read to them in class every day and try to get them interested in a book series or type. .....but I am ready to pull my hair out when it comes to read to self (daily five) little to no reading is occurring. They are not interested in books.....ANY SUGGESTIONS?!?!? I am seeing little to no progress in their reading skills....

Thanks!

[relaxing]

I tried putting them in a lit circle reading group (3-4 students) with a very easy chapter book, such as Bailey School Kids. I know they may not have comprehended everything they read but it did get them to read. I let them meet with the group and decide how many pages to read. They did the reading and then met the next day to discuss what they read. I let them go at their pace and did not require any written reading response from them. I did this to get them hooked.

They are eager to do another book and I will let them, but this time I am going to require a written response each day using a graphic organizer or letter to teacher to make sure they are comprehending. I will tell them that if they cannot do the graphic organizer than they should spend read to self time re-reading so they can.

[paullyhi]

Have you tried this? It's like Accelerated Reader in that kids can earn prizes for reading and taking comprehension tests online.

[SunDevilMom]

I, too, do Daily 5 and have groups of students such as you are describing. Does your school have a license for reading a-z? They have wonderful, leveled, reader's theater. My students love them! They create props and I have a large box of "costumes" and accessories that I get at yard sales, etc. They practice in their "reading level" groups, and get to perform for their classmates.

I also have a collection of various types of poems. They do repeated reading for fluency and like to try and "memorize" it so they can read it in their groups.

For my whole class, I have done "The Great Poetry Race" (got the idea from P/T!) It has really motivated them to read at home.

[Ms.brown]

I use the A.R. Program in conjunction with the BOOK IT! Program. I also have my students set monthly goal for themselves and we make a class goal (easier) as well. I have seen that the kids really enjoy "meeting their goals". I give them updates from time-to-time to let them know how close they are to their goals. I also make a big fuss over when they do meet their goal. Another thing that I did this year was start taking A.R. test myself. The kids love the thought of having more A.R. points than their teacher. I have enjoyed it because now I can give them reccomend books to them since I am reading so many books on their level.

[Smiley1985]

I had a group of 2nd graders similar to this. Are they boys? Try nonfiction magazine articles. You can copy materials out of national geographic- you could try the one for kids or even little kids which has much easier words. You should be able to find the magazine at your library. You can use these during your guided reading and then have the children reread the texts that are now fmailiar to them. Also-borders has the leveled reader books in the childrens area. They have several level 1 and 2 books that are high interest topics for older students (2-3) not just k/1.

Good luck!

[elisab1963]

They might like reading their own writing if you can find out what they like, ex. sports, animals, famous people. I like to type the stories on the computer for editing and easy reading.