I write a lot about transforming students into writers, but what about transforming students into readers, and more specifically reluctant readers? How do you get your students to become strong, independent readers and actually enjoy it? I have done the same thing each year from the first year of teaching and it has never failed once. It’s giving students choice and immersing them in a classroom environment that screams reading is fun and has a wide variety of texts to choose from.
Choice is Power & Organization is Key
As the same with writing, choice is power. Allowing students to read what they want to read and choose their own books is the first step to getting kids to read. So each student in my class gets a plastic gallon size bag (nothing fancy) with their name on it, along with a Reading is Thinking bookmark and some Think Mark sticky notes because bookmarks and sticky notes make everything more fun! 😉 Each week my students “book shop” either on Monday after they complete their morning work, or Friday afternoon before dismissal, in our class library. Our class library is stocked with a wide variety of high-interest books, a wide range of genres, and a broad range of reading levels to meet the needs of all students. There is a book for everyone from all-time favorite fiction picture books to nonfiction books about any person, place, thing, or animal and to the most popular chapter book series. On the back of each book is a colored round sticker that matches the sticker on the book bin it belongs in (red circle= fiction, yellow circle= nonfiction, purple sticker=sports, green circle= chapter book series -Diary of a Wimpy Kid, etc.). Students were responsible for keeping our class library organized by putting the books back into the correct bin. Inside the front cover or on the back of each book had one of my library book labels with a Guided Reading Level (A-Z) and the Accelerated Reader level so students clearly knew if the book was just right for them based on their reading level.
While book shopping students would choose 4 just-right books: one fiction book, one nonfiction book, one chapter book, and one book of their choice. Having this variety allowed students to apply whatever reading skill or strategy we were focusing on that week. Let’s just say we were focusing on making connections in our whole group and small group reading, students would focus on and apply making connections while they were independently reading from one of the books in their reading “baggies.” This allowed me to do quick assessment checks at the end of each week by giving an exit ticket about making connections before they book shopped for the following week. Sometimes, they’d write a book review before returning the book back to our class library. Sometimes they’d keep the book for another week if they hadn’t finished it or may have to abandon a book if it wasn’t right for them. Having an organized classroom library system made it easy for students to select and return books that were just right and of interest. About 3 students were allowed to book shop at once so I assigned a library helper and a bookshelf keeper to assist with the return of books and to tidy up our library each day.
We also kept this in mind when choosing books and while independently reading:
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Nobody is too old for a picture book.
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Picture books teach the reader many things.
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We can read books more than once for each time we read, we read them from a different perspective and purpose, and we may pick up on something we didn’t pick up the first time.
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Think like a writer and ask yourself what the author did well in their writing that you could possibly try to do in your own writing.
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Apply the strategies and skills that we are learning in class while independently reading.
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Read for enjoyment—books are good for the heart and soul.
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Read to learn—books can take you to places you’ve never been or teach you about things you may have not experienced.
Now on the first day of school, I have all book baggies prepared for each one of my students and it lends to a meaningful conversation. Many of them will express which books they liked and which books they did not like in their reading baggie whether it was because they didn’t like the content or if it was way too easy or challenging for them. This helps me to get to know my students early on. I get to know a lot about my students and their interests within the first few days of school, like who has a fascination with the solar system, American history, or fairies. Plus I can also do a quick assessment check to get an idea of reading levels before I have the chance to formally assess each student. This conversation is bait for what I really want to talk about with my students, and that is choosing just-right books for themselves. I make a good point about how me choosing books for them may not be the right match for their interests and reading level. An ah-ha moment for sure!
The SECRET
And now for the secret to getting your students hooked on reading…keep each student’s book baggie at arm’s length at all times. Their reading baggies are placed in a basket in the middle of their table for easy access. It was part of our class routine to have reading as a choice if they finished their work or assessment early, wanted to read during choice time, have their books available for DEAR time and so on. Most of my students were so engaged in reading the books that they chose that it sometimes became difficult to pry them away from their books. A teacher’s dream come true!!! And the result was each and every one of my students were growing into strong, independent readers. They became more confident readers, more fluent readers and their comprehension continued to blossom as they continued to apply the strategies we were learning and practicing in class.
As my students became more independent, comfortable and started to learn the types of books they really enjoyed, I encouraged them to make requests for types of books they’d like me to purchase with our Scholastic book clubs points and at book fairs. Their eyes would like up just as bright as mine when the book box would arrive each month, and it was then that I knew that I had a classroom of students that developed into avid, independent readers.
One thing I know for sure is that when a teacher is enthusiastic about something and shows their passion for reading and learning, it’s contagious. When you teach, model, and give your students the resources to be successful readers, you will see growth and progress. It may not happen overnight, but I promise you that by early spring you’ll have a class full of enthusiastic readers, no matter the grade level you teach.
So get that classroom library organized and get those students of yours ready for book shopping. They will love it and you will be one happy teacher in a roomful of readers. Oh and I cannot start the year off without this amazing resource, Setting up Reader’s Workshop– The First 20 Days. Give it a try!
What strategies do you use to get your students to read?
Other posts you may like:
Transforming Students Into Writers
Teaching Writing Through Mentor Texts
Check out my Reading is Thinking bookmark and Think Mark sticky notes (emojis and reading strategies) at the Shop.
