Aliteracy to Literacy: an Applied Research Study
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ALITERACY TO LITERACY: AN APPLIED RESEARCH STUDY TO SOLVE ELEMENTARY READERS’ ALITERACY PROBLEMS by Brian Kirk Buis Liberty University A Dissertation Presented in Partial Fulfillment Of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Education Liberty University 2020 2 ALITERACY TO LITERACY: AN APPLIED RESEARCH STUDY TO SOLVE ELEMENTARY READERS’ ALITERACY PROBLEM by Brian Kirk Buis A Dissertation Presented in Partial Fulfillment Of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Education Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA 2020 APPROVED BY: Constance L. Pearson, EdD, Committee Chair Tracey B. Pritchard, EdD, Committee Member 3 ABSTRACT The purpose of this applied research study was to solve the problem of aliteracy for upper elementary readers at an after-school program, Smith Academy (a pseudonym), and to design a reading program to address the problem. Offering high-interest books to children who are reading below grade level could stimulate their enjoyment of reading and increase the amount of reading that they do. The more a person practices any skill, the better he or she becomes at it. The benefits of reading are well-documented, yet many children become either non-readers or reluctant readers by the end of elementary school. By addressing the areas of choice, time, access to books, self-efficacy, and reading motivation, educators can improve their students’ reading attitudes and increase their reading volume. This applied research study involved elementary grade readers from approximately six different elementary schools in discovering their reading attitudes and improving their reading attitudes. Interviews with the students, as well as a focus group with their teachers, and a survey taken by the students indicated the children’s’ attitudes toward reading. Overall, the results demonstrated that there are multiple ways to improve elementary readers’ attitudes toward reading, which may help solve the problem of aliteracy. Keywords: aliteracy, reading motivation, early literacy motivation, upper elementary reading 4 Dedication This paper is dedicated to my father, whose support and encouragement have helped motivate me throughout the course of this study. 5 Acknowledgements First, I would like to thank all of the researchers who have paved the way for this study, particularly Richard Allington, Adriana G. Bus, Edward L. Deci, Jacquelynne S. Eccles, Douglas Fisher, Lynn Fielding, Jo Fletcher, Nancy Frey, Kelly Gallagher, Linda Gambrell, John T. Guthrie, Elfrieda H. Hiebert, Nancy Kerr, Alfie Kohn, Stephen Krashen, Jo-Anne LeFevre, James Lindsey, Jacqueline Manuel, Sarah McGeown, Margaret Kristin Merga, Suzanne E. Mol, Barbara Moss, Yonghan Park, David Pearson, John G. Ramsay, D. Ray Reutzel, Paul Rosier, Richard M. Ryan, S. Jay Samuels, Sherry Sanden, Monique Senechal, Michael W. Smith, Jim Trelease, Sean A. Walmsley, Allan Wigfield, Jeffrey D. Wilhelm, Maryanne Wolf, Yi-chen Wu, and Terrell A. Young. Second, I thank my chairwoman, Dr. Constance Pearson, and committee member, Dr. Stacey Pritchard, who have provided invaluable encouragement and advice, as well as all of my professors. Also, I thank the director of the Smith Academy, June Flowers, for allowing me to conduct the study using her students, as well as all of the teachers and students at Smith Academy. Third, I thank my colleagues and students over the course of my 30 years of teaching. You have all taught me a great deal. Last, I thank my wife for her encouragement and assistance. 6 Table of Contents ABSTRACT .....................................................................................................................................3 Dedication ........................................................................................................................................4 Acknowledgements ..........................................................................................................................5 List of Tables .................................................................................................................................10 List of Figures ................................................................................................................................11 List of Abbreviations .....................................................................................................................12 CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................13 Overview ............................................................................................................................13 Background ........................................................................................................................14 Social Context ........................................................................................................16 Theoretical Context ................................................................................................18 Problem Statement .............................................................................................................19 Purpose Statement ..............................................................................................................20 Significance of the Study ...................................................................................................20 Research Questions ............................................................................................................21 Definitions..........................................................................................................................22 Summary ............................................................................................................................23 CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW ................................................................................24 Overview ............................................................................................................................24 Theoretical Framework ......................................................................................................25 Self-Determination Theory ....................................................................................25 Expectancy-Value Theory .....................................................................................26 7 Related Literature...............................................................................................................27 Early Childhood Reading Experiences ..................................................................27 Developing Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation for Struggling Readers ................33 Self-Efficacy ..........................................................................................................36 Volume ...................................................................................................................38 Access ....................................................................................................................40 Time .......................................................................................................................43 Choice of Texts ......................................................................................................45 Independent Reading .............................................................................................48 Pleasurable Reading Experiences ..........................................................................51 Summary ............................................................................................................................53 CHAPTER THREE: METHODS .................................................................................................55 Overview ............................................................................................................................55 Design ................................................................................................................................55 Research Questions ............................................................................................................57 Setting ................................................................................................................................58 Participants .........................................................................................................................58 The Researcher’s Role .......................................................................................................59 Procedures ..........................................................................................................................60 Data Collection and Analysis.............................................................................................61 Interviews ...............................................................................................................61 Survey ....................................................................................................................66 Focus Group ...........................................................................................................72 8 Ethical Considerations .......................................................................................................74 Summary ............................................................................................................................75 CHAPTER FOUR: FINDINGS .....................................................................................................77