When we began talking about the teen survey assignment in class, taking a snapshot of teens (grades 6 to12 ) and their reading habits, I thought I knew exactly who I wanted to survey and why. I know several students that were struggling readers in lower school and are now taking on middle school. Each of these students has received some kind of assistance with their reading while in lower school and I wanted to know if their attitudes toward reading had improved or stayed the same. As an interesting twist every one of the struggling readers had an older sibling that took to reading immediately and loves it. I wanted to survey both siblings. I thought this was a great idea—one problem. I could not come up with a clear concise aim for my survey. I struggled with this. I even wrote out survey questions. Then one question popped out, pointing me to the connection I was really looking for in my survey. What is the difference between kids that love to read and those that don’t? Narrowing my aim to: Is there any common ground between students that love to read and those that rather not? And could this information be helpful for a teacher striving to engage all the learners in their classroom?
These are my survey questions and results:
What is the last book you read?
Love
Halo:The Fall of Reach and The Good Soldiers
The Magicians by Lev Grossman
The Magicians by Lev Grossman and The Haunting of Aliazabel Cray
The Mammoth Book of Arthurian Legends
The Underneath and currently reading The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate
The Graveyard Book
Under The Dome by Stephen King
The Good Soldiers and Cryptonomicon
The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets and Beautiful Creatures
Beautiful Creatures
Where the Mountain Meets the Moon and ttyl
Like
When You Reach Me
Skinny
Hold Still and Ash
Going Bovine
Closed For the Season
Alchemist’s Apprentice and Tales of the Madman Underground
Never Cry Wolf and The Good Soldiers
Invincible Abbdula and The Good Soldiers
Going Bovine
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy
Click
Mocking Bird
Going Bovine
O.K.
Tales of a Madman Underground
Beautiful Creature and Caught Up in the Drama
Going Bovine
Tales of the Madmen Underground
Day Watch
The tales of the Madmen Underground
“Home P figg” might be The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg?
When You Reach Me
Rather Not
Fall of Reach
The Good Soldiers
Closed for the Season
All-in by Pete Hautman
Closed for the Season
Hate that Cat
Hold Still
Zombie Survival Guide
Each Little Bird That Sings and Hold Still
Was it an assignment for school or your choice?
Choice: Both: Assignment:
Love 5 4 2
Like 3 4 5
Like 3 4 5
O.K. 2 5 1
Rather Not 1 3 4
If the last book you read was an assignment for school what was the last book you read that was your choice to read?
Love
Enders Game by Orson Scott Card
The Haunting of Alaizabel Cray
Farewell to Arms
The Messenger
Bud Not Buddy
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Like
Bud Not Buddy
Fallen
Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief
Alchemist’s Apprentice
Invincible Abbdula
Lone Wolves of the Beyond
The Maximum Ride Series
O.K.
Inkheart
Caught Up in the Drama
The Enemy
Catching Fire
“Waryers” might be Warriors
Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants #1
Rather Not
“Cur deu Freak” might be Cirque du Freak
A Percy Jackson Book
Going Bovine
3 Cups of Tea
Closed for the Season
The Clique, Revenge of the Wannabes
Each Little Bird That Sings
Are there members of your family that love to read?
Yes: No:
Love 12 0
Like 13 0
O.K. 6 2
Rather Not 9 0
Comments:
Love: Sooo Many!
Like: !!
Rather Not: Yes!
Which would you rather do for a book report assignment? Give an oral report or written report?
Love
Oral: 7
Reasons for Oral:
I feel I can express my thoughts better through speech
…because you can dissect the book to a greater extent
I would give an oral report because I want to share this book and I want others to know it’s an awesome book.
Because you can get into more details.
I would rather give an oral report because I don’t like reading off a script.
I would want to give a book report for Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets and orally because I got really into it and it’s easier to say out loud.
Because I like to talk about my book and explain better in depth
Written: 5
Reason for Written:
because I would rather not stand up in front of the class, also I wouldn’t accidentally want to give away spoilers for the book.
It is easier to brainstorm and to use better vocabulary.
I am able to be more articulate and meaningful through my writing.
I stutter sometimes and if I have exactly what I want to say down on paper I don’t have to worry about it.
Like
Oral: 5
Reasons for Oral:
A oral that way you could have fun something to do to teach others about your book.
I would rather give an oral report because it’s easier to explain.
I am good at talking and is “casing” my book
It’s easier to explain how you felt or opinions about the book
I would give an oral one so I could think
Written: 8
Reason for Written:
I would rather have a written report because I feel I can put more thoughts into it and I am able to revise it better and easier
I would rather just have to answer a few questions and just have to fill that out and that’s it.
I would do a written report because it would be clearer and I wouldn’t be talking and then have a awkward or repetitive report.
Because then I can erase something If I didn’t like what I put down.
Written because I think I can explain myself more thoroughly.
I’d rather give a written report because though it s nice to have an open discussion about a book it’s good to have my thought all organized and it helps me go deeper into my reading.
