What do the Kids Think?

After reviewing a survey taken by high school sophomores, it becomes apparent that reading (and how much students enjoy it) differs from student to student, but their are definite actions teachers can take to inspire a love of reading. 

What did students cite as the reasons they read...?

• For class

• Because I have to

• For fun, entertainment

• To find out information

• To improve vocabulary

What do they read...?

• Newspapers

• Magazines

• Sports books

• Biographies

• Novels

• Plays

• Poetry

• Comic Books/Graphic Novels

Favorite Genres included:

• Non-Fiction

• Realistic Fiction

• Mystery

• Sci-Fi

• Romance

• Historical Fiction

• Poetry

Most students say they read between 2-4 hours each week, including assignments for school.

Students finish the sentences...

If I read it is because...

• I must for school.

• a book caught my eye at the book store.

• I was in the mood for reading.

• it is interesting or necessary.

• it is a school assignment.

• my teacher told me to.

If I don't read it is because...

• I have something better to do.

• I don't have time, or I'm too tired.

• it takes a lot of time.

• I would rather do something else.

I would read more if...

• videogames weren't so much fun.

• I had more time free from homework and school.

• I could find more interesting books.

• I could read faster.

What's the best part about reading?

• "Picturing the story in my head."

• "Escaping from reality."

• "Learning about history and things that happened to people in the past."

• "It's like watching a movie, yet more detailed."

• "Getting to feel outside of yourself and live the different lives of characters."

• "It can entertain your brain."

What's the worst part about reading?

• "Taking the time to do it."

• "It gets long and sometimes extremely boring."

• "Lengthy, small print."

• "It takes a lot of time; I am a slow reader."

• "Long winded authors and large vocabulary.

For the most part, it sounds like these kids are good readers; they enjoy imagining the stories and entertaining themselves.  Reading creates a door to another world, which is why most adults read, too.  However, (and as teachers can tell you) students often get frustrated at the amount of time reading takes.  Especially in this highly technological age of television and internet, they can get a fun story in a fraction of the time it takes to read a book.  More importantly, most students have not gained a passion for reading that teachers yearn to see in their classrooms.  Students read what they are told, answer questions, take tests, and move on to the next book.  They are ordered to read so much, that they do not want to spend their free time reading anything else.  What do we do to help that?  Go here for some suggestions...