Reading surveys have been a complete game changer for me. The information provided from interest inventories and attitude surveys has been invaluable to my instruction and relationships with my students. Reading surveys can make a tremendous impact on students’ motivation to read and their confidence in themselves as readers.
If you’re unfamiliar with reading surveys or would like to learn about recommendations for surveys you can use, be sure to check out Part 1 of the reading surveys series to learn what surveys are and Part 3 of the series to find out how to administer them.
Why Did I Start Using Reading Surveys?
When I first became a reading specialist, I struggled to find ways to motivate my 4th and 5th graders. They were reluctant readers and had very little interest in reading the passages from the research-based intervention program we were using (and who could blame them?). After much frustration, I asked my principal for permission to try a more flexible approach to provide students with choices for their reading and more high interest texts. But in order to plan for this type of instruction, I needed to find out more about my students to figure out what might be the most motivating for them. As a result, I began using reading interest and attitude surveys.
It has been one of the best strategies I’ve implemented and has made a tremendous impact. Find out 4 reasons why you should be implementing these surveys with your students!
4 Reasons to Administer Reading Surveys
Build Relationships
with your Students
By administering reading interest and attitude surveys, teachers gain valuable information not only about students as readers but as individuals also. It helps know students’ likes/dislikes, hobbies, and perceived strengths/areas of growth. I’ve been able to have animated conversations with students after finding out we share a love of the Dallas Cowboys or some Redskins fans like to give me a hard time for my choice in a team! But it allows teachers to form these connections and get to know students better as individuals. Building meaningful relationships is the most important thing a teacher can do to help their students be successful.
Increase Student
Engagement and Motivation
One benefit of taking the time to get to know your students better is they feel like you care about them as individuals, which goes a long way in helping to engage and motivate them throughout the school year. They are also more engaged because they feel heard and valued. Students feel they have some input in their own education when teachers incorporate their interests into the classroom.
One way to do this is by purchasing books or providing book recommendations for students based on their interests. Aren’t we as adults more motivated to read something that interests us versus something we are told we have to read? Let’s show that consideration for our students by providing opportunities to read what interests them.
Click here to find out more details about the extremely effective strategy I use to provide students with specific book recommendations. Plus download a FREE Resource!
Plan More
Targeted Instruction
Administering reading interest surveys can actually make it easier to plan instruction. It provides a targeted purpose for reading instruction. Yes, we are still expected to teach the standards by why not teach them through high interest texts? If the vast majority of students are interested in sports, then find a variety of texts about sports to teach the required curriculum. If several students report on their attitude survey that they struggle with understanding unknown words in texts, you can plan mini-lessons on vocabulary strategies.
Progress Monitor
Students’ Growth
Students’ progress should not just be measured by their reading levels or test scores. Teachers can monitor progress in more meaningful ways. Administering interest and attitude surveys multiples times a year can provide great insight into students’ reading progress.
Ideally, through your instruction, students are gaining confidence in themselves as readers and expanding their horizons by reading different genres they had not previously enjoyed. Giving the surveys throughout the year allows you to see if their attitudes and interests are changing as a result of your instruction. Click to view the monthly surveys I administer.
Surveys Success
After I started administering the surveys, my most reluctant readers have become some of my most engaged readers. The data from the surveys allowed me to provide students with books that actually interest them. Students who dreaded reading now beg me for more time. One of my 5th graders said, “I love reading now, and that is something I’ve never said before.”
I love reading now and that is something I’ve never said before.
5th Grade Student
This change is because students feel a sense of ownership in their learning since it incorporates their interests. After seeing the positive impact the reading interest and attitude surveys had on my students and their reading progress, I now make sure I find time to administer them multiple times each year.
Interested in administering reading surveys with your students? Here are the Reading Interest and Attitude Surveys I use with my students.
Are you already administering reading interest inventories and attitude surveys with your students? Have you found them to be beneficial? Share your experiences in the comments!
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