Motivation for Literacy
What the experts say about motivation for literacy:
An engaged reader comprehends a text not only because she can do it, but because she is motivated to do it. ~ John T. Guthrie
The students who thrive are not necessarily the ones who come in with the perfect scores. It's the ones who love what they're doing and go at it vigorously. ~ Carol Dweck
When teachers encourage intrinsic motivation in students by making the reading activities in class relevant, students initiate and persist with the reading tasks. ~ Angela McRae & John T. Guthrie
Read more about motivation for literacy!
OVERVIEW of motivation for literacy
Activities that promote enjoyment of books and appreciation for the usefulness of reading and writing motivate students. Classroom learning communities that engage students in creative, relevant and meaningful literacy activities support the development of motivation for literacy. Student engagement in learning is a predictor of academic success and promotes inquiry and knowledge building.
PROMOTING motivation for literacy
Establishing motivation for literacy is particularly important in the early grades when it may not be obvious to young children why they should care about learning to read and write. However, teachers should strive to make literacy activities motivating at all grades. Once students have a foundation of skills, integrating literacy activities into subject areas can be used to generate interest. Interested students learn more!
ASSESSING motivation for literacy
Observe students regularly to determine their levels of motivation for literacy. Do they actively select books? Are they eager to write? Keep in mind that success is a powerful motivator. If students are not eager to read and write, ask yourself why. Is the task too difficult or too easy? Is the topic of interest to them? Focus assessment on finding ways to increase student success, interest and engagement.
Featured Videos
The Eggspert Learning Toy:
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Pac Mangles:
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Dealing with First Day Jitters:
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All Motivation for Literacy Recipes
Create a New Song!: Building Phonemic Awareness through Play
Investigating Cereal: Integrating Literacy and Science Instruction
Pick a Part!: Improving Reading Fluency
Safety Tips: Creating Authentic Opportunities for Informative Writing
Making Teddy Bears: Motivating Descriptive Writing
Party Invitations: Motivating Students to Write Informatively
Real-Life Examples, Fact, and Fiction: Building Knowledge at the Beginning of a Content Area Unit
Alphabet In My Mouth!: Reviewing Alphabet Letter-Sounds with a Fun Song
Television Stars!: Developing Oral Language Skills
Reader's Notebook: Motivating Students to Read, Write, and Reflect
The Lost Suitcase: Creating a Purpose for Descriptive Writing
Photo Essays: Using Pictures to Guide Written Compositions
Picky Puppet: Promoting Phonemic Awareness
Classroom Post Office: Letter Writing for Motivation and Communication
Bag of Mysteries: Using Descriptive Language
Word Trains: Developing Concepts of Print
Re-Enacting Storybooks: Developing Oral Language and Concepts of Print
All About Me Autobiography: Writing from Personal Experience
Tableau Summaries: Using Action Strategies to Deepen Comprehension
Class Photo Library: Motivating Descriptive Writing
Crazy Comics: Developing Voice by Writing Dialogue
Amazing Authors: Developing a Writing Style (Virtual Tour)
Author of the Month: Using an Author Study to Practice Data Management (Virtual Tour)
Reading Corner: Creating a Space for Students to Explore Texts
Writing Wizards Portfolio Wall: Tracking Progress Throughout the Year (Virtual Tour)
