top of page

How NOT to Get Middle Schoolers to Read

  • Writer: Megan Mariano
    Megan Mariano
  • Oct 7, 2024
  • 3 min read

ree

The struggle to get students reading real books has gotten much more difficult over the years. With the onset of social media and back in the day, video games, kids can be turned off to reading. To add fuel to the fire, students' parents are not reading either, which, in turn, makes it much more difficult for us as educators.


However, while it is still a struggle everyday for me, there are ways to ensure that students will read and will do so without resistance.


What NOT to do:

Enforce daily reading logs: I wrote an entire blog post about this. Enforcing daily reading logs builds resentment and takes away from the joy of reading. While yes, we need to hold students accountable for their reading, the chore of doing a daily log does not help.


INSTEAD, you may want to consider a weekly book log and/or a reading record to keep track of their reading.

ree

-------

Require students to read a set number of pages each night: Pigeon-holing students into a set number of pages, yet again, makes it feel like an assignment. We want to build a love for reading. The only time I expect set pages is when they read with book clubs, but in that scenario, they are deciding on what to read with their groups.


INSTEAD, just give them a ballpark number of pages to read a week. Or don't. If they are using their books in class, too, it will encourage them to read. Otherwise, they can't do the work.

-------

Do whole class novels: First of all, whole class novels are WAY better than just straight short stories or a basal reader. However, in the grand scheme of things, relying on whole class novels forces students to read books they may hate, building a hate for reading.


INSTEAD, use a whole class novel as a read aloud and encourage student choice reading in their independent work. You can read all about how I make this work in my blog post below.


ree

-------

Give multiple-choice tests on their reading: There is a place for this RIGHT before testing, but that's it. It is not necessary to do this year-round. A lot of us do it for the "grade", but that's not practical Again...that's an assignment. Then they feel they have to study their book, not enjoy it. ELA is not really one of those subjects conducive to testing like other subjects, so why would we force it?


INSTEAD, there are so many other ways to assess reading; conferencing, benchmark assessments, book talks, book reviews, etc. Make a rubric if you need something for the gradebook. Rubrics are truly my lifeline and the only way I get grade. ELA is not like math; it's much more nuanced.


ree
You can get my Reading Response Rubric for FREE!

-------

Create tangible rewards for their reading: The cringiest of the cringe for me. Whoever reads the most books gets a pizza party! Yuck. What gets me crazier is when there are contest for the most reading. This makes it competitive and reading shouldn't be about that. It also makes it very disheartening for struggling readers. My blog post goes into this in-depth.


INSTEAD, making reading just...normal. Part of the everyday routine. Reading real books. I also do the 40 Book Challenge (NOT graded), which intrinsically motivates them. I've incorporated book bingo with "prizes" like you see below. (The book bingo isn't mine...I found on on TpT).

ree

BOTTOM LINE:

Ultimately, we all know it's nearly impossible to get kids to read if there is no support at home, but there is hope. Avoiding the above will certainly at least help get your students on the right path. I also feel we need to accept that we won't get every child to love reading. Of course we try, but we should really also focus on those who want to learn.


***Want a CUSTOM BUNDLE from me? Click below!***


ree

Follow me:

ree

45 Comments


calistoy2007
Aug 11

Enter this Hands-On from a couple of years back with a release from Rolex nobody saw coming: A two-tone Sea-Dweller. That's right: Rolex's most toolish tool-watch got the bi-metal treatment, and our own James Stacey was there link to break it all down, with some stellar link images to boot. This watch is a great example link of how the best days of two-tone may yet be ahead of us.

Like

calistoy2007
Aug 11

The most feminine timepiece on the watchmaking landscape invites love to express link itself, in the form of an embrace of link glowing precious stones, on its delicately iridescent link oval face embraced by ribbons of diamonds.

Like

Get filecr Into pc
Get filecr Into pc
Aug 11

OvaGames adalah solusi download game terpercaya.

Like

calistoy2007
Aug 11

The brilliant blue dial is inspired by the Oruri songbird (otherwise known link as the Blue-And-White Flycatcher) which migrates to Japan from Southeast link Asia at the beginning of summer. Grand Seiko's worked with illustrator ShiShi Yamazaki to create illustrations link depicting the bird and its rich blue plumage.

Like

calistoy2007
Aug 10

Brand: TimexModel: Q link Timex 1972 ReissueReference link Number:Diameter: 43mmCase Material: Stainless steel link Dial Color: BurgundyIndexes: Applied giltWater Resistance: 50mmStrap/Bracelet: Natural leather strap

Like
bottom of page