24.2.26

Knowing your learners 

Knowing your learners as readers is the first step in understanding how to support them to be better readers. The “What kind of reader are you?” google form helped build this knowledge for me with my 2026 class. 

Summary

57% like reading at school  and 67% like reading at home

81% are currently reading a book for enjoyment

76% think reading helps them be smarter or more relaxed

70% like comics and graphic novels/  60& funny books, 60% like chapter books, 33% fantasy 

90% thought they were good at reading 

88% thought their teacher and whanau thinks they are good at reading

My survey results were actually better than I expected with regard to reading enjoyment and their perception of themselves as readers. Around 60% like reading at school and 70% like reading at home.  80% are reading something for enjoyment which is great. I can identify the learners who are not. My learners clearly love comics and graphic novels (70%) and funny books (60%).  Only 30% liked reading non fiction which was interesting. And pleasingly, 90% thought they were good at reading and 88% thought their teacher and whanau think they are good at reading. 

I do have a group of 7 learners working below in the class. A couple of these love reading and  always have a book in their hand but their comprehension is very low. In discussion (using ground rules for communication) with learners about these results, they were mostly interested in the types of books each other likes to read. Some very popular ones were Wimpy kid/Dogman/Harry potter/Treehouse/Geronimo Stilton. They were keen to set up an “I think you would like this book because “ book chain. Using a reading challenge board - see below - may help achieve another class goal of bringing some variety to their reading.

76%  of my learners think reading makes them smarter or more relaxed.