To motivate pupils to read : A study of your teachers in the early grades

The aim of the study is to investigate how four teachers work to motivate pupils to read. The study also investigates the similarities and differences between grades 1 and 3 in the teachers’ efforts to motivate pupils to read. Reading is a central part of school work, not only in the subject of Swedish but also in other subjects. The result of previous PISA studies shows that Swedish pupils have deteriorated in reading comprehension. We therefore want to find out how teachers work to motivate pupils to read. The method in the study proceeds from semi-structured interviews. The interviews were recorded and transcribed. The result shows that different methods are used to motivate pupils to read. Reading aloud is a method that all teachers use in order to motivate the pupils. It was also found that the informants work with external motivation. This means, for example, rewarding pupils when they read or telling them what the purpose of reading is. More similarities than differences were found in the way teachers work with motivation in grades 1 and 3