Let’s explore ways we can create a culture of reading in our intermediate and middle school classrooms that naturally motivates students to read.
Getting intermediate and middle school students hooked on reading can be challenging, so many teachers turn to rewards.
While using rewards may be effective in the short term, incentivizing reading can have long-term negative consequences. They can diminish reading’s inherent value, undermine intrinsic motivation, encourage superficial reading, and discourage independence.
Instead, we can create a culture of reading so students experience natural incentives that build internal motivation and develop a genuine love of reading. Students can then experience how reading is its own reward.
Create a classroom environment that will motivate students to read.
One thing I’ve learned after many years of teaching is that students WILL read given the right environment and support.
Students need a variety of books to choose from that meet their interests and needs, daily uninterrupted reading time, proper support and guidance, and a natural way to share what they are reading.
Let’s explore how to create this environment and get those kids reading in and out of class!
1. Design a Reading-Friendly Environment
Classroom Library: To help motivate students to read, build a diverse and appealing classroom library with a variety of genres, authors, and reading levels. Organize books in a way that makes them easily accessible and inviting. For more information, read 5 Easy Steps to an Organized Classroom Library.
Comfortable Reading Spaces: Create cozy reading nooks or areas in the classroom where students can sit comfortably with a book. This physical space can encourage students to pick up a book and read.
2. Incorporate Daily Reading Time
Silent Reading Time: Dedicate a specific time for independent reading. It is important to incorporate it daily if you want students to get hooked on a book and continue reading outside of class. For more information, read Sustained Silent Reading: How to Set Students Up for Success.
Book Choice: During silent reading time, allow students to choose what they read. Choice is a critical factor when trying to motivate students to read because it fosters a sense of ownership as they explore authors and genres.
3. Build a Community of Readers
Peer Recommendations: Create a system where students can recommend books to each other. This can be through a bulletin board, a shared document, or regular sharing sessions. Students can design a book spine and write a recommendation for peers with my printable Book Spine Reading Response Templates for grades 5-7.
Book Talks: Allow students to give brief, informal presentations or “book talks” about what they are reading. Some students find it more motivating to hear about books from peers rather than the teacher.
4. Encourage Book Discussions
Weekly Turn-and-Talks: One way to motivate students to read is to have them share with their peers on a regular basis. These discussions should be random and informal. Students can use their books to share about characters, main events, themes, or anything else they feel is important.
Book Clubs: Establish informal book clubs where students can choose books to read and discuss together. This promotes a sense of community and shared interest in reading. To help guide book club discussions, check out my digital Sticky Note Discussion Questions for Google Slides or my printable Sticky Note Discussion Cards, both for grades 5-8.
5. Integrate Technology
Digital Reading Platforms: Use e-books, audiobooks, and reading apps to supplement traditional reading. These can be especially appealing to reluctant readers. For students who struggle with reading, check out BookShare, a free online platform with digital and audio versions of books.
Book Blogs or Vlogs: Encourage students to create blogs or vlogs where they review books, share their thoughts, and connect with classmates about their reading. This type of interaction can be motivating for students who are too shy to communicate face-to-face. Check out Bookopolis for a free and safe online environment for grades 1-12.
6. Recognize and Celebrate Growth
Positive Reinforcement: Provide positive feedback and encouragement to students who progress in their reading habits or explore new authors and genres. Students can set their own goals and monitor their reading with my customizable 40 Book Challenge Log, Graph, and Certificates for grades 5-7.
Reading Milestones: Continue to motivate students to read by celebrating achievements with certificates, reading-related events, and other forms of recognition. Focus on growth and meeting students’ individual goals.
7. Model Enthusiasm for Reading
Read Aloud to Students: Choose books they have access to in your classroom library and highlight specific authors or books in a series that are popular with the students at your grade level. Your enthusiasm for reading will be contagious!
Share Your Reading Life: Talk about what you are currently reading. Tell students why you chose specific books and how you feel about them. Show students that reading is a lifelong habit.
By implementing these strategies, we can create a culture of reading in our classrooms that will motivate students to read without relying on rewards.
External rewards can overshadow the inherent value of reading. However, building intrinsic motivation will help students develop a lifelong love for reading and set them on the path to becoming independent readers.
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