Re: [LM_NET] MIDDLE: Boys and Reading: How to motivate?

[Christine Rayl <cjrayl@YAHOO.COM>]

I have a boys' reading group for fifth graders and initially started off with 12 
boys. They were selected on potential of being strong readers but lacked motivation 
to do it. We meet twice a week, they are about to begin book four and while we are 
now down to 6, those six read like there is no tomorrow! To begin with, I provided 
them with 5 selections that I thought might interest them: Gregor the Overlander, 
Percey Jackson (the Lightning Thief), Maximum Ride, etc. I let them choose, as a 
group, which book they wanted to read. Since they selected The Lightning Thief I 
pulled in Greek mythology as a side reading/study and they are eating it up. I do 
NOT require work from them other than they read and come prepared to talk, discuss, 
and eat. 
I've created a blog where I'll post a question or encourage them to post comments 
for others and they love doing that. We have also made Percy Jackson trading cards 
of characters as well as trading cards of the Gods. They have gotten into role 
playing as well, all on their own. Currently they are creating a new character that 
could be found in a Percy Jackson story, focusing on inherited traits from a god 
parent of their choice. From there I'll have them select a scene and discuss how 
that scene would be different if their character was part of the story.
I could go on but won't as you are focusing on slightly older students. I will say 
that having the element of choice if the most important aspect of getting these 
kids to read. There have been quite a few postings about book clubs on LM_NET so 
you might want to check the archives.

Good luck!

Christine Rayl, Librarian
Bowie Elementary 
Grand Prairie ISD, TX

Reading is not a duty, and has consequently no business to be made disagreeable. 

Augustine Birrell


--- On Sat, 3/14/09, Kay Hawkins <bkayhawk@GMAIL.COM> wrote:

> From: Kay Hawkins <bkayhawk@GMAIL.COM>
> Subject: [LM_NET] MIDDLE: Boys and Reading: How to motivate?
> To: LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU
> Date: Saturday, March 14, 2009, 7:39 PM
> I am an MLS student and a new middle school librarian. I am
> investigating
> boys and reading and am looking for success stories. What
> methods have you
> used to motivate boys? I have had some success by adding
> graphic
> novels--Bone books, Naruto, and others--to our collection.
> I have also found
> that many of the boys frequently check out magazines,
> especially gaming
> magazines. This has helped, but I know I am not reaching
> many of my male
> students. Some of them only come in when they have to in
> order to complete
> assignments.
> 
> Has anyone tried boys reading club? Any other suggestions?
> 
> Thank you for sharing! Any and all ideas are appreciated!!
> Kay Hawkins, Librarian
> Curtis Middle School
> Allen, TX
> 
> bkayhawk@gmail.com
> 
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