How do you create a culture of reading in your classroom and your school?
Creating a culture of reading in the classroom goes beyond simply encouraging students to read more; it involves fostering an environment where students actively engage with literature and with each other.
Peer-to-peer conversations about books play a crucial role in this process. Task cards, curated classroom libraries, reading reflections, and book clubs are just some of the strategies educators can use to promote meaningful discussions and a genuine love for reading among students.
In this blog post, Kristy, from 2 Peas and a Dog, and Carolyn, from Middle School Cafe, will explore various methods to cultivate a culture of reading that inspires students to explore, share, and connect through literature.
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Peer-To-Peer Conversations About Books (Carolyn)
Task cards are a powerful tool for promoting a culture of reading by promoting peer-to-peer conversations. Task cards serve as conversation starters, helping to build a supportive community of readers. By providing questions or prompts about literary elements or reading skills, task cards allow students of all reading levels to engage, offering multiple entry points into the discussion.
Whether exploring character motives, predicting plot developments, or relating themes to personal experiences, task cards give students the confidence to discuss literature at their level. If you are looking for more ways to get your students talking about books, listen to Episode #18 of the Middle School Cafe Podcast.
Article of the Week (Kristy)
How do you use non-fiction in your classroom? Article of the Week is a strategy created by Kelly Gallagher. Teachers assign students a non-fiction article each week to read and provide time for students to develop a well-written response. Each article needs at least two critical thinking response questions. This provides students with a choice on which question they want to write a response for. I don’t start with the year with essay response questions – students’ learning is scaffolded from completely guided responses to independent responses.
For more information about this literacy strategy read Article of the Week Lesson Ideas for Middle and High School Students.
Power of the School Library (Carolyn)
School libraries are more than just rooms filled with books; they are gateways to worlds of adventure, mystery, and knowledge! By taking students to the library with the specific purpose of allowing students to explore and select books of their choosing, you can nurture a culture of reading.
Giving students access to the library not only makes reading personal for students, but also highlights the library as a valuable resource for discovering new interests and ideas. When students learn to use the library, they seek out books that match their interests, thus providing the motivation and purpose for reading.
Do you take your students to the library just to browse and pick out books? Read this post, The Importance of School Libraries for Middle and High School Students, which highlights some of the ways school libraries encourage a culture of reading.
For more information about how school librarians are a great asset to classroom teachers, read this article by Barbara Paciotti, a retired School Librarian, about 12 Ways a School Librarian Can Help Teachers.
Curated Classroom Library (Kristy)
When I first started teaching, I felt that if my classroom library was crammed full of books it would make students want to read. After a few years, I began to feel differently. Students don’t need thousands of random books, they need access to purposely curated book collections based on their interests and needs.
My goal was to find inexpensive books (thrift stores, Scholastic points, donations, etc.) that were current enough to maintain my students’ interest. As much as you might love the 1988 version of your favourite book, it might not gain students’ interest today. Amanda Cardenas from Mud and Ink Teaching shares the idea of using a rolling cart for your classroom library. You don’t need thousands of books – just a curated collection of highly engaging books.
Setting up a classroom library can feel daunting. Maybe it seems out of reach financially, or maybe all of the organization involved just feels like too much. Maybe you’re not even sure if it would be worth it. In this A Teacher’s Guide To Classroom Libraries resource, teachers can learn about why classroom libraries are still super important in the digital age, and how you can build one.
Accountability With Purpose (Carolyn)
Ditch the reading log, instead use reading reflections! Reading reflections help students see reading as more than a required task, reading reflections encourage students to think critically about what they read. By reflecting on their thoughts, impressions, and questions, students develop their own interpretations and perspectives, developing a genuine interest in reading.
By engaging on a personal level with the text, students find greater meaning and purpose in their reading, promoting a culture of reading that extends beyond the classroom. Still not sure? This blog post, Reading Reflections vs Reading Logs: What’s the Better Choice?, goes into more detail about how reading reflections help strengthen and build a culture of reading.
