Power lunch : optimizing extra-curricular reading groups at Oakside High

Sarah M. Figueroa, California State University, Monterey Bay

Capstone Project (B.A.) Liberal Studies Department

Abstract

There is a major problem when ninth- and tenth-graders are reading at a fifth grade level. It is more than just an indicator of students’ unwillingness to participate in school – it is a reflection of student disengagement; disengagement being more that just typical teenage rebellion. Teenagers become disengaged for a multitude of reason, but a key feature of engagement is close, trusting, caring relationships with teachers. Within the context of an extra-curricular reading group which met twice a week during student’s lunchtime, culturally relevant literature was used to create teacher-student relationships and boost overall engagement with scholastic material.