Date Approved

Summer 1994

Graduate Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Education (M.Ed.)

Degree Program

College of Education

First Advisor

Caryn M. King

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine whether children's voluntary/recreational reading and their attitudes toward reading would affect their overall, reading achievement. Third, fifth and seventh grade students were the subjects for this study. Student surveys, parent questionnaires, teacher observations and standardized test scores were used to assess students' attitudes, time spent on recreational reading and overall achievement. Students were placed in an "above average", "average", or "below average" achievement group according to overall achievement. Significant differences were found among the three achievement groups. The "above average" and "average" achievers, from all three grade levels, showed greater amounts of time spent on recreational reading, more positive attitudes toward literary activities and a more sophisticated choice of literature genre. There was not a significant difference among the achievement levels or grade levels in the literary environments at home. The vast majority came from homes which provided literacy rich environments where children were read to and encouraged to read on their own as well.

Comments

Questions or concerns regarding the copyright status of this item may be directed to scholarworks@gvsu.edu

Download

Included in

Education Commons

Share

COinS