Peer Recommendations (Kristy)
People love it when they get recommendations from people they trust. Students are no different! They like it when their peers recommend books that they might enjoy reading. This helps create a culture of reading. I like using this Read This/Read It resource. Your students can write their own book reviews using pre-made graphic organizers to help them organize their thoughts. These are perfect to keep on a bulletin board by your classroom library, or in a binder separated by genre so students can hunt for book recommendations.
Book Clubs with Choice Reading (Carolyn)
Book clubs in middle school help create a culture of reading by letting students choose their own books. This choice gives students ownership and makes reading more engaging. Additionally, book clubs offer real-world learning opportunities. As students discuss books from their unique perspectives and cultural backgrounds, they learn to understand and appreciate different views. These discussions not only make reading more fun, but also help students see the value in different opinions, building empathy and a broader view of the world. This collaborative experience encourages students to keep reading and learning together, strengthening the reading culture in your class.
Want to learn how to set up book cubs in your class? This planning guide will walk you through the process.
Book Promotion (Kristy)
It is very important to promote reading in your classroom to create a culture of reading. Some great ways to do this are using book talks – both student and teacher-created, showing book trailers and leading by example. Set aside time each week for students to share their thoughts on the books they read. This can be done in the traditional book talk format or you can try an “unboxing” format.
You might have seen unboxing videos on social media. For this activity, students can “unbox” their novel and other novels they have curated (similar themes, authors, topics, etc.), or they can unbox their novel and items that represent the novel. They then explain on camera how the books or objects are related to the original novel. Since students are recording their thoughts on video, it might help students be less anxious about presenting to their peers. Learn more about this format in the blog post Get Students Excited About Reading.
You can also find book trailers on YouTube to get students interested in certain books. Students must see that you are also a reader. Share what books you are currently reading and take time to read in class.
Involve The Entire School (Carolyn)
Creating a culture of reading extends beyond your individual classroom. To help students understand that reading is important (not just in your class) consider showcasing what staff members are currently reading. This could be through displays around the school or by placing a “Book I’m Currently Reading” poster outside each teacher’s door.
Another way to involve staff is to invite them as guests into your classroom to share a book talk. Hearing from administrators, counselors, secretaries, bus drivers, cafeteria staff and the list goes on, about their favorite books can spark interest and conversation about different genres.
In Episode #2 of the Middle School Cafe Podcast, you can hear a story of how a PE Teacher inspired students to read. Involving staff from across your building to share their love of reading helps students see that reading is valued across disciplines and that all staff members engage with books, not just those who teach English.
Reading Journals (Kristy)
How do you hold your students accountable for their reading? Reading logs have been used traditionally in classrooms, but they don’t always tell the full story of a student’s reading life. I like using reading journals with students where they can share their detailed thoughts about what they read.
In their reading journal, students can set goals, and write lists of books they want to read, as well as books they have finished. Everything is contained in a notebook so students are not losing papers and teachers do not need to keep track of individual pages. Learn 8 Fun Reading Log Alternatives that you can use with your students.
Building a culture of reading in your classroom is a multifaceted effort. The strategies discussed in this blog post not only enhance students’ reading skills, but also build a supportive community of readers.
Additional Reading
- 10 Ways to Cultivate a Love of Reading
- Best Middle School Book Recommendations
- How to Promote a Reading Culture in Schools
- 9 Tips to Build a Strong School Reading Culture
About The Authors
Carolyn has taught middle school ELA and Social Studies for over 20 years, working with students in grades 6 to 12. Throughout her career, she has been a leader in education, serving as the ELA department head and teacher mentor for many years. Carolyn creates ELA and Social Studies resources designed to help busy teachers make a bigger impact with their students. A lifelong learner and avid reader, Carolyn shares her love for teaching with other educators through her podcast and on her blog, Middle School Cafe, and her resources on Teachers Pay Teachers.
Kristy has taught ELA and other subjects to middle school students for over 17 years in the Greater Toronto Area of Ontario, Canada. She is guilty of always having a book in her hand – even at the dinner table! She shares teaching content on her website, 2 Peas and a Dog, and sells middle school education resources on Teachers Pay Teachers or Shopify.
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