热度 1 已有 351 次阅读 2012-3-8 11:13 个人分类:英语学习 系统分类:英语学习 essential , something , children , teachers
As writers, we're already sold on the premise that reading is fundamentally enriching as well as essential. However, reading is a skill that eludes a growing number of children, reluctant readers who have never been engrossed in a book, or who think of reading as a chore, work to do rather than something to enjoy. More school systems, teachers, and parents are realizing that they need to reach children who are not reading at their grade level as early as possible, when they're still receptive to positive reading influences.
Demographically, reluctant readers are three times more likely to be boys than girls1. They also tend to have a narrower reading focus, subject matter-wise. When examining the problem of reluctant readers, researchers and teachers have determined that what makes a good reader is, simply, more time spent reading. That is, a child's reading fluency increases as they have more opportunities to practice, especially when their practice meets with a high level of success2,3.
In response to the growing need for reading material to assist reluctant readers, a sub-genre has emerged: Hi/Lo books--high interest, low reading level (also "low vocabulary" or "low ability"). Aimed at children in the intermediate grades, middle through high school, these books are short, running from 400 to 1,200 words, with many illustrations. They are packaged to look like traditional chapter books so that struggling readers are not further stigmatized--especially important since struggling readers are probably already suffering self-esteem problems due to their reading difficulties.
Works for reluctant readers share many of the qualities that works for fluent readers do. They have strong characterization, featuring realistic protagonists that readers truly care about, with exciting storylines about interest topics. The best Hi/Lo books will appeal to both fluent readers as well as reluctant readers; the fluent readers will simply be able to get through them quicker.
However, Hi/Lo books must also provide supports that can assist the reading abilities of a struggling reader:
Some publishers of Hi/Lo books:
Capstone Press
http://www.capstonepress.com
Publishes material for grade 2-4 level reading ability students with content
that appeals to grade 5 students and higher.
DK Readers
http://schools.dk.com/static/classroom/reluctant_readers.html
Publishes simple, richly illustrated texts aimed at reluctant readers.
High Interest Publishing
http://www.hip-books.com/hipstory.html
Publishes novels that are specifically written for reluctant readers ages 8
to 18.
High Noon books
http://www.highnoonbooks.com
Focuses on titles written at a grade 1-4 readability level.
Orca Book Publishers
http://www.orcabook.com
Primarily publishes Hi/Lo fiction geared at interesting boys in middle
school through high school.
Remedia Publications
http://www.rempub.com
Publishes texts used in the classroom with an emphasis on basic skills
acquisition and repetition.
Tea Leaf Press
http://www.tealeafpress.com/educators.html
Specializes in a number of Hi/Lo series for older students who read at the
grade 3-5 level.
Whitecap Kids (Canada)
http://www.whitecap.ca
Publishes fiction and scientifically accurate nonfiction presented in an
appealing and easy-to-read format for young readers.
More reading on reaching reluctant readers:
Kennedy, E. (n.d.). Resources for Reluctant Readers. About.com.
http://childrensbooks.about.com/cs/reluctantreaders/a/reluctantreader.htm
Rog, L. & Kropp, P. (2001). Hooking Struggling Readers: Using Books They
Can and Want to Read. Reading Rockets.
http://www.readingrockets.org/articles/374
References