Meet them Where They Are: Engaging Instruction for Struggling Readers

Abstract

Purpose – To provide classroom teachers with the rationale and methods necessary to grow the engagement of struggling readers.Design/methodology/approach – The chapter is organized as a series of mini case studies.Findings – Provides a comprehensive description of the methods/practices used with each student or group of students in order to encourage methodological replication.Research limitations/implications – This is not an exhaustive overview of engaging methods, but the case studies should be familiar to classroom teachers and reading specialists. The authors carefully explain how the methods were differentiated for each student or group of students. In addition, the methods are described in sufficient detail so as to ensure that readers can utilize the methods and/or practices with their struggling readers.Practical implications – The chapter advocates that classroom teachers and/or reading specialists carefully consider motivation when planning intervention. The crafted case studies illuminate how such planning and delivery might be implemented.Originality/value of chapter – In order for struggling readers to engage with text for purpose and pleasure, a responsive approach is necessary. Such an approach considers motivation as a critical competent of effective intervention.

Citation

Marinak, B.A. and Gambrell, L.B. (2013), "Meet them Where They Are: Engaging Instruction for Struggling Readers", Ortlieb, E. and Cheek, E.H. (Ed.) School-Based Interventions for Struggling Readers, K-8 (Literacy Research, Practice and Evaluation, Vol. 3), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 41-60. https://doi.org/10.1108/S2048-0458(2013)0000003006