Do a written report and elaborate because it is easier for me
Written, because I think it’s more elaborate
O.K.
Oral: 2
Reasons for Oral:
Because it comes out more fluently, I can say everything I want to say Rather than take my own time to write a report
Oral because Make it up on the spot.
Written: 6
Reason for Written:
I am better at writing my thinking rather then say it.
Written because it is just easier to do because you know what you are going to say and because you don’t say um and or so, so many times
Written one so I could read over and make sure I said good things.
So I don’t have to remember
I can take my time and put quality and things that are needed into it.
Because I’m not good at speaking in front of people and I have short term memory loss
Rather Not
Oral: 6
Reasons for Oral:
Because I feel that when I tell people about a book I would rather speak and show pictures.
Because you don’t have to write anything
Oral because I can explain better when I talk
I like talking better than writing
I would oral but I would like to read the book
I would rather give an oral report I do not like typing but, I feel it should be typed because it shows you have done your work
Written: 2
Reason for Written:
I am a horrible speaker on the spot.
Written report, it’s easier for me to get my thoughts out and make sure people understand me
Have you ever listened to a book on tape?
Yes: No: Total Surveyed:
Love 11 1 12
Like 8 5 13
O.K. 5 3 8
Rather Not 6 3 9
Comments:
Love: When I was younger.
If a teacher gave you the option of reading a book for an assignment or listening to that book on tape which would you pick? Reading the book or listen to the book on tape?
Love
Reading: 10
Why Reading?
I feel I have a better time visualizing it and it really depends on the pace, if it’s slow I’s prefer a tape.
I would read because it looks better to parents and teachers. I also might read along to the tape.
Because I prefer to have the actual book, to read it and have it and hold to me the way the author intended. It is more interesting and I can find better stopping points.
I would read a book because for me, it’s easier to make a picture in my head.
It is easier to make pictures in my mind and I can make up what the characters sounds like.
It is easier to just read for me, I hate reading out loud because it helps my spelling and vocabulary.
I would read the book myself so I can read it on my own.
I would read because I feel like when I listen to books on tapes, it is easy to lose engagement in the book. When I read I often stay more focused.
Because I get more into the book if I’m reading it.
I enjoy reading more than listening, if I fall asleep reading, I don’t lose my place, if I fall asleep listening I could miss the whole book.
Listening: 1
Why Listening?
I would want to try a reading tape to see what it was like.
Reading/Listening: 1
I really like to listen to the book while I’m reading it and looking at the pics.
Like
Reading: 6
Why Reading?
I understand more when I read.
I would like to read the actual thing instead of tape because I tend to zone out when its on tape or somebody talking and its easier for me to re it by myself
Reading because then that way I improve my reading skills and I can learn how to spell new words.
Reading because I also love to write and the more I read the better my writing.
It is easier to understand when its mental
It just seems more imaginative
Listening: 4
Why Listening?
Then I can take notes
Because I could just let it play while I do other work and I could probably get further.
It gives a flexibility of time and a chance to multitask not just read and only read. I listen to music a lot. Audio books can just replace my music time.
Because some books are to challenging for me
Reading/Listening: 3
Either one would work for me because I like both so it really doesn’t matter.
Listen to the book or tape possibly though reading because it goes by faster then listening to the book on tape.
It’s hard for me to say because I enjoy taking the time to read on my won but when I have a lot more going on with other homework and life outside of school it’s helpful to listen to a story while I do other things.
O.K.
Reading: 5
Why Reading?
Because it makes it easier to understand and you can go back and read it again and because it is more challenging.
I would like to read it so I can improve my reading
It a lot more simple
I would get distracted and not understand it as well
Because I’m able to get deeper in the book and I can focus more
Listening: 3
Why Listening?
I would like to follow along with the book but I don’t enjoy reading very much so I would rather listen
More relaxing, sometimes a drag to read yourself.
Tape makes “movex”
Rather Not
Reading: 2
Why Reading?
Reading the book because I like it more
I would pick reading because I have not done a book on tape!
Listening: 6
Why Listening?
I am a slow reader.
You don’t have to read your self
I would rather listen to a book
I would pick books on tape because its easier for me, and I would follow along because I don’t like reading
Listening on tape because it is easy for me to follow
I can Listen to a book which I love and I can still be active
Comments:
A little of both because it makes me feel like I can catch up.
Do your teachers have books on tape available in the classroom?
Yes: No: Sometimes:
Love 0 12 0
Like 0 9 1
O.K. 0 7 0
Rather Not 0 6 2
When you find a book you really enjoy is there someone you can share the book with? (mark all that apply)
Love Like O.K. Rather Not
Friend…………………………………9………..6………..5………….4
Teacher………………………………..7………..3………..1………….1
Librarian………………………………0………..0………..0…………..0
Sibling ………………………………..5………..5………..3…………..2
Parent/Adult family member…………..11………7………..3…………...2
Other:
Love….No one, I read “to fast” for them
O.K…..I don’t share it.
Peers/classmates
Rather Not…No one.