The Portable Desk: Engaging in Learning Using a Clipboard (Virtual Tour)
Dealing with First Day Jitters: Promoting Motivation for Literacy (Virtual Tour)
Literature Circles: Fostering Critical Thinking and Oral Communication (Virtual Tour)
Parts of Speech: Developing Spelling Skills (Virtual Tour)
Student Made Books: Promoting the Enjoyment of Writing (Virtual Tour)
Teeny Tiny Books: Writing Narratives (Virtual Tour)
Everywhere Man: Integrating Music and Literacy through Song Writing (Virtual Tour)
Teaching Tip: Creating Individual Blackboards (Virtual Tour)
Celebrating One Hundred Books: Promoting the Enjoyment of Reading in Second Grade (Virtual Tour)
Sock Creatures: Promoting Writing through Sewing (Virtual Tour)
Earthworms, Snails and Hermit Crabs: Integrating Science and Literacy with a Terrarium (Virtual Tour)
Flower Power: Integrating Math, Art and Literacy (Virtual Tour)
Fraction Friends: Developing Informative Writing (Virtual Tour)
Pac Mangles: Integrating Mathematics and Literacy (Virtual Tour)
Wheel of Fortune: A Word Wall Activity
Fun with Predictable Stories: Developing Concepts of Print
Home Journals: An Authentic Writing Activity that Involves Parents
Bubble Gum Letters: A Persuasive Writing Activity
Inspiring Charms: Scaffolding Oral Expression and Narrative Writing
How To Fold a Tetrahedron: Motivation for Procedural Writing
A is for Alphabet Book: Using Alphabet Books to Promote Early Literacy Skills
Practicing Poetry: Developing Fluency at the Poetry Center (Virtual Tour)
Growing Flowers: Keeping Track of Books Read (Virtual Tour)
Celebrating One Hundred Books: Promoting the Enjoyment of Reading in Fourth Grade (Virtual Tour)
Classroom Mailbox: Motivating Students to Write Letters to Friends (Virtual Tour)
Exciting Picture Messages: Engaging Students in the Writing Process (Virtual Tour)
Home-School Connection: Practicing Letter Sounds and Sight Words (Virtual Tour)
Lets Play Bingo: Practicing Letter Sounds (Virtual Tour)
Writing Center: Using Whiteboards to Practice Spelling Words (Virtual Tour)
Learn to Read with Starfall: Using the SMART Board to Develop Letter Sounds (Virtual Tour)
Starfall: Developing Letter Sounds with an Engaging Website (Virtual Tour)
Website Word Families: Engaging Students with Starfall (Virtual Tour)
Story Re-enactment: Promoting Comprehension with an Oral Retell (Virtual Tour)
Felt Board Retell: Promoting Comprehension with an Oral Retell (Virtual Tour)
Monthly Storyboard: Promoting the Enjoyment of Writing (Virtual Tour)
Question of the Day: Promoting Oral Language and Motivation for Literacy (Virtual Tour)
Name Game: Developing Phonemic Awareness in Kindergarten (Virtual Tour)
Reading in Kindergarten: Promoting the Enjoyment of Reading (Virtual Tour)
SMART Board Book Interaction: Promoting the Enjoyment of Reading With Technology (Virtual Tour)
SMART Board Riddles: Promoting Motivation for Literacy with Technology (Virtual Tour)
Making Apple Sauce: Learning Procedure Writing in Kindergarten (Virtual Tour)
Personal Browsing Bins: Building Interest in Reading in Kindergarten (Virtual Tour)
StarFall Center: Learning and Applying Letter-Sounds in Kindergarten (Virtual Tour)
Interactive to Independent Writing: Learning and Applying Concepts of Print (Virtual Tour)
Taking a Math Shapes Walk: Interactive Writing about Schoolyard Observations (Virtual Tour)
Small Group Shared Reading: Building Motivation for Literacy and Concepts of Print in Kindergarten (Virtual Tour)
Supported Dramatic Play: Building Vocabulary and Oral Language in Kindergarten (Virtual Tour)
Interactive Writing in Kindergarten: Sharing the Pen to Promote Engagement (Virtual Tour)
Learning Luggage: Taking Engaging Literacy Activities Home for Practice with Parents (Virtual Tour)
