Parents, you need to model the behaviour you want your teen to develop… they need to see you reading for pleasure! If they see that you find it enjoyable they are more likely to try it as well. Talk about what you have been reading and share the books you think they would like.
Students are more likely to engage in active and effective reading if they have a buddy to help them in their endeavor. The Reading Education Assistance Dogs (R.E.A.D.) program pairs schools with reading dogs. These dogs sit patiently with students and listen while they are read to. If your school cannot, or does not want to, become part of such a program, pair students with stuffed animals and allow them to read aloud to their fluffy companions. The addition of an animal, stuffed or alive, makes the process more enjoyable for student readers and increases their motivation to work toward becoming effective readers.
I'll be honest....reading isn't my favourite thing to do but I at least I give my honest effort in trying to read. Reading to me is very time consuming and can be boring but making it fun is what counts most. Make reading fun by reading the same book as your friends are reading and talk about it.
Stay tuned for more post in the future.......
Austin
