4 Powerful Ways to Help Students Become Lifelong Readers
Helping Students Become Lifelong Readers
Easier said than done, right? One of the best things a teacher can do for a student is to help them on the path to becoming a lifelong reader. That’s the dream for any elementary or English teacher. If all our students graduated school choosing to spend some of their extra time reading each day, the possibilities for human potential would be limitless.
Here are some tips and tricks that we’ve incorporated into our classrooms:
1. Give Students Time to Read in Class Daily
We can’t expect all students to read consistently for homework, but if they get into a book during class, there’s a much greater chance they’ll continue reading on their own. Want to support this philosophy further? Check out more on advocating for the rights to read.
2. Let Students Choose Their Own Books
Teach students how to find books that are a good fit for them and offer curated suggestions of engaging, age-appropriate titles. Giving them ownership of their reading increases investment and motivation. Take a look at our Goodreads page for some great middle school book suggestions.
3. Make Reading Conferences a Priority
When you read a good book, all you want to do is talk about it with someone else who’s read it. Conferencing with students, even briefly, shows them their reading matters and gives them one-on-one time with you. While weekly individual check-ins are a big commitment, they allow you to monitor progress and build relationships. Visit our blog post on reading conference questions for helpful tips.
4. Use Book Tracker Forms to Support and Celebrate Progress
Another easy but effective strategy is using book tracker forms. These forms help students reflect on what they’re reading, set personal reading goals, and visually track their progress over time. Whether it’s a simple weekly log, a Google Form, or a printed “Books I’ve Read” chart, trackers can be powerful tools. We like this one from Etsy.
Here are a few ways to incorporate book trackers:
Google Forms: Have students submit a quick update each week—book title, current page, a 1-sentence summary, and a rating.
Paper Trackers: Let students decorate and personalize their own reading logs or “shelves” where they color in a book every time they finish one.
Digital Spreadsheets: Use shared Google Sheets where students can see a cumulative list of their completed books throughout the year.
Trackers can add structure without pressure, and they help make reading feel like an accomplishment. Plus, they give you helpful data for conferences and report cards.