8:1 Aliterate student

When and Where did I Find it: I came across this word when reading When Kids Can't Read: What Teachers Can Do by Kylene Beers (2003) for my LTED 612 course. Beers (2003) discusses these students in the context of teaching students the tools they need to be independent and confident readers.

What it means: According to Beers (2003), aliterate students are "students who can read, but choose not to read" (p. 11).

Level of familiarity: I have never heard this word before. I continue to develop my understanding and definition of being literate, but I did not know how "aliterate students" connected to this notion.  

Do I want to know this word well and why: I would like to explore this word further. As Beers (2003) discusses, the number of "aliterate students" in the classroom is on the rise. There are numerous factors that may effect if a student chooses not to read a text - interest, difficulty level, topic, length, etc. It is important for me to be able to anticipate these students. By planning purposefully and creating engaging learning experiences, I will provide meaningful instruction that are interesting and manageable.  


Do I think others should know this word well...if so, who and why: I think all teachers should know and understand this word. Teachers will undoubtably have these students in the classroom, so knowing the characteristics of these students, how they present their reading behaviors (or lack there of), and what strategies can be employed to help get students back on track. Teachers should be encouraged to continue to explore what this word means and how to problem solve when it arises. 

Beers, K. (2003). When kids can't read: What teachers can do. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.