Grandma/Papa
Is there an adult in your school that recommends books to you that they think you might enjoy? Books for fun.
Yes: No: Sometimes:
Love 5 2 5
Like 2 3 5
O.K. 2 2 4
Rather Not 4 0 4
Would you like someone at your school (not including your friends) to talk about books with you and have them recommend interesting and fun books to read?
Yes: No:
Love 11 1
Like 6 4
O.K. 3 5
Rather Not 2 6
Love
Why Yes?
Because then I feel I have a good chance to explain my taste and stamina.
Sometimes I don’t know what to read next so I need a recommendation from a teacher or a friend.
Because I love talking about books and giving and getting recommendations. I enjoy conversations about books
Yes, because I think in the perspective of other students they might have interesting suggestions
I think that I would because then there would be more options to read that I have heard.
I know some people who like to read some of the same stuff and we could talk.
I would like that because I like to talk about the books I read.
I appreciate the diversity in other peoples opinions, and I love getting recommendations.
Beacause I like to hear about different books and most of the ones my friends read I’ve already read.
It is hard when you’re a fast reader and no one shares your passion for reading, I would like someone to read with.
I like to talk about books with friends a lot and I want to start a book club but its hard to read others book choices
Why No?
I have enough references of my own to discuss books with.
Like
Why Yes?
Because they’ll be more interesting and more fun.
Well we are required to read books each year (choice books)
Because then I can get more of a variety of books that I may or may not read
Because I have a hard time finding good books so I’d like other peoples input
I think it would help a little
Because I can tell them pros and cons of reading
Why No?
Because it would get annoying after awhile
Because they mite not know what I like to read
Because I like to choose books on my own or listen to someone who knows what I like.
We have more interesting things to talk about.
O.K.
Why Yes?
I think getting book recommendations is a good way to find a book to read.
I would like to get recommendations because they know my reading level.
Because I can talk about it
Why No?
Because I don’t usually like books other people pick so I don’t even waste my time.
Because I don’t think talking about books seems interesting
Because I’m not into reading that much I’d rather keep it for school.
I like to choose my own books
They are boring
Rather Not
Why Yes?
Because I like many book recommendations and my friends keep on recommending the same books
Why No?
?
Because I don’t like to read as much as other people.
I don’t like books
I would like to be with my friends because I feel more comfortable
Because I just want to read the book.
I am really not into talking to adults about books
Please give me at least two book recommendations that you think kids that aren’t excited about reading might enjoy.
Love
Percy Jackson series and Danny, The Champion of the World
House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer and Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card
The Hunger Games and I am the Messenger
Hold Still and Beautiful Creatures
Journey to the River Sea and Hatchet
The Graveyard Book and The Underneath
Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling and Phantoms by Dean Koontz
The Percy Jackson series, any book by Rick Riordan
Each Little Bird That Sings by Deborah Wiles and House of Scorpion by Nancy Farmer
Harry Potter series and The Golden Compass
Hunger Games and The Underneath
The Lightning Thief and Magyk
Like
The Velveteen Rabbit and The Cat and the Hat
My Sister’s Keeper and Go Ask Alice
Lightning Thief and Watsons go to Birmingham and Animal books
The Miraculous Adventures of Rumo and The 13 ½ Lives of Captain Bluebear
The House of the Scorpion and Eragon
Invincible Abbdula and Schooled
Eragon and the Thief Lord
Click and Ship Breaker
Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Lone Wolves of the Beyond
Maximum Ride and The House of the Scorpion
O.K.
Clique series and Flush
Try different genres and read books you like
The Enemy and Ship Breaker
Perks of being a Wall Flower and To Kill a Mocking Bird
No Country for Old Men and The Good Soldiers
Historical books, really “dence” books
When You Reach Me
Kensuek’s Kngdom
Rather Not
“nun” none
“cer deu Freak” maybe Cirque Du Freak and The Good Soldiers
Not Sure
“the ungergass seres”
Invention of Hugo Cabret and Love That Dog and Hate That Cat
The Clique and Umbrella Summer
Hunger Games and Zombie Survival Guide
Out of My Mind and Bud Not Buddy
Do you have an all time favorite book?
Yes: No:
Love 5 5
Like 4 5
O.K. 2 6
Rather Not 6 2
Comments:
Love:
Too many to choose from!
I don’t know honestly.
Yes and No
Like: Yes and No
O.K: Not Yet
If yes, what is the name of your favorite book?
Love
Danny, the Champion of the World
Hunger Games/Catching Fire
Inkheart series, Giver, Number the Stars
Phantoms by Dean Koontz
The Underneath
LOTS
Like
My Sisters Keeper
The Miraculous Adventures of Rumo
The Hunger Games
Lone Wolves of the Beyond
True Grit
O.K.
The Good Girlz
Kensuek’s Kingdom
Rather Not
The Lightning Thief
“cer du Freak”
The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane
Twilight Series and Umbrella Summer
Mice and Men
Diary of a Wimpy Kid
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