Abstract
The reading of real books is the ultimate aim of reading instruction and the hinge that opens the door to a lifelong love of reading. However there appears to be little available time for self-selected reading of real books in today's test driven, standard's based curriculum. The time needed to achieve this goal of motivated, independent readers has taken a back seat to reading time filled with instruction on phonics, skills and comprehension strategies. Children have been expected to "read when they finish their work" or "read at home." Educators face a three dimensional dilemma: teaching children how to read, providing time, space, and selection of relevant literature in the classroom, and finally, instilling in children the desire to choose to read such that they become lifelong readers. This study aimed to address the effects of reorganizing the classroom so that children spend more time actually reading than they do learning about reading. The study proposed that teachers can increase student motivation to read by allowing self-selection of appropriately leveled books, providing time within the school day for independent reading, and engaging students in interactive book discussions and book activities with peers. Determining a valid approach to motivating students to do more wide reading may help educators counteract the decline in reading as students enter the intermediate grades and on into adulthood. The teacher researcher established her classroom as the treatment group in order to follow students' reading preferences, volume, interest, and instructional reading level over a 10week period. Students in the fifth grade intervention classroom received 20 minutes of independent reading time, self-selection of reading materials, and an additional time allotment of 10 minutes for literature based social activities and book talks. Data gathered from the intervention classroom included the following: (a) student surveys that addressed preferences, attitudes, and behaviors involving reading; (b) on-going reading logs and Student Record Reports from the Accelerated Reader program that monitored reading volume; (c) Pre and post STAR Reading tests to determine instructional reading level and a reading range ZPD (Zone of Proximal Development); and, (d) researcher observations and notes taken during book talks, as well as book wall contributions made by students in treatment group. Several conclusions were reached at the end of this study. Students in the intervention classroom demonstrated several positive effects of the treatment: 1. Their motivation to read was enhanced through book talks and book wall contributions as meaning and personal connections were made resulting in deeper understanding of the text. 2. Their Instructional Reading Level (IRL) improved as observed in a positive correlation between pre and post scores on the STAR Reading Assessment. 3. Their self efficacy beliefs increased as seen in students choosing books at a higher level, completing more books, and learning to share their personal reflections of the literature. 4. Students demonstrated an increased eagerness to read as a result of experiencing reading as an interactive social activity shared with peers. It can be concluded that a strong relationship exists between providing independent reading time and interactive book activities and the students' desire to read and continue reading.