Reading has long been a hot-button issue in teaching, with the raising better readers always a focal point for discussion.
Currently, one of those talking points involves Structured Literacy; some are concerned that teaching the skills needed for decoding is not tantamount to instilling a love of reading in students.
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In fact, encouraging students to want to read has always been a discrete area of learning. There is no one-size-fits-all approach, but here are some ways to help students become avid readers:
Be clear about reading for pleasure
If students don’t see reading at home, they could be forgiven for thinking that it only serves an academic purpose. Introduce students to the idea the ‘point’ of reading is simply to enjoy it. Reading can be done for pleasure, just about anywhere at any time; from in bed to at the beach (maybe not in the car, though!).
Related School News story: Ministry of Education data shows positive start for Structured Literacy approach
Read a book aloud to the class
This has a few advantages- it’s a great way to fill any short gaps in the day, it provides a good quiet decompression opportunity and it models reading to students. It also allows them to access texts that may be at their comprehension level, but above their reading level. Give students a say in what book comes next, and consider allowing quiet activities like doodling while you read aloud.
Make time every day
Dedicated reading time each day gives students an opportunity to read for pleasure and reinforces it as an important and worthwhile thing to do. It’s even better, and more exciting for students, if these are books they’ve chosen for themselves, rather than level readers.
Value and normalise reading
Whether others around them read is a strong influencer of whether children are readers themselves. School staff can model being readers by starting conversations about books. Tell students about what you’re reading (with edits for content-appropriateness as needed!) and ask students about their books and why they like them.
Knowing adults who are readers shows students it has value.
You could even consider a book club to help students discuss their reading with one another!
Reading role models
Build on sharing your own reading adventures by showing students that other adults value reading, too. Consider a display with other school staff sharing their favourite level-appropriate reads, and share stories about bookworm celebrities to inspire kids (Ariana Grande has apparently read the whole Harry Potter series at least three times, Harry Styles loves a good book and Olivia Rodrigo has tweeted some of her top reads, for example).
Take a trip to the library
Okay, this one’s a bit more high effort, but could reap rewards in the long run. Organising a local library trip, giving students a chance to browse the shelves and talk to the library staff can show them possibilities beyond what’s available at home and school.
All reading is good reading
Reading for pleasure is a highly personal pursuit- some people’s dream is curling up on the couch with an athlete’s biography, whereas others won’t pick up a book that isn’t a classic novel. Similarly, children’s interest in reading might be sparked by something other than a curriculum-sanctioned early reader; think comic books, graphic novels, joke books, fact files and even encyclopedias as alternatives to the norm.
Show students that all reading is valuable and not to be looked down upon.
When books are treated as an enjoyable part of everyday life, students can see that they have potential as readers. The benefits extend to their academic attainment and beyond, setting them up to get more out of reading.
