Rationale
As I reflect back about why I joined the New Literacies and Global Learning program and what I have learned, one topic comes to mind, motivation. As a child, I lacked motivation to read. I remember books were assigned to me by teachers. Most of these books did not interest me and therefore I did not want to read them. When I was student teaching, I saw the same behavior that I displayed as a child in some of my students. I have learned about student motivation in many of my classes. I made it my goal to help students be motivated to read. Naturally, I chose the question “What are effective strategies to increase student motivation in literacy?”
Findings
Three effective strategies to increase student motivation are culturally responsive teaching, technology and quality text. Having a culturally responsive classroom allows connections to be made to the students' lives. This connection helps students to be engaged in the learning. Culturally responsive teaching gives students the opportunity to have books that mirror and window them. Students have the opportunity to learn about other cultures and experiences as well as connect to their own. Allowing students to use technology to read and write will increase their motivation and enhance their learning. Lastly, providing access to quality text through read alouds, choice and mentor text will ensure students are motivated to learn. Reading aloud to students models excitement and interest to engage students. Providing choice to students will help encourage them to be engaged in the reading. Mentor texts catch student’s attention and excite them for their own writing.