Moving Beyond Readability: Considering Choice, Motivation and Learner Engagement

As reading professionals and former middle school teachers, we believe it is essential for teachers to select books thoughtfully, understand the relationship between book selection and student motivation and engagement, and realize the importance of classroom instruction during the reading of literature. Teachers strive to help middle school students be strategic, independent readers. They want their students to successfully read and comprehend a text, think critically about its content, and discuss their thoughts with others. Unfortunately, the current educational climate makes these lofty goals. Often, more assignments are equated to accountability and rigor. We make the argument that in order for students to want to read and comprehend a text, think critically, and be willing to discuss their thoughts, teachers must consider the texts selected, the attributes of motivation, and the kinds of instructional opportunities afforded to students.