This is the most updated version of the presentation at the National Conference on Differentiated Instruction on July 12, 2011 in Las Vegas, NV.

1. Reaching & Teaching Reluctant Readers in the Urban Classroom Katie McKnight, Ph.D. Katie@KatherineMcKnight.com www.KatherineMcKnight.com Twitter: @LiteracyWorld Facebook: Katie McKnight Literacy

3. What do we know about our students’ reading? 3

4. What do we know about readers? Grigg, W.S., Daane, M.C., Jin, Y., & Campbell, J.R. (2003). The nation’s report card: Reading 2002. Jessup, MD: Education Publications Center. 4

5. Students Most At Risk Grigg, W.S., Daane, M.C., Jin, Y., & Campbell, J.R. (2003). The nation’s report card: Reading 2002. Jessup, MD: Education Publications Center. 5

6. Components of Reading 6

7. The difference between struggling and reluctant readers Motivating our students to actually read Creating choice and gathering engaging resources. 7

8. Let’s Look at Strategies Differentiated Instruction in Reading Getting Books in the Hands of Kids Multimodal Learning 8

9. Differentiation Strategies for Struggling Readers Provide readers who struggle to decode with opportunities to hear the text read aloud (tape assist) Give readers for whom word recognition is a problem supplemental materials that include visual clues to word meaning (or use manipulatives in math) 9

10. Allot additional time for readers who struggle to complete assignments Encourage struggling readers to use the internet because often the symbols and icons that are quite bothersome to good readers provide a means for struggling readers to construct meaning Differentiation Strategies for Struggling Readers

11. Reading and Recreational Reading “Reading ability is positively correlated with the extent to which students read recreationally.” -National Center for Education Statistics. 11

12. Activity Have you now or have you ever been a reluctant reader? What is your reading autobiography? Please turn to 3-4 of your colleagues and discuss 12

13. Why don’t kids read? By the time that kids reach middle school and high school, reluctant readers often: Equate reading with failure Connect reading to school-related tasks 13

14. Some Strategies for reluctant READERS

15. Before Reading ActivityThink Aloud Using sticky notes, demonstrate how readers use the “voice in his head” to: ask questions comment on the reading make predictions make personal connections 15

17. Stop and Write

18. 18 Why Literature Circles? It’s a translation of the adult reading group. Offers a genuine and authentic reading experience. Literature Circles are also known as book clubs, and reading groups. (See my website for more materials on Literature Circles)

19. Get Books in the Hands of Kids! Books that attract reluctant readers include: A catchy cover Print size is larger 19

20. Get Books in the Hands of Kids! Books that attract reluctant readers include: Artwork is exciting and resembles the “real world”. Writing is not composed of longer convoluted sentences: more straightforward. 20

21. Get Books in the Hands of Kids! Books that attract reluctant readers include: Acceptable literary quality. High Interest “hook” within the first 10-15 pages. 21

22. Books that attract reluctant readers include: Interesting characters Not too many characters 22

23. Books that attract reluctant readers include: Plot sustains interest Plot is developed through events and dialogue. Limits lengthy narration. Themes that are appealing to teenagers. 23

24. Reluctant Readers Like Books that: Present role models. Demonstrate problem solving in action. Allow to feel like winners/overcoming odds. Display relationships of all sorts. Capture intensity and uncertainty of their life. Help develop of socially responsible behavior 24

25. Reluctant Readers Like Books with… Single Point of View Graphic Novels Comic Books 25

26. Helping Reluctant Readers, Now Library Card Talking about books Talking about books in the classroom and in the school building Contests Allowing for Student Choice Keep current about books 26

27. How to Reach Me Email: Katie@KatherineMcKnight.com Website: www.KatherineMcKnight.com Twitter: @literacyworld Facebook: Katie McKnight Literacy For more materials and updated powerpoint, see my blog at www.KatherineMcKnight.com 27