Date Approved

6-28-2001

Embargo Period

5-24-2016

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

M.S. in Teaching

Department

Interdisciplinary and Inclusive Education

College

College of Education

Advisor

Robinson, Randall

Subject(s)

Book clubs (Discussion groups); School children--Attitudes; Third grade (Education)

Disciplines

Elementary Education and Teaching

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify a method of improving the reading attitudes of elementary students. A book club program was chosen as the treatment because it incorporates sociocultural perspectives in learning and opportunities to put previously learned skills to use. An experimental and control group of third grade students, with 28 children in each group, were administered the Elementary Reading Attitude Survey (ERAS), an instrument that tests attitudes toward recreational and academic reading. After determining beginning attitudes, the experimental group participated in a book club, which utilized small group reading sessions followed by whole class discussions of main ideas, characters, and perspectives. Students also completed weekly writing assignments. At the conclusion of the book club, the experimental and control groups were retested for any change in attitude. Beginning and ending scores were totaled and means and standard deviations were calculated and compared. It was hypothesized that third grade students that participated in the book club would increase their reading attitude scores more than third grade students who did not. While the book club program proved effective, it is recommended that it augment rather than replace regular reading instruction. Basic reading skills and strategies are necessary for successful participation.

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