Encouraging independent reading habits in students

Getting Your Students to Read Independently

Easier said then done, right? One of the best things that a teacher can do for a student is to help him/her on the path of becoming a life long reader. That is the dream for any elementary or English teacher. If all of our students graduated school choosing to spend some of their extra time reading each day, well, the possibilities for human potential would be limitless.

Here are some tips and tricks that we have incorporated into our classrooms:

• Give students time in class to read independently everyday. We can’t expect all students to read on their own for homework, but if they get into a book at school there is a more likely chance that they will read more on their own for homework. Check out more for advocating for the rights to read.

• Let students pick their own independent reading books. Teach them how to pick a good book and offer suggestions of engaging titles. Check out our Goodreads page for some great middle school book suggestions.

• Make conferencing with students about their independent reading a priority. When you read a good book, all you really want to do it talk about it with someone who has also read it. While individual conferencing every week is a lot of work, it does help you monitor progress and it gives students that all important one on one time with you. Checkout our blog post on questions to ask during a reading conference.