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Thanks for reading!
Christine Weis is a passionate educator, classroom management coach, wife, and mom of two busy boys. She enjoys teaching, writing, and creating resources for teachers.
As a current college student, I can wholeheartedly agree with how important reading is! I love how fun these baggies and sticky notes make it for the younger students. It will help them so much now and later in their education!
Hannah Rooks | therookiewife.com
Thank you! I agree…reading is so important and is necessary for our students’ future. Sticky notes, book marks and choice makes it so much fun!Thanks for reading!
Christine at For The Love of Teachers
I love the sticker organization idea! It helps make the kiddos more responsible for their learning environment!
Yes! It’s simple and works like charm! I love me some good organization! 😉
Thanks for reading!
Christine at For The Love of Teachers
Christine, these are such great tips and supplements to reading that will totally make kids want to read! I will definitely remember this!
Thank you Tiffanie! It works like a charm! Thanks for “reading!” 😉
Christine at For The Love of Teachers
Reading is the best! I really like your creative approach to getting kids to read by providing them with so many choices. The “I would like to read more weird school books.” made me laugh out loud. I totally get that kid. 🙂
I agree…I love reading and I think my passion for reading is contagious. My class library is impressive so my students couldn’t wait to go book shopping. I enjoy getting book requests. Anything to get them reading more and more. Thanks for “reading!” 😉
Christine at For The Love of Teachers
These are great tips for parents that want their children to develop a love for reading and learning! It’s key for children to have a well rounded education and reading is great for that!
I completely agree! Having a variety of books to choose from and to read at home really helps kids develop a love and interest for reading at a young age. Thanks for “reading!” 😉
Christine at For The Love of Teachers
I love that you encourage reading and make it so much fun. Giving the children freedom of choice to explore their interests must be so positive in the long run. I was such an avid reader when I was younger and only recently have started falling out of love with books. If you have any advice for me I would be super open to it 🙂
Thank you! Reading takes us to places we haven’t been, gives us experiences we haven’t experienced and can teach us SO MUCH! I think you need to find your passion…what is it that you like to read? Is it a particular genre? I bet you read a lot about what you write about. Are you interested in self help books? I just started reading You are a Bad Ass by Jen Sincero and Girl, Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis. Give them a try! Thanks for “reading!” 😉
Christine at For The Love of Teachers
This was such a great post, I wish this was around when my son was younger. He was a good reader but as far as doing it independently was a task. You want your kids to want to just read not because they have to but because they want to
Exactly! We want our kids to WANT to read. Most of the time kids find it a chore to read because they haven’t found that book or series that gets them “hooked.” It takes time, some longer than others. They have to “try out” many books before they find the ones they really enjoy. Thanks for “reading!” 😉
Christine at For The Love of Teachers
These are such wonderful tips! I especially love the little sticky notes they have so they can add notes to it as they read.
Oh, the sticky notes are a class favorite! I mean, who doesn’t love sticky notes, right!? 🙂 Thanks for “reading!” 😉
Christine at For The Love of Teachers
I wish I had seen this post in early summer – i’ve been trying to help my niece with her summer reading list all season & she always wants me to sit with her the entire time she’s reading! these are such great tips!
Thanks! Some kids need to build their confidence before they can read independently and that’s ok. If they haven’t been given the tools and resources to read independently I can see how kids struggle with it. Thanks for “reading!” 😉
Christine at For The Love of Teachers
I like that you let them choose what they want to read. It gets them more excited about reading.
Exactly! It really does work like a charm! Thanks for “reading!” 😉
Christine at For The Love of Teachers
These tips are so helpful! Our little one is beginning to read and we are trying to make the process fun and educational so he will enjoy it throughout his life! Thanks for sharing these tips! xo – kam
That’s fantastic! I’m so glad that this will help your growing reader! Thanks for “reading!” 😉
Christine at For The Love of Teachers
Thank you for these tips! I just spoke to my daughter about some of this earlier today. I love the tip about reading for enjoyment and how it is good for the soul. I think with all the technology around its hard for some young readers to realize that a book can take you on a trip around the world.
Kids today are really missing out when they skip reading because of technology. I’m glad you’re having these conversations with your daughter now. It’s so important! Thanks for “reading!” 😉
Christine at For The Love of Teachers
What a brilliant idea to have the students enjoy reading! I love how much you have invested in this program and buying your students books to help them enjoy reading and learning new things. Your students are so lucky to have you as a teacher!
Thank you for your kind comment! My passion for reading is contagious. Our class library was always impressive so it was easy to draw them in. Thanks for “reading!” 😉
Christine at For The Love of Teachers
I think having a choice is a big deal with someone who isn’t an independent reader. And also – I’m in my late 30s and i enjoy a picture book here and there 😂
Choice is key and is power!!! Picture books are for big kids too! I love reading picture books over and over again! Thanks for “reading!” 😉
Christine at For The Love of Teachers
I love these tips, thanks. My little one loves reading and I want to encourage it as he gets older
That’s fantastic to hear! Keep that love for reading growing! Thanks for “reading!” 😉
Christine at For The Love of Teachers