I'm passing this on from Carol McDonnell.

Julie

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Putting meaningful books in students' hands seems to be one key to get
them reading. Offering interest driven options for Internet projects
also motivates students to read more. 

Our program uses abridged novels in class to encourage outside reading.
Some classes use novel "sets", so that all students read and discuss the
same material. Low level reading materials are also purchased on audio
tape.  Other classes form classroom "libraries". Does anyone remember
the concept of DEAR? (Drop Everything And Read) It works! We do see an
increase in outside reading when students enjoy books in class. Students
often ask to take books home. Last year, several students enjoyed A Tale
of Two Cities (abridged) so much that they checked out the full length
version from the library. One student rented the video.  

Some teachers ask students to choose a book for participation in a
literature circle.  The circles read and report out as a
group-discussing and answering a set of questions, offering a synopsis
to other students, and critiquing the story. I provide teachers with
various culminating activities that range from drawing and captioning a
scene from the book to charting character profiles. It's exciting to see
students animated in discussions, arguing points, sharing ideas, and
helping each other along.

Some of our year round classes have read full length books such as Think
Big by Dr. Ben Carson, and Life is So Good, the story of George Dawson.
Mr. Dawson's story is not only heartwarming and encouraging to emerging
readers, but offers an historical timeline from which many social
studies lessons can evolve. Dr. Carson actually spoke on one of our
campuses, and his message literally kept several of my students from
giving up. My team teaching partner and I presented those students with
a copy of his book. The talk also inspired several students to read
another title by this talented role model.

When we pilot a new title, the students are given the books to keep.
That seems to be another avenue to encourage reading. We also provide
books and dictionaries as "awards". 

Townsend Press has a wonderful offer on their website for low income
students. Students write a letter explaining their situation and can
request up to three books -free of cost- from a list of sixty. (Writing
a business letter is a skill that all students should learn. Receiving a
package is like icing on the cake.) Townsend offers many titles for one
dollar each! To keep costs down, they will Not honor requests from
entire classes or large groups.

Carol McDonnell 

Instructional specialist 
Center for Adult and Family Literacy 
The community College of Baltimore County 
cmcdonne at ccbcmd.edu 



Julie McKinney
Discussion List Moderator
World Education/NCSALL
jmckinney at worlded.org