Seasons of Our Learning: Remembering What Has Been Done Over the Year (Virtual Tour)
Walk and Stop: Finding Letters and Common Words Around the Classroom (Virtual Tour)
Meaningful Word Walls: Using Childrens Names and Familiar Sound-Prompt Pictures (Virtual Tour)
How to Make a Fire Truck!: Launching Procedural Writing by Integrating Social Studies and Literacy (Virtual Tour)
Daily Read Alouds: Using Non-Fiction and Math Books in the Literacy Program (Virtual Tour)
Making it Real!: Using Sentence Strips with Pictures to Retell a Lived Experience (Virtual Tour)
Wonder Box: Inspiring Creative Writing through Unusual Picture Cues
Letter of the Week: Engaging Activities to Practice Letter Names and Sounds (Virtual Tour)
Starfall at the Computer Center: Mox's Shop Teaches the "Short o" Sound (Virtual Tour)
Writer's Workshop: Modeling and Guiding the Writing Process in Kindergarten (Virtual Tour)
Listening Center: Supporting Understanding with Props (Virtual Tour)
Drive-Thru Blending in PreK/K: Building Phonemic Awareness and Letter-Sounds (Virtual Tour)
Dial-a-Story!: Using Classroom Telephones to Support Reading Aloud (Virtual Tour)
Reading Buddy Props: Motivating Reading with a Partner to Practice Early Literacy Skills (Virtual Tour)
Writers' Wall: Displaying Children's Work to Motivate and Assess Writing (Virtual Tour)
Alphabet Artwork: Prompting Letter-Sound Associations using Meaningful Materials (Virtual Tour)
Morning Message: Building Motivation for Literacy and Early Reading Skills (Virtual Tour)
City ABC Book: Building Motivation for Literacy by Exploring the Environment (Virtual Tour)
Shared Reading of Big Books: Supporting Language Development and Vocabulary (Virtual Tour)
Leveled Reading Bins: Matching Books to Readers Through Classroom Organization (Virtual Tour)
Daily Reading Conferences: Monitoring and Guiding Growth in Early Reading (Virtual Tour)
Learning Center Board: Organizing the Classroom to Support Learning (Virtual Tour)
Word Stretchercisers: Props to Support Stretching and Blending Sounds in Words (Virtual Tour)
Over the Rainbow!: Integrating Vocabulary Development and Artwork based on the Colors of the Rainbow (Virtual Tour)
Printing with Pizzazz!: Motivating Ways to Develop Letter and Number Recognition and Formation (Virtual Tour)
Not Just Playing in the Sand!: Practicing Letter Formation (Virtual Tour)
Pointing Fingers!: Using Props to Focus on Individual Words and Inter-Word Spaces (Virtual Tour)
Kindergarten Writing Conference: Promoting Self Expression using Writers' Workshop Strategies (Virtual Tour)
Making a Name for Yourself!: Learning about Letters with Name Wands (Virtual Tour)
Dramatic Weather!: Motivating Oral Language, Vocabulary and Early Reading and Writing Through Dramatic Play (Virtual Tour)
Easy as ABC!: Learning About Letters through Play (Virtual Tour)
Pop Corn Word Hunt: Practicing High Frequency Words (Virtual Tour)
Alphabet Soup: Making Words with the -at Family (Virtual Tour)
Fancy Color Names: Practicing High Frequency Words with Arts and Crafts (Virtual Tour)
Story Station: Building Language and Comprehension through Story Retell (Virtual Tour)
Storyline Online: Celebrity Read-Aloud Builds Motivation for Literacy (Virtual Tour)
Starfall: Engaging Website for Learning Letter-Sounds (Virtual Tour)
Chant, Chant, Chants: Building Sight Vocabulary and Motivation for Literacy (Virtual Tour)
Blowing in the Wind: Chants to Build Concepts of Print and Sight Words (Virtual Tour)
Reading and Writing Around the Room: Building Motivation for Literacy (Virtual Tour)
Favorite Read Alouds: Building Motivation for Literacy, Oral Language and Vocabulary (Virtual Tour)
Practicing Being a Good Reader: Using Success Criteria in Kindergarten (Virtual Tour)
