Promoting a Love of Literacy in Students

Reading is my absolute favorite subject to teach. I believe that the most important goal of reading instruction is to promote a love of reading. However, learning to read is not a natural process. For those students who dislike reading, most of the time, it is because they struggle to read and are lacking the skills needed to be a successful reader. As teachers, we have a wonderful opportunity to change a child's life through reading.

Below are some tips and strategies that I have found helpful to ignite a passion for reading in students:

1. Teach Reading Strategies

Before a student will enjoy reading, they must have the skills necessary to read successfully. As teachers, we must teach our students the effective strategies needed to be successful readers. By doing so, we will cultivate a love for reading. I plan to share some of my favorite reading strategies in later blog posts.

2. Be a Reading Role Model

For children to develop a love of reading, they must first be read to at home. However, not all students have that opportunity. As teachers, we should be reading role models for our students. We have the opportunity to make the greatest impact by promoting reading in the classroom. Reading should be the center of our classroom and our love of reading should be displayed in various ways throughout the classroom. We can share our reading experiences with our students by sharing some of our favorite books and authors, talking about what we are reading at home, and what we are excited to read with students.

3. Make Reading a Priority in the Classroom.

In order for students to develop a love for reading, they must spend time reading. The more students read, the easier it becomes, and the more enjoyable it will be. Students should have many opportunities to read in the classroom each day from instructional guided reading to independent reading time. It is important to designate 15-20 minutes each day for independent reading where students read a book of choice for enjoyment. During this time, I allow students to choose a special place in the classroom to read.

4. Read Alouds

A read aloud should be essential in the primary grades for students to develop listening comprehension, build knowledge, and vocabulary. We should read aloud texts that are two-three grade levels above the current grade to help students grow in reading. Struggling readers also benefit from read alouds because they can build background knowledge, vocabulary, and grow their language comprehension skills.

5. Book Tasting

A book tasting is a fun, easy way for students to sample a variety of books and be introduced to new authors and genres. Book tastings can be accomplished in a variety of ways that meet the needs of students. They can be set up in the cafeteria, library, classroom, or even outside. They should reflect a restaurant-like ambiance with table cloths and place settings at each student's seat. I always buy flowers for the center of the tables and play music in my classroom. After students choose their favorite book from our classroom or school library, they write about why it is their favorite. Their book and writing are displayed at their seat. During the book tasting, students rotate around the classroom getting a taste of new books by spending 3-5 minutes exploring a book. During each rotation, they make notes about each of the books. They can rotate seats at the same table or move to a different table and this process continues for the allotted time.

6. Mystery Readers

Mystery Readers are a fun way to encourage parent involvement in your classroom, and students love having a special guest come and share their favorite book. It can be a parent, family member, community member, or anyone who wants to share their love of reading with the class. Each Friday, a mystery guest comes to my classroom to share their favorite book with our class. Parents sign up to read and list the book that they plan to read. When someone signs up, I ask them to email me three clues about themselves that I will share with the class. Then, students infer, based on the clues provided, who the "Mystery Reader" will be. Sometimes students guess correctly, but other times it is a complete surprise. It is always such an exciting moment when the door finally opens on Friday afternoon and students can see if their predictions were correct.

7. Provide Student Book Choice

Let students choose their books in the classroom. Each Friday, I let my students choose three new books to read for their book boxes. Nothing can compare to the excitement on their faces each Friday afternoon, as they go shopping for new books. Nothing motivates a child more to read than shelves filled with books of all genres, reading levels, and topics. I have a leveled reading library, but I also have sections sorted by topic. I let students choose one book based on interest, not reading level. By providing students with choice, they can take ownership of their reading, and independent readers begin to bloom.

8. Let Students be Authors and Write Books

My students always love doing this culminating activity at the end of a learning module in reading. Students choose their characters, settings, problems, and resolutions to create a story. Next, they illustrate their book and create a book cover. Lastly, they share their book with the class. These books also make a wonderful addition to your classroom library for students to read.

9. Celebrate Books and Authors

My favorite week of the year is Read Across America where we celebrate Dr. Seuss, one of my favorite children's authors. Each day we read and focus on a different book, and students complete reading and writing activities based on the book. Students also have trivia questions each day about Dr. Seuss and compete for prizes. One of my favorite books by Dr. Seuss is Green Eggs and Ham. After reading the book, students enjoy eating "green eggs and ham". This activity makes the book come to life and it is one that students will always remember. I will share more of my favorite books and authors to study in a later post.

All children can develop a love of reading with the right skills, strategies, and encouragement. As teachers, we have the opportunity to build a love of reading that will last a lifetime.

Resources:

Starke, K. (2020, January 31). Developing a love of reading in students. Edutopia. Retrieved January 22, 2022, from https://www.edutopia.org/article/developing-love-reading-students

Aguilar, E. (2013, February 13). 10 ways to cultivate a love of reading in students. Edutopia. Retrieved January 22, 2022, from https://www.edutopia.org/blog/cultivating-love-reading-students-elena-aguilar