Turning kids off reading?

[Erin Ferguson]

This may be a slightly sensitive topic for a public forum, but has anyone had any experience of working with a colleague who actually puts kids off reading?

 

I have worked with a teacher who has no patience when it comes to kids (usually boys) who claim they do not like to read. My reaction when a pupil tells me they don't like to read typically involves feigning horror, joking with them, talking to them about their other interests, and trying to match them up with a book that will suit their interests. However, my colleague is more likely to respond with something like "Tough, this is a library! The point is to read books."

 

Now, there are all sorts of things wrong with that statement, but my present concern is that it is reinforcing the negative stereoptypes these kids have of reading and libraries. I have tried modeling my behaviour for this teacher, but I think a more direct approach is needed.

 

Has anyone been in this situation before? What do you say to a colleague when you disagree on their methods of getting pupils to read? Feel free to respond off forum by contacting me at [e-mail].

 

Many thanks!

[Paula Daubert]

There is an interesting article about turning kids off to reading at www.alfiekohn.org/teaching/nonreaders.htm
Made me think about what I do and how I do it. I don't think it's really what you're looking for, but I would be interested in other people's reaction to it.

[Josie Whitehead]

I am a poet and I write with rhyming and rhythmic poetry, and often children's story poems.  From the point of view of literacy, rhyming and rhythmic poetry is not only fun but actually helps children to develop phonemic awareness, ie the ability to break words down into sounds.  I am finding that my poems are going into classrooms all over the world, ie to classrooms where English is the first language and also where English is the second language.  How many of you are using rhyming and rhythmic poems for the teaching of reading.  It is not only fun for children but very useful too.  Visit my website by Googling JOSIE'S POEMS.  You could start with a Christmas poem perhaps.

[Tamara Cox]

I think I would just say something to her about how much you love the challenge of helping reluctant readers and if she ever has any to send them your way. Depending on how far you think you can push it you could say I see that you don't have much patience with the reluctant readers so just send them to me. Maybe she will get the hint and feel like you are doing her a favor.