News of the Day: Using the Morning Message to Build Skills and Confidence (Virtual Tour)
Book Creator App: Making Own Books on Laptops and Tablets (Virtual Tour)
Retro Phone and Speech-to-Text: App for Brainstorming on the iPad (Virtual Tour)
Popplet App: Brainstorming Graphic Organizers for Laptops and Tablets (Virtual Tour)
Reading Chart to Track Progress: Promoting Growth Through On-going Assessment (Virtual Tour)
Play it Again!: Motivating Games for Word Analysis and Spelling (Virtual Tour)
Don't Lose that Thought!: Notebooks to Jot Down Ideas for Writing (Virtual Tour)
Personal Journal Writing: Building Interest and Confidence in Writing (Virtual Tour)
Cuddle Up with a Good Book: Using a Reading Nook to Motivate Reading (Virtual Tour)
Easy Reads: Books that Build Confidence and Motivation (Virtual Tour)
Favorite Books: Building Motivation for Literacy, Vocabulary and Oral Language (Virtual Tour)
Executive Functions Superheroes: Building Strategies for Success (Virtual Tour)
Act it Out!: True Story of the Three Little Pigs Builds Understanding of Point of View (Virtual Tour)
Interactive Whiteboard: A Forum for Student Learning (Virtual Tour)
Student Response System: An Interactive Tool for Assessment (Virtual Tour)
A Classroom Economy: Learning About Economics and Advertising (Virtual Tour)
Inspirational Stories: Using Barack Obama's Of Thee I Sing to Motivate Students to Read and Write (Virtual Tour)
Instilling Integrity: Raising Awareness About Character (Virtual Tour)
Storyline Online: Building Motivation for Literacy with Celebrity Read Alouds (Virtual Tour)
Starfall: Developing Letter Sounds with an Engaging Website (Virtual Tour)
Shared Reading: Supporting Reading Comprehension and Vocabulary using Big Books in the Classroom (Virtual Tour)
Stories and More!: Motivation for Reading at the Listening Center (Virtual Tour)
Can You Read Me?: Building Spelling and Vocabulary (Virtual Tour)
A Classroom Sound System: Using a Microphone and Speaker for Attention, Clarity and Student Motivation (Virtual Tour)
Dramatic Play: Promoting Oral Language at the Drama Center (Virtual Tour)
'Five Little Latkes': Fostering Motivation For Literacy with Holiday Connections (Virtual Tour)
Author, Illustrator, Characters and Setting: Reviewing Concepts of Print (Virtual Tour)
Compare and Contrast: Promoting Conceptual Thinking in First Grade (Virtual Tour)
The Ginger Bread Boy: Developing Fluency and Expression (Virtual Tour)
Echo Reading, Cloze Reading, and Vocabulary Discussion: Practicing Reading Strategies (Virtual Tour)
My Favorite Part: Retelling a Story (Virtual Tour)
Paragraph Rules: Practicing Paragraph Writing (Virtual Tour)
Say, Spell, Say: Practicing Spelling (Virtual Tour)
Five Senses Fun: Developing Beginning Descriptive Language
Learning Luggage: Promoting a Home-School Connection
Word Choice: Using Effective Verbs in Procedural Writing
Using the Sandbox for Pretend Play: Building Oral Language and More
I'm Thinking of Something: Developing Listening Skills
Theme-Based Pretend Play: Building Oral Language and More
Antonym Rap: Reviewing Words with Opposite Meanings
Ball Toss Questioning: Reviewing Vocabulary Words Through a Game
The Drama Center: Building Oral Language and More
Days of the Week: Building Oral Vocabulary through Song
Teddy Bear Song: Developing Receptive Language
Let's Get Started: Using Songs for Classroom Management
Bean Bag Walk: Developing Receptive Language
Feeling Angry Song: Building Listening, Language and Vocabulary
School Family Song: Building Listening, Language and Vocabulary
Five Little Monkeys Song: Building Listening, Language and Vocabulary
Class Alphabet Book: A Motivating Way to Learn Letter-Sounds
Tooty Ta Song!: Building Listening and Language with Action Songs
