"A Research Project on How Understanding Children’s Book Choices Can Help Teachers Help Their Students" by Jennifer Frederick Reading Inquiry
In her paper “A Research Project on How Understanding Children’s Book Choices Can Help Teachers Help Their Students” Jennifer Frederick (n. d.) focuses on the issue of setting a user-friendly library for primary school students and motivate reading culture. The author addresses specifically the question of addressing students’ requests in books through the year.
The inquiry appeared out of vast professional teaching practice of Ms. Frederick and a scrutinized approach towards dynamics of children’s reading preferences during 2013-2014 among the audience of first graders. The author operates the developments conducted by scholars in this field of study, illustrates her points with data of the study with the focus group of first graders.
The findings presented by the author bear the form of categorized answers to the question what guides kids to choose one set of books over another. Ms. Frederick presented a statement that there are three major factors which heavily impact the discussed process, namely a wide variety of resources to pick from, child’s reading acquisition level, and the element of ownership (Frederick 4). By the concept of variety, the researcher points out the necessity of comprehensive coverage of literary genres on the shelves of the library. As for the criterion of reading skill mastery, the evidence show no correlation between books choice and reading level. The factor of ownership means that teachers should be collaborative and give students some freedom in choosing actual books.
Frederick conducted a research in 2014 with a class of 20 students between 6 and 7 years old. She conducted an interview to identify reading preferences. The results busted several stereotypes about peer pressure as a factor in selection as well of favoring short length of books over the long ones. A significant finding was made that children tend to choose books based on TV series and other popular mass culture movies they watch. They like to bring parallels between heroes depicted on screen and in the book.
The solution that helps to flourish reading is also a strategy similar to the marketing of goods, the teacher has to bear in mind the spatial arrangement of the library for young learners to have titles of books on their eyes levels. Moreover, the place must be large enough as to enable three or so student to be in the place simultaneously. One more important factor is the recommendation of the authority, in our case, Ms. Frederick, that notably influences books choice.
All in all, Frederick’s research enriches teaching strategies in terms of organization of class library for early learners and maintaining an interest in reading.
Works Cited
Frederick J., A Research Project on How Understanding Children’s Book Choices Can Help
Teachers Help Their Students. Children’s Independent Book Selections. Capstone
Project for M. Ed Curriculum and Instruction Emphasis in Children’s Literature, …
