Motivation for Literacy
What the experts say about motivation for literacy:
An engaged reader comprehends a text not only because she can do it, but because she is motivated to do it. ~ John T. Guthrie
The students who thrive are not necessarily the ones who come in with the perfect scores. It's the ones who love what they're doing and go at it vigorously. ~ Carol Dweck
When teachers encourage intrinsic motivation in students by making the reading activities in class relevant, students initiate and persist with the reading tasks. ~ Angela McRae & John T. Guthrie
Read more about motivation for literacy!
OVERVIEW of motivation for literacy
Activities that promote enjoyment of books and appreciation for the usefulness of reading and writing motivate students. Classroom learning communities that engage students in creative, relevant and meaningful literacy activities support the development of motivation for literacy. Student engagement in learning is a predictor of academic success and promotes inquiry and knowledge building.
PROMOTING motivation for literacy
Establishing motivation for literacy is particularly important in the early grades when it may not be obvious to young children why they should care about learning to read and write. However, teachers should strive to make literacy activities motivating at all grades. Once students have a foundation of skills, integrating literacy activities into subject areas can be used to generate interest. Interested students learn more!
ASSESSING motivation for literacy
Observe students regularly to determine their levels of motivation for literacy. Do they actively select books? Are they eager to write? Keep in mind that success is a powerful motivator. If students are not eager to read and write, ask yourself why. Is the task too difficult or too easy? Is the topic of interest to them? Focus assessment on finding ways to increase student success, interest and engagement.
Featured Videos
The Eggspert Learning Toy:
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Pac Mangles:
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Dealing with First Day Jitters:
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All Motivation for Literacy Recipes
Starfall at the Computer Center: Mox's Shop Teaches the "Short o" Sound (Virtual Tour)
Writer's Workshop: Modeling and Guiding the Writing Process in Kindergarten (Virtual Tour)
Letter of the Week: Engaging Activities to Practice Letter Names and Sounds (Virtual Tour)
Amazing Authors: Developing a Writing Style (Virtual Tour)
Author of the Month: Using an Author Study to Practice Data Management (Virtual Tour)
Reading Corner: Creating a Space for Students to Explore Texts
Writing Wizards Portfolio Wall: Tracking Progress Throughout the Year (Virtual Tour)
Classroom Mailbox: Motivating Students to Write Letters to Friends (Virtual Tour)
The Portable Desk: Engaging in Learning Using a Clipboard (Virtual Tour)
Dealing with First Day Jitters: Promoting Motivation for Literacy (Virtual Tour)
Literature Circles: Fostering Critical Thinking and Oral Communication (Virtual Tour)
Parts of Speech: Developing Spelling Skills (Virtual Tour)
Student Made Books: Promoting the Enjoyment of Writing (Virtual Tour)
Teeny Tiny Books: Writing Narratives (Virtual Tour)
Everywhere Man: Integrating Music and Literacy through Song Writing (Virtual Tour)
Teaching Tip: Creating Individual Blackboards (Virtual Tour)
Celebrating One Hundred Books: Promoting the Enjoyment of Reading in Second Grade (Virtual Tour)
Sock Creatures: Promoting Writing through Sewing (Virtual Tour)
Earthworms, Snails and Hermit Crabs: Integrating Science and Literacy with a Terrarium (Virtual Tour)
Flower Power: Integrating Math, Art and Literacy (Virtual Tour)
Fraction Friends: Developing Informative Writing (Virtual Tour)
Pac Mangles: Integrating Mathematics and Literacy (Virtual Tour)
Create a New Song!: Building Phonemic Awareness through Play
Investigating Cereal: Integrating Literacy and Science Instruction
Pick a Part!: Improving Reading Fluency
Safety Tips: Creating Authentic Opportunities for Informative Writing
Making Teddy Bears: Motivating Descriptive Writing
Party Invitations: Motivating Students to Write Informatively
