¨ Researchable Question
o How does Chestatee High School students’ perception of recreational reading change after participation in a 6-week 15-minute daily independent reading program?
¨ Importance of Study
o It has been my experience that most people agree that reading is good for students and adults alike. However, during my experience as a high school teacher I have seen a very small percentage of students that appear to enjoy reading. In fact, most students appear to avoid reading at all costs: informational or recreational. I believe that getting students hooked on recreational reading is the key to opening reading as a source of information also.
o My feelings are consistent with numerous research findings. According to Cullinan “the amount of free reading done outside of school has consistently been found to relate to growth in vocabulary, reading comprehension, verbal fluency, and general information” and “students who read independently become better readers, score higher on achievement tests in all subject areas, and have greater content knowledge than those who do not” ( 2000). Krashen has also found that “free reading is a consistent predictor of reading ability and that libraries are a major source of reading for children” (1995).
o My study is important because if you can create a more positive attitude in students toward recreational reading they will be more likely to read and that is the key. Krashen states that students “who do more recreational reading show better development in reading, writing, grammar and vocabulary” (2004).
o I believe that the difference my study will make is that the students involved will have a more positive attitude toward reading and then be more inclined to read, which will result in positive achievements over time.
¨ Context of Study
o Chestatee High School (Gainesville, Georgia)
o 15 minutes of daily free reading in the classroom
o 59 students total
§ 1 Study Skills class (11 students),
§ 1 9th Grade Literature/Composition class (27 students),
§ 1 World Geography class (21 students)
o Students may read any book they wish and change their book at any time.
o Study Skills and 9th Grade Lit/Composition class will be assigned a “book recommendation” project where they recommend their selected book to classmates through a presentation. The World Geography students will not have any assignment attached to their reading.
o Media Center will be supplemental in that students can check out books to read for their independent class reading time