Reading Interest Survey

This year I am teaching fourth grade resource. While I am out of my comfort zone and not as familiar with the literature available for my grade level, I enjoyed researching and honing in on some of my personal favorites.

I couldn’t decide which reading interest survey to use. Since it is so early in the school year, I still do not know many of my students very well. However, luckily for me, I do have a few who I worked with when they were in 2^nd grade. Now they are in 4^th grade. I decided to use a student who is my lowest level reader. According to the Scholastic Guided Reading Program we use, he is reading on a level I for non-fiction text. While we are not "allowed" to test their levels on fiction, I can assume it'll be slightly higher. This particular student tends to day dream most of his days away. He does not read very well, or often. I have observed him sitting there during the DEAR time just flipping the pages of the book. In addition, I have noticed he picks books that may be above his reading level. Initially, I want to stop him and help him select a book more appropriate but I want to continue observing to see if he makes any changes himself first.

A little fun fact, he has a twin brother. Their mother asked for them to be separated in 2^nd grade and ultimately decided that getting two different homework assignments each night for each boy was too difficult for her. Mom does not speak any English. I can totally understand why it would be easier that they be in the same class. I find it ironic how the one twin who is not resource, does not offer to help his struggling brother. Anyways, I gave this student, let’s call him Bob two of the reading interest surveys. You can find his responses below. Interestingly enough, he indicated that reading is not hard for him. He also indicated that he felt sometimes he was a great reader.

 

I also gave him the interest inventory that he had to rate the genres of books. He seemed to enjoy this one and I loved how he picked biographies/autobiographies as his favorite! I asked him who he would love to read about and he told me Barack Obama! Well, his wish is my command.

 

These are the books I selected for my student based off of the reading interest surveys and our conversations.

     

Edwards, R., Harrison, N., & O'Brien, J. (2009).  Who is Barack Obama? New York: Penguin Young Readers Group.

I selected this book about Barack Obama since he expressed interest in reading about him. There are 112 pages in this book and has a lexile level of 740. While I thought the lexile level might be a little too high for him, I am curious to see how he does with something he is interested in reading. There are pictures in this book and it received good reviews!

 

President Obama: A day in the life of America's leader. (2009). New York: Time for Kids        Books.

I selected this book, more so because it is not a book. While it has a lot of pages it is actually a magazine. My hope with this selection is introducing magazines to him as he indicated he does not read magazines in his survey.

  

Grabenstein, C. (2014). Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's library. Random House Children's Books.

I selected this book because I actually attended a meet and greet on campus with Chris Grabenstein. He was clever, witty and super fun! He had such a passion for getting middle school males to read! I personally read this book to my first graders last year and they loved it! I feel like my reluctant reader may really enjoy this book! On a side note, as you can see from his survey, he picked humor as his 2^nd favorite genre of book.

Clements, A. (1996). Frindle. New York: Simon & Schuster.

I picked Frindle because it is very popular amongst middle school readers. The whole concept of frindle is great and really makes readers laugh during reading. I think my student will be hesitant at first but ultimately enjoy this book and want to read others.

     

Sachar, L., & Schick, J. (1990). Wayside School is falling down. New York: Avon Books.

I selected Wayside School is falling down because I remember reading this book as a young reader. I feel by telling my student this was a book I read and loved, he might be interested to see why I enjoyed it when I was his age. I am constantly asked what kind of food I like, shows I watch etc. This may be the perfect opportunity to get on the same level!

At the end of him completing his surveys and me asking additional questions, I explained that I would be selecting some books for him to read and he seemed very interested. I am looking forward to giving him each one to see how he does and what he thinks. 

Reference Books

Clements, A. (1996). Frindle. New York: Simon & Schuster. 

Edwards, R., Harrison, N., & O'Brien, J. (2009). Who is Barack Obama? New York: Penguin Young 

          Readers Group. 

Grabenstein, C. (2014). Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's library. Random House Children's Books. 

President Obama: A day in the life of America's leader. (2009). New York: Time for Kids Books. 

Sachar, L., & Schick, J. (1990). Wayside School is falling down. New York: Avon Books.