Real-Life Examples, Fact, and Fiction: Building Knowledge at the Beginning of a Content Area Unit
Alphabet In My Mouth!: Reviewing Alphabet Letter-Sounds
Television Stars!: Developing Oral Language Skills
Reader's Notebook: Motivating Students to Read, Write, and Reflect
The Lost Suitcase: Creating a Purpose for Descriptive Writing
Photo Essays: Using Pictures to Guide Written Compositions
Picky Puppet: Promoting Phonemic Awareness
Classroom Post Office: Letter Writing for Motivation and Communication
Bag of Mysteries: Using Descriptive Language
Word Trains: Developing Concepts of Print
All About Me Autobiography: Writing from Personal Experience
Tableau Summaries: Using Action Strategies to Deepen Comprehension
Class Photo Library: Motivating Descriptive Writing
Crazy Comics: Developing Voice by Writing Dialogue
Wheel of Fortune: A Word Wall Activity
Fun with Predictable Stories: Developing Concepts of Print
Home Journals: An Authentic Writing Activity
Bubble Gum Letters: A Persuasive Writing Activity
Inspiring Charms: Scaffolding Oral Expression and Narrative Writing
How To Fold a Tetrahedron: Motivation for Procedural Writing
A is for Alphabet Book: Using Alphabet Books to Promote Early Literacy Skills
Practicing Poetry: Developing Fluency at the Poetry Center (Virtual Tour)
Growing Flowers: Keeping Track of Books Read (Virtual Tour)
Celebrating One Hundred Books: Promoting the Enjoyment of Reading in Fourth Grade (Virtual Tour)
Exciting Picture Messages: Engaging Students in the Writing Process (Virtual Tour)
Home-School Connection: Practicing Letter Sounds and Sight Words (Virtual Tour)
Lets Play Bingo: Practicing Letter Sounds (Virtual Tour)
Writing Center: Using Whiteboards to Practice Spelling Words (Virtual Tour)
Learn to Read with Starfall: Using the SMART Board to Develop Letter Sounds (Virtual Tour)
Starfall: Developing Letter Sounds with an Engaging Website (Virtual Tour)
Website Word Families: Engaging Students with Starfall (Virtual Tour)
Story Re-enactment: Promoting Comprehension with an Oral Retell (Virtual Tour)
Felt Board Retell: Promoting Comprehension with an Oral Retell (Virtual Tour)
Monthly Storyboard: Promoting the Enjoyment of Writing (Virtual Tour)
Question of the Day: Promoting Oral Language and Motivation for Literacy (Virtual Tour)
Name Game: Developing Phonemic Awareness in Kindergarten (Virtual Tour)
Reading in Kindergarten: Promoting the Enjoyment of Reading (Virtual Tour)
SMART Board Book Interaction: Promoting the Enjoyment of Reading With Technology (Virtual Tour)
SMART Board Riddles: Promoting Motivation for Literacy with Technology (Virtual Tour)
Making Apple Sauce: Learning Procedure Writing in Kindergarten (Virtual Tour)
Personal Browsing Bins: Building Interest in Reading in Kindergarten (Virtual Tour)
StarFall Center: Learning and Applying Letter-Sounds in Kindergarten (Virtual Tour)
Interactive to Independent Writing: Learning and Applying Concepts of Print (Virtual Tour)
Taking a Math Shapes Walk: Interactive Writing about Schoolyard Observations (Virtual Tour)
Small Group Shared Reading: Building Motivation for Literacy and Concepts of Print in Kindergarten (Virtual Tour)
Supported Dramatic Play: Building Vocabulary and Oral Language in Kindergarten (Virtual Tour)
Interactive Writing in Kindergarten: Sharing the Pen to Promote Engagement (Virtual Tour)
Learning Luggage: Taking Engaging Literacy Activities Home for Practice with Parents (Virtual Tour)
Seasons of Our Learning: Remembering What Has Been Done Over the Year (Virtual Tour)
Walk and Stop: Finding Letters and Common Words Around the Classroom (Virtual Tour)
Meaningful Word Walls: Using Childrens Names and Familiar Sound-Prompt Pictures (Virtual Tour)
How to Make a Fire Truck!: Launching Procedural Writing by Integrating Social Studies and Literacy (Virtual Tour)
Daily Read Alouds: Using Non-Fiction and Math Books in the Literacy Program (Virtual Tour)
Making it Real!: Using Sentence Strips with Pictures to Retell a Lived Experience (Virtual Tour)
Wonder Box: Inspiring Creative Writing through Unusual Picture Cues
Listening Center: Supporting Understanding with Props (Virtual Tour)
Drive-Thru Blending in PreK/K: Building Phonemic Awareness and Letter-Sounds (Virtual Tour)
Starfall at the Computer Center: Mox's Shop Teaches the "Short o" Sound (Virtual Tour)
