WITS believes that literacy is the foundation on which all other learning develops. One of the tenets of our mission is to empower Chicago elementary students to discover themselves through reading. When students develop specialized reading interests or a strong preference for a particular topic or type of book, they are more likely to stay engaged with books over time and be academically successful.
What are Specialized Reading Interests?
WITS defines specialized reading interests as topics, genres, or types of books that students are passionate about and choose to read independently. Research shows that interest is a powerful motivational tool that energizes learning and is essential to academic success. Students who develop specific reading interests are more engaged and intrinsically motivated. Dr. Allan Wigfield, professor in the Department of Human Development at the University of Maryland, states, “Students’ intrinsic motivation correlates positively with their reading achievement and predicts their reading achievement over time.” WITS mentors see this firsthand in programs.
“I was working with a student who was having a tough time finding interest in reading because it was difficult for them. We repeatedly switched books, trying to find one that both caught the student’s attention and one they could read. We came across a book about the weather, and they loved it! The book’s writing followed a pattern that the student recognized, and they could use the pictures as context clues when they needed extra help. Their reading confidence visibly grew with the weather book, which carried over into the next books we read together.” – Fran Borrayo, WITS Mentor
Finding topics that resonate with students struggling with reading is crucial. Fran’s experience illustrates how cultivating interest resulted in a more impactful learning experience for his student. The student’s interest in the book about weather improved his reading confidence and positively affected his engagement with other reading materials. This is one of the many stories that exemplify how WITS programs cultivate specialized reading interests in students and ensure they develop strong foundational literacy skills. WITS teacher Rogelia Pena from Rachel Carson Elementary in Gage Park states that allowing students to choose their books “…makes or breaks them as readers; having choice and feeling like they have agency is very important…When you ask them what they want, they feel appreciated and seen. They’re excited. They want to read.”
Cultivating Specialized Reading Interests
WITS believes in student choice and empowerment. WITS mentors are trained to encourage students to select their books and read them as often as they wish. Allowing students this agency enables them to explore their interests on their own terms instead of being told what they should like. WITS thoughtfully creates program environments that center around student choice, and we see results.
75% of WITS kindergarten teachers reported that their students developed specialized reading interests throughout the year, an increase of more than 30% from the beginning of the year.
Why WITS Measures Specialized Reading Interests
“It is my job to create programming that delivers on the WITS mission to empower Chicago elementary students as they discover themselves through reading while also developing foundational literacy skills. Measuring a student’s ability to develop specialized reading interests helps us gauge the impact our programs have on student growth, particularly in the younger grades.” – Sarah Hoppe Knight, Chief Program & Strategy Officer
The research is clear: specialized reading interests correlate with student success. For over thirty years, WITS has developed programs to empower Chicago elementary students to discover themselves through reading. We have intentionally created environments that center student choice, and our outcomes prove that our programming works. Please help us continue this effective and impactful work.
