Silent reading and discussion of self-selected books in the contemporary classroom

Silent reading and book discussion about books read for pleasure can increase reading frequency and support the strengthening of student engagement in the beneficial practice of recreational reading. However, little is known about children’s attitudes toward and experiences of these pedagogical acti...

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Main Author: Merga, Margaret
Format: Journal Article
Published: AATE 2018
Online Access:https://search.informit.com.au/documentSummary;dn=702325343670795;res=IELHSS
http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/69771
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author Merga, Margaret
author_facet Merga, Margaret
author_sort Merga, Margaret
building Curtin Institutional Repository
collection Online Access
description Silent reading and book discussion about books read for pleasure can increase reading frequency and support the strengthening of student engagement in the beneficial practice of recreational reading. However, little is known about children’s attitudes toward and experiences of these pedagogical activities. Qualitative findings from 47 children aged eight to 11 across 24 elementary schools in Western Australia provide insight into this area of research. Silent reading is typically enjoyable, though dependent on the book, choice, access and reading environment, and it is vulnerable to inconsistent delivery. Very few children had the opportunity to discuss self-selected reading material in the classroom context, though the potential of this discussion for promoting a shared social experience and book recommendations was recognised. These mutually supportive strategies are best delivered separately, and greater consideration and value should be given to them, despite the current assessment-focused, high-stakes learning contexts of contemporary Australian schools.
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publishDate 2018
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spelling curtin-20.500.11937-697712018-10-08T02:28:09Z Silent reading and discussion of self-selected books in the contemporary classroom Merga, Margaret Silent reading and book discussion about books read for pleasure can increase reading frequency and support the strengthening of student engagement in the beneficial practice of recreational reading. However, little is known about children’s attitudes toward and experiences of these pedagogical activities. Qualitative findings from 47 children aged eight to 11 across 24 elementary schools in Western Australia provide insight into this area of research. Silent reading is typically enjoyable, though dependent on the book, choice, access and reading environment, and it is vulnerable to inconsistent delivery. Very few children had the opportunity to discuss self-selected reading material in the classroom context, though the potential of this discussion for promoting a shared social experience and book recommendations was recognised. These mutually supportive strategies are best delivered separately, and greater consideration and value should be given to them, despite the current assessment-focused, high-stakes learning contexts of contemporary Australian schools. 2018 Journal Article http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/69771 https://search.informit.com.au/documentSummary;dn=702325343670795;res=IELHSS AATE restricted
spellingShingle Merga, Margaret
Silent reading and discussion of self-selected books in the contemporary classroom
title Silent reading and discussion of self-selected books in the contemporary classroom
title_full Silent reading and discussion of self-selected books in the contemporary classroom
title_fullStr Silent reading and discussion of self-selected books in the contemporary classroom
title_full_unstemmed Silent reading and discussion of self-selected books in the contemporary classroom
title_short Silent reading and discussion of self-selected books in the contemporary classroom
title_sort silent reading and discussion of self-selected books in the contemporary classroom
url https://search.informit.com.au/documentSummary;dn=702325343670795;res=IELHSS
http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/69771