Motivation, attention, focus.. these are crucial to learning. This is an aspect that makes reading assessment difficult! It means that reading levels can vary by several grade levels depending on how interesting the topic is to the child. In topics of interest, a child may already know many of the concepts and much of the vocabulary from previous experience. This background knowledge and the motivation greatly affects measured reading level.
We can take advantage of this effect by selecting materials known to be of interest to the child | |
We can also use interest in one area to bridge to new areas. For example, if the child is really interested in soccer, try a couple of selections on soccer, but then try articles that feature soccer but also introduce new vocabulary, for example an article on coaching soccer and motivating players, or an article on sports injuries in soccer. | |
Bridging to a new area can often elicit or awaken new interests and new potential 'bridges'. |
You should not skip the Step by Step section!
See also the chapters on the Web and on Text Editing. |
You can help motivate children to read more and also figure out what interests them by asking them what they have read or done since last you saw them. |