Gamifying Reading
Gamify
{Ga`-muh-fie}
Verb: To make something fun and enjoyable.
Gamify Reading: To develop a state of mind that makes reading a game-like experience.
The results reported by The National Assessment of Educational Progress(NAEP))-the nations report card- are frightening. The 2022 NAEP assessment showed that the reading performance for all three grade levels that were assessed( grades 4, 8, &12) dropped. Reading scores for all grade levels were in a free fall. Fourth grade reading scores, for example, fell in all regions across the country. The data showed that only thirty-three percent of fourth-grade students performed at or above the proficient reading level.
The current state of reading instruction is the product of a decades-long struggle between phonics advocates and whole language proponents. Neither approach has manufactured the results that our children deserve, our parents expect, our country needs. Driven by the publish or parish dictum, university based reading elites have created OZ-like faux reading authority that drives instruction. Teachers, regrettably, have been whipsawed to the point of numbness because of the ongoing reading du jour mindset that has governed and directed reading instruction..
A provisional reason, in my view, for the horrid NAEP results is that kids don’t read enough. The amount, or volume, of reading a child does each day makes, in my experience, an enormous difference in overall academic performance. My work with hundreds of students who perform well in school shows that they read more than those who don’t read very much. Reliable research supports this observation.
None of the present reading issues afflicting our kids are beyond our ability to solve. The necessary solutions may not be easy, but they are truly simple. One such solution that will help improve reading performance is to increase the volume of reading at home coupled with parents serving as reading coaches.
However, reading at home can be a misguided experience when well meaning parents use industrial age methods to get their kids to read more. Asking, or more accurately demanding, a child to read for 20 minutes often backfires leading to fake reading or a child reading blindly to finish that leads to ingraining reading miscues.
In a perfect world, reading would have the same allure as playing video games. To make reading at home fun and challenging parents need to gamify the experience and hook their readers as video game designers hook their gamers.
The secret sauce used by video game designers is to reduce the key elements of the games to mainly to three simple things: (1) offer immediate feedback; (2) small incremental steps to success, and (3) by challenging the player without being judgmental.
Video games are fast paced, compelling, and not governed by time. Cheat codes are available if the going gets rough, and players compete with themselves to become better in order to move to the next level.
Parents can and should become the architects of a challenging but doable reading at home process. It’s easier than it seems.
To play a pivotal role, parents can provide cheat codes as necessary by offering tips but not answers. They can offer non-judgmental feedback, and keep the pace fast by limiting the time at first until progress is made.
To gamify the reading, start with attainable goals by saying something like, ”your goal is to read error free for only 2 minutes” explaining that means reading with fluency and accuracy. Don’t add any other skill requirement at this time. Be patient and build additional levels and challenges based on the child’s needs as you move forward. Don’t worry about the Holy Grail of reading for 20 minutes imposed on kids. This is an entirely arbitrary requirement that lacks any research to support its efficacy. It would be better to suggest smaller increments of time at the beginning and adding time as the child demonstrates success.
To keep motivation and learning high, create a point system, post performance records on the fridge, recognize and discuss the strategy or skills the reader used to meet the challenge, and invite the reader to help by setting new goals for her/himself. Keeping records is important to maintain motivation and engagement. Progressively add new goals and challenges. For example, consult with the child’s teacher to identify specific skills that need work and include these in the activity. Gradually step back allowing the reader to set and meet goals. Use materials from the classroom assignments to keep the learner in sync with the class requirements. When kids complete their homework and show well in class discussions about the assignments motivation grows.
It’s a new year offering a new beginning to help our kids. I’m available to help to craft personalized coaching plans – just email me. mario1206@att.net