Final Project and Presentation

Okay, so I thought I would post a summary of what I am planning for my presentation and discussion with hopes that I can get some helpful feedback. Here it goes:

Presentation:

I am going to present the issue of a connection between motivation and reading: what motivation is, what motivates students in today's world, what teachers can do pedagogically to enhance motivation and reading, and how YA lit can also play an important role. Ultimately we will look at the teacher's role in motivating students.

What I would like to see from any/all of you: Anything you can find that deals with motivation in the classroom, whether written or personal. I want to come up with some kind of answer by the end as to how motivation is important in engaging student interest, especially through (but not limited to) YA literature.


Final Project:

My final project somewhat stems off of my presentation, but the idea of motivation is just one component. With this in mind, I am focusing on actual young adults, their opinions and thoughts about reading, what they read, why they read, how they define and identify with YA lit and other types of literature. With this in mind, I want to be able to conclude with a concept that teachers can follow so that they better identify with their students and their students' needs. This revolves around the fact that many kids say they "don't read," yet many times we find them with their heads stuck in magazines, on the internet, in newspapers, doing what they originally said they don't do: READING! I want to focus on ways that we as teachers can use this misconception of reading to inhibit reading in the classroom. I am not totally developed with this, so any ideas of focus would be greatly appreciated.


So far, this is what's on my mind... Any tips, info, or comments?