Promoting Intrinsic Reading: Implementing Literature Circles with Intermediate-Grade Students and Preservice Teachers

By Angela Rutherford, LeAnn Carter, Tamara Hillmer, Mary Kramer, Ashley Parker and Sarah Siebert.

Published by The International Journal of the Book

Format	Price
Article: Print	$US10.00
Article: Electronic	$US5.00

This practice focus paper describes the research base that attitudes toward reading and motivation to read for pleasure decrease as students progress through the grade levels. The practice of using literature circles to promote more positive attitudes and increase intrinsic motivation was implemented when a university and school district forged a partnership to provide a summer reading camp that focused on reading for enjoyment. The camp provided field experience for preservice teachers who led intermediate-grade students in discovering and/or reinforcing the joys of reading for pleasure. Parents, preservice teachers, and intermediate students provided positive feedback that indicated the camp was extremely beneficial in promoting intrinsic motivation and an enjoyment for reading. In addition, preservice teachers described this work as one of the most rewarding field experiences they have encountered in their preservice education.

Keywords:	Motivation, Engagement, Literature Circles, Novels, Preservice Education

International Journal of the Book, Volume 6, Issue 4, pp.43-50. Article: Print (Spiral Bound). Article: Electronic (PDF File; 526.892KB).

Dr. Angela Rutherford

Assistant Professor and Director, Center for Excellence in Literacy Instruction, Curriculum and Instruction, The University of Mississippi, University, MS, USA

Dr. LeAnn Carter

Assistant Professor, Curriculum and Instruction, The University of Mississippi, University, MS, USA

Tamara Hillmer

Instructor, Center for Excellence in Literacy Instruction, Curriculum and Instruction, The University of Mississippi, University, MS, USA

Tamara Hillmer works with the Center for Excellence in Literacy Instruction (CELI) and is an instructor of the Department of Curriculum and Instruction teaching literacy courses to undergraduate teacher candidates. She earned her B.S. in Elementary Education from Blue Mountain College and her M.Ed in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Mississippi. Mrs. Hillmer has taught eleven years in the public school system where she served in the following capacities: Teacher Support Team Coordinator, Technology Coordinator, Yearbook Editor, WebMaster and Reading Specialist. Tamara Hillmer has been chosen as Teacher of the Year twice during her teaching career. She was also awarded the University of Mississippi’s Outstanding Master Degree Student in Elementary Education in 2006.

Mary Kramer

Reading Intervention Specialist, Oxford School District, Oxford, MS, USA

Ashley Parker

Instructor, Center for Excellence in Literacy Instruction, The University of Mississippi, University, MS, USA

Sarah Siebert

Graduate Assistant, Curriculum and Instruction, The University of Mississippi, University, MS, USA

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