Intermediate students' attitudes towards recreational reading and choice of free-time activities

Abstract

The purpose ofthis study was to examine the relationship between students' attitudes to recreational reading and the free-time choices they make as they progress through the intermediate grades. A convenience sample of students in grades four through grade seven responded to questions on the Elementary Reading Attitude Survey regarding their attitudes towards recreational reading. In addition, students prioritized their choices for free-time activities on a scale of 1-5. Results from these two measures provided information on both variables, which showed significant differences between grade levels. According to results in this study a moderate to moderately high relationship exists between attitudes toward recreational reading and reading as a free-time activity. It appears that students in the intermediate grades do not tend to read for recreation; this pattern shows them increasingly unlikely to choose reading as they go from grade four to seven. This study raises concern over growing aliteracy in our schools, with particular concern for boys and their negative attitude towards reading for recreation. Both parents and teachers were surveyed on different measures. Parents spoke strongly in favour ofthe importance of recreational reading, yet half of the parents reported that their children did not read for recreation. Teachers are implementing many of the recommended strategies to promote recreational reading in their classrooms. Recommendations include the importance of parental modelling of recreational reading, as well as home and school providing materials of interest for students to read in their free-time. Abstract