The struggle to get students reading real books has gotten much more difficult over the years. With the onset of social media and back in the day, video games, kids can be turned off to reading. To add fuel to the fire, students' parents are not reading either, which, in turn, makes it much more difficult for us as educators.
However, while it is still a struggle everyday for me, there are ways to ensure that students will read and will do so without resistance.
What NOT to do:
Enforce daily reading logs: I wrote an entire blog post about this. Enforcing daily reading logs builds resentment and takes away from the joy of reading. While yes, we need to hold students accountable for their reading, the chore of doing a daily log does not help.
INSTEAD, you may want to consider a weekly book log and/or a reading record to keep track of their reading.
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Require students to read a set number of pages each night: Pigeon-holing students into a set number of pages, yet again, makes it feel like an assignment. We want to build a love for reading. The only time I expect set pages is when they read with book clubs, but in that scenario, they are deciding on what to read with their groups.
INSTEAD, just give them a ballpark number of pages to read a week. Or don't. If they are using their books in class, too, it will encourage them to read. Otherwise, they can't do the work.
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Do whole class novels: First of all, whole class novels are WAY better than just straight short stories or a basal reader. However, in the grand scheme of things, relying on whole class novels forces students to read books they may hate, building a hate for reading.
INSTEAD, use a whole class novel as a read aloud and encourage student choice reading in their independent work. You can read all about how I make this work in my blog post below.
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Give multiple-choice tests on their reading: There is a place for this RIGHT before testing, but that's it. It is not necessary to do this year-round. A lot of us do it for the "grade", but that's not practical Again...that's an assignment. Then they feel they have to study their book, not enjoy it. ELA is not really one of those subjects conducive to testing like other subjects, so why would we force it?
INSTEAD, there are so many other ways to assess reading; conferencing, benchmark assessments, book talks, book reviews, etc. Make a rubric if you need something for the gradebook. Rubrics are truly my lifeline and the only way I get grade. ELA is not like math; it's much more nuanced.
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Create tangible rewards for their reading: The cringiest of the cringe for me. Whoever reads the most books gets a pizza party! Yuck. What gets me crazier is when there are contest for the most reading. This makes it competitive and reading shouldn't be about that. It also makes it very disheartening for struggling readers. My blog post goes into this in-depth.
INSTEAD, making reading just...normal. Part of the everyday routine. Reading real books. I also do the 40 Book Challenge (NOT graded), which intrinsically motivates them. I've incorporated book bingo with "prizes" like you see below. (The book bingo isn't mine...I found on on TpT).
BOTTOM LINE:
Ultimately, we all know it's nearly impossible to get kids to read if there is no support at home, but there is hope. Avoiding the above will certainly at least help get your students on the right path. I also feel we need to accept that we won't get every child to love reading. Of course we try, but we should really also focus on those who want to learn.
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Engaging students in reading requires avoiding rigid practices like daily logs or mandatory page counts, which often kill the joy of reading. Instead, focus on flexible methods like weekly logs or student-chosen book clubs to foster a love for books. Let them explore stories that resonate with their interests. If you're balancing teaching with studies and need help with my online class, support is just a click away.
Thank you for this insightful article! Your practical tips offer a refreshing approach to nurturing a love for reading in students. As a CV specialist Christchurch , I see firsthand how these skills help students express themselves confidently
In the context of my studies, I also understand how crucial it is to foster a love for learning, whether it’s through reading or any other subject. Just as reading can be daunting for some students, balancing my academic workload can be challenging too. For those of us in healthcare programs, there’s always a lot to keep up with, and services like the nursing essay writing service for those studying medicine at https://essayservice.com/nursing-essay-writing-service can be a lifesaver in managing that pressure.
Overall, this article provided some great strategies for making reading a more enjoyable experience for students. It’s all about creating a supportive environment where kids feel encouraged to explore literature on their own terms.