Reading magazines can improve pupils' critical thinking skills and serve as a motivator. When a pupil learns to read critically, he has figured out how to draw inferences and evaluate what he has read. Using media, including magazines, radio and television, helps motivate pupils to improve their reading skills and critical listening capabilities. Reading a story in a magazine about a certain topic and then hearing about that same topic on television allows the pupil to compare and contrast the different accounts. Pupils learn to question and to argue constructively.
Magazines can be more fun to read than books because most feature colorful pictures and illustrations. Getting a new issue of a magazine is appealing, particularly if the child knows it features articles that he will enjoy reading and from which he will also learn. Magazines specifically for children include "Highlights," "Scholastic," "American Girl," "Boys' Life" and "Boys' Quest," "Creative Kids," "Click" and "Chickadee."
Magazines can prompt debate in the classroom, increase awareness of current events and promote communication. Ideally, each pupil get a magazine and everyone reads at once. The pupils can then choose articles to talk about; this helps them to learn to form and then express opinions. Of course, the teacher can select the topic or article as well.
Pupils who have difficulty reading tend to gravitate toward magazines because they're not as intimidating as textbooks. Magazines don't strike pupils as frightening as a textbook can. Consequently, children do not feel the pressure that they do when they are told to read a textbook, which results in comfort, confidence and relaxation, which helps the child improve his reading skills. Additionally, magazines contain short articles that are ideal for those who find it difficult to read.
Magazines contain a variety of articles, which appeals to pupils. It gives the child a choice of what to read and encourages reading for enjoyment. Magazine reading can lead to a lifelong love of reading.
Use magazines to enhance your social studies or science curriculum. The children can find current information on topics, which can be added to what they have learned in class. Reading magazine articles will add to their knowledge.