Schools and teachers act to a limited degree in "loco parentis", thus assuming the role of parents, especially in the health and safety of minors in attendance at public school, but also in setting educational standards. Public schools have been delegated this role and implement policies, programs, and procedures that sometimes, unintentionally,…

Noted scholar, teacher educator, and IRA past-president Linda Gambrell answers readers' questions about motivating young and struggling readers.

This author contends that teachers should keep children reading and writing but, more importantly, they need to be sure that children are eager to engage in these activities. Requiring rather than desiring transactions with text does not help to get children hooked on books. Further, she asserts that the words "should" or "ought to" must not be…

Considers how picture books can be used in content classes to motivate secondary-level students. Present a bibliography of approximately 90 picture books (published in the 1990s) and a rationale for their use with middle school and high school students. (SG)

Discusses recent work on the nature of children's motivations for reading, in particular a reading-specific measure of motivation called the Motivations for Reading Questionnaire. (SR)

Children who read only when they have no choice will not become good readers. One of the simplest ways to motivate children to read at all grade levels is for teachers to read to their classes. In this column, the author suggests some steps that teachers can take to make reading more appealing to their students.

In this paper, the author describes reading strategies she used to inspire her students. Teacher modeling followed by student practice became the focus of the guided reading lessons, which included a menagerie of new "reading buddies."

This article discusses how the use of literature-based videos in the classroom can be a unique tool for motivating children not only to learn how to read, but also to read for the pure exhilaration of the experience. Good videos can be incredibly engaging, thereby encouraging children who might not otherwise be curious or interested enough to take…

Discusses adult students of English as a Second Language who are dedicated readers in their primary language, yet have not considered reading as a means of developing their second language ability. Concludes that the case for free reading is strong and that teachers can encourage their students to engage in second language reading activities. (10…

In our theoretical framework, reading engagement entails multiple perspectives on reading that consist of motivational dispositions, cognitive strategies, conceptual understanding, and social discourse. Possessing these attributes, engaged readers are typically higher achievers than less engaged readers, who show fewer of these qualities or less…

Young adult literature (YAL) is an important and valuable tool for helping students learn and for motivating them to read. YAL also helps students gain insights into themselves and others. YAL (1) is written and marketed primarily for teenagers; (2) has main characters similar in age (12-25) to its readership; (3) has relatively uncomplicated plot…