Days and Months: Building Oral Vocabulary through Song
Runaway Robots: Using a Board Game to Teach Reading and Spelling
Teacher-Made Reading and Spelling Game: Constructing an Engaging Teaching Game
Park that Word!: Blending Words with Vowel Digraphs in a Game
Park Those Sounds!: Segmenting CVC Words into Phonemes in a Game
Word Twister: Sounding out One-Syllable Words in a Twister Game
Robot Talk: Segmenting Words into Individual Sounds in a Game
Non-Fiction Fun: Identifying the Features of Non-Fiction Books
Chicka, Chicka, Boom, Boom: Shared Reading in Kindergarten
Learning Letter Sounds with Starfall: Using the SMART Board to Teach Phonics
Story Bits: Retelling Stories to Build Strategies in Real Reading and Real Writing
Powerful Predictions: A Pre-Reading Strategy to Support Comprehension
Go Chart Booklets: Understanding Story Elements in Second Grade
Retelling Glove: The Five Elements of a Good Story Retell
Swamp Surprise: Promoting the Enjoyment of Reading
Wheel of Fortune: Reviewing Vocabulary Words
Magic E Words: Decoding CVC Words and Converting them into CVC-E Words in a Game
Trash or Treasure?: Sounding out CVC Nonsense Words and Real Words in a Game
Technology in the Listening Center: Motivating Literacy with iPads and QR Code Books (Virtual Tour)
Art from The Heart: Integrating Literacy Instruction in Community-Building Art Projects (Virtual Tour)
Character-Building Books: Creating a Thoughtful Classroom Community with Read Alouds (Virtual Tour)
FACE of a Reader: Teaching Reading Strategies Based on The CAFE Menu (Virtual Tour)
Today's Learning Goals: Communicating Clear Expectations with Subject-Specific Targets (Virtual Tour)
Super Words: Expanding Vocabulary in Classroom Reading and Writing (Virtual Tour)
Creating a Classroom Library: Using the Hundreds Carpet to Organize Books (Virtual Tour)
Black History Month: Integrating Art, Mathematics and Literacy to Motivate Reading and Writing (Virtual Tour)
Literacy in Mathematics: Building Math Vocabulary and Word Problem Strategies (Virtual Tour)
What are We Doing in Class Today?: Motivating Beginning Readers with a Daily Schedule (Virtual Tour)
Student Book Talks: Building Literacy Motivation and Deeper Understanding through Discussion (Virtual Tour)
Document Camera for Shared Reading: Supporting the Development of Decoding and Fluency (Virtual Tour)
Sharing Storybooks: Building Knowledge and Literacy Motivation through Daily Read Alouds (Virtual Tour)
Good Fit Books in First Grade: Developing Skill and a Love for Reading through Appropriate Choices (Virtual Tour)
Borrowing Books in First Grade: Using the Home-School Connection to Develop Independent Readers (Virtual Tour)
Listening Center in First Grade: Using Audiobooks to Foster a Love for Reading (Virtual Tour)
Leveled Books in First Grade: Personalized Book Bins Increase Independence in Young Readers (Virtual Tour)
Developmental Reading Assessment (DRA): Motivating Young Readers by Tracking and Celebrating Progress (Virtual Tour)
Cross-Curricular Classroom Library: Making Different Genres Accessible to Interest and Inspire Readers (Virtual Tour)
Classroom Computers in First Grade: Using Technology to Motivate Reading and Writing (Virtual Tour)
Writing a Recount in First Grade: Empowering Students by Scaffolding a Well-Planned Writing Process (Virtual Tour)
First-Grade Classroom News: Strengthening the Home-School Connection with a Biweekly Newsletter (Virtual Tour)
Science Experiments in First Grade: Building Understanding through Inquiry and Discussion (Virtual Tour)
Class Jobs in First Grade: Motivating Reading while Fostering a Sense of Responsibility
(Virtual Tour)
The C in The CAFE: Building Reading Comprehension by Teaching Effective Strategies (Virtual Tour)
