Fostering Reading Cultures in Schools

5 Reasons Students Don't Read in School

(and how school teachers and librarians can change this to create a positive reading culture)

1. They don't get to choose what they read

Students often don't have any input in what they read at school. They have to read a particular chapter from their textbook or a particular novel. Many students don't do the readings they are assigned because they aren't engaged in it.

Allow students to read for pleasure and provide them with choice

Students need to be able to choose their own reading material. In my classroom, I provide students with choice by using literature circles. The books I offer all share a particular theme or conflict, but there is a wide variety of subjects to choose from. I also allow students to choose their own book for an independent novel study. This way students are able to spend time in the library finding a book that sounds interesting to them.

2. They have to answer questions after each chapter or fill in worksheets

Students don't become engaged in a book by simply answering questions at the end of each chapter or filling out vocabulary worksheets.

Create engaging multi-modal lessons and activities

Students need to be engaged in what they are reading through lessons and activities and using student-centred rather than teacher-led activities will help. Using inquiry-based projects that focus on developing critical literacy is one way to accomplish this. For example, I have students conduct mock trials by putting a character from the novel on the stand, or they make a newspaper or blog as we read through the novel together, or they put on Shakespeare performances by creating a music video or a putting on a puppet show.

3. They have to attend boring author presentations

We have all attended our fair share of presentations that are uninspiring. Students will not be inspired to read a book if the author isn't a passionate speaker.

Author visits can inspire readers.

Broken Sky Chronicles #1: Below (Illustration). (2014). 
Retrieved from http://www.harpercollins.ca/ 9781443407793/
broken-sky-chronicles-1-below

 Last year our school brought in a local author, Jason Chabot, to speak about how he became a published author and the lengthy process he had to go through to get there. He is an inspiring speaker who was able to connect with our students; his passion for writing (and reading) was apparent. He gave out a few copies of his first novel, Below (Read Sample Chapter), and the students who received copies were excited to read the book over the weekend. They loved it and couldn't wait for the next book in the trilogy to come out. Writers can inspire readers!

4. They can never find a good book to read 

Students constantly struggle to find a book they are interested in reading when browsing the library shelves because they don't know where to look or what authors they would like.

Reclassify fiction books by subject rather than by author

Juhasz, V. (illustrator). (2012). Dewey is not amused!
Was he ever though?(Cartoon), Retrieved from https://librarycartoons.wordpress.com/2013/02/03/
dewey-is-not-amused-was-he-ever-though/

Our school library hasn't made the switch yet, but a few school libraries I have been to in BC are starting to reclassify and reorganize their fiction section. Reclassifying the fiction books in the library is important to fostering a culture of reading in the library. Students have a difficult time finding books they are interested in reading because they don't have a particular author they look for, they have a particular subject they are interested in reading about. There are different methods to classifying resources; although most libraries continue to use the Dewey Decimal System. A couple of methods that have been gaining popularity over the last few years are the Metis model and the Sur~F model. Rather than classifying the fiction books by author, the books are classified by subject. Many libraries are tossing out the Dewey Decimal system altogether and reclassifying the non-fiction section as well. I think it is still important that students, especially in high school, still know how to locate non-fiction books using the Dewey Decimal System because universities and colleges have not made this switch and students need to know how to use this system.

5. They have negative views of the library

Students quite often hold the stereotype that a library is silent, musty smelling, and full of old books. That is no longer the case in many school libraries across BC.

Transform the Library into a Library Learning Commons

Our library is in the midst of making the transformation to a Library Learning Commons. We have a library space with flexible seating, access to technology, and spaces where students can meet and collaborate without feeling like the librarian is going to shush them. Many school libraries in the BC are making this change and students are beginning to see the library as a space where they can feel comfortable reading a book, exploring different topics, finding information from around the world, and connecting with people face to face or online. The Library Learning Commons will be at the centre of the school with a positive reading culture as shown in this video by BCLibraries (2011).

References:

Balas Kaplan, T., Dolloff, A., Giffard, S., & Still-Schiff, J. (2012). Are Dewey's days numbered?: Libraries nationwide are ditching the old classification system. School Library Journal. Retrieved from http://www.slj.com/2012/09/collection-development/are-deweys-days-numbered-libraries-across-the-country-are-giving-the-old-classification-system-the-heave-ho-heres-one-schools-story/

BCLibraries. (2011, October 18). Learning Commons in BC [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LglFl1BYfFs

Broken Sky Chronicles #1: Below (Illustration). (2014). Retrieved from http://www.harpercollins.ca/ 9781443407793/broken-sky-chronicles-1-below

Gibson, M. (2011). Innovative 21st century classification schemes for elementary school libraries. School Library Journal 57(2), p. 48. Retrieved from http://connection.ebscohost.com/c/articles/ 60167178/innovative-21st-century-classification-schemes-elementary-school-libraries

Juhasz, V. (illustrator). (2012). Dewey is not amused! Was he ever though?(Cartoon), Retrieved from https://librarycartoons.wordpress.com/2013/02/03/dewey-is-not-amused-was-he-ever-though/