The A in The CAFE: Improving Reading Accuracy using Meaning and Decoding Strategies (Virtual Tour)
The F in The CAFE: Building Fluent Readers who Read with Ease, Accuracy and Expression (Virtual Tour)
The E in The CAFE: Expanding Vocabulary through Reading and Writing (Virtual Tour)
Real World Class Jobs: Sharing Responsibility in the Classroom (Virtual Tour)
Great Expectations!: Co-Constructing Classroom Rules to Build Community (Virtual Tour)
Bobbleheads in the Classroom: Building Community through Student Introductions (Virtual Tour)
Stay on Green!: A Point-Based Behavior Management System (Virtual Tour)
Global Partners Junior DETAILS: Implementing a Cross-Curricular Program (Virtual Tour)
Global Partners Junior OVERVIEW: Implementing an Integrated Literacy Approach (Virtual Tour)
Extra! Extra! Read All About It!: Building Community with a Classroom Newspaper (Virtual Tour)
Book Buddies that Work!: Implementing the Strategy WELL Benefits Everyone (Virtual Tour)
Lets Talk About Books: Motivating Students to Read a Variety of Texts (Virtual Tour)
This Classroom Library is 'Bookworm Heaven'!: Supporting Research and Reading Enjoyment (Virtual Tour)
Novel Study Using Teacher Read-Aloud: Building Literacy Skills in Engaging Integrated Unit (Virtual Tour)
An Engaging Read-Aloud makes Science Fun!: Linking Literacy and Science with Stanley's Party (Virtual Tour)
Research on Sustainability in Schools: Integrating Literacy, Social Studies, Science, Math (Virtual Tour)
Real-World Math: Co-constructing a Math Problem-Solving Wall (Virtual Tour)
Figurative Language and Poetic Devices: Teaching Poetry thru an Engaging Multi-Step Unit (Virtual Tour)
Elements and Principles of Design: Using Language to Create Visual Art (Virtual Tour)
Must-Have Teaching Resources: Math, Special Education, Community Building (Virtual Tour)
Read Alouds Across ALL Elementary Grades: Motivating Literacy in the Classroom (Virtual Tour)
Classroom Document Camera: Supporting Instruction and Increasing Engagement (Virtual Tour)
Numbered Jerseys and Popsicle Sticks: Managing the Classroom with Ease and Fairness (Virtual Tour)
Math Investigation Station: Integrating Math, Vocabulary and Media Literacy (Virtual Tour)
Phonics with Starfall: Using the SMART Board to Read Decodable Books
Counting Words: Developing Concepts of Print
Make a Word: Using Onsets and Rimes
Timed Repeated Reading: Building Fluency by Rereading Text
Colors of the Week: Developing Concepts of Print
Fill in the Missing Rhyme!: Foundations for Phonemic Awareness
Today's News: Building Concepts of Print
How to Use a Morning Message: Building Concepts of Print and Much More!
Make It Personal: Connecting Students to Texts (Virtual Tour)
All About Me: Building Class Community and a Sense of Identity (Virtual Tour)
Building Class Community: Ancient Egyptian Charm Bracelets (Virtual Tour)
Selecting the Right Book: Favorite 4th Grade Read-to-Self Books (Virtual Tour)
Let's Talk Community Corner: A Safe Place for Problem Solving (Virtual Tour)
Hands-On Math Center: Consolidating Student Learning (Virtual Tour)
Taking Responsibility!: Classroom Jobs Can Be Rewarding (Virtual Tour)
Learning Goals: Maximizing Student Progress (Virtual Tour)
The Poetry Nook: Gathering Ideas for Writing (Virtual Tour)
The Reading Corner: Exploring a Range of Literature (Virtual Tour)
Building Community with Parents: Math Is Fun (Virtual Tour)
Building Community with Parents: Reading Logs (Virtual Tour)
Building Community with Parents: Selfless Minutes (Virtual Tour)
The SPCA Calendar: Promoting Oral Language (Virtual Tour)
Cross-Curricular Connections: The Science of Bean Growing (Virtual Tour)
Social Studies' Culminating Activity: Hieroglyphic Art (Virtual Tour)
Create a New Song!: Building Phonemic Awareness through Play
