Reading Culture in School

How to Build & Promote a Strong Reading Culture in School

Teachers know that children who read for pleasure do better in school. Reading improves literacy and academic success, according to a study. Reading opens young minds to new points of view and ideas, helping them create educational connections. International Village School, one of the famous schools in Chennai, tries to inculcate the reading habit in students by making it compulsory. In the article below, let us see how a school can develop a reading culture amongst students.

Ways to Encourage Independent Reading

Here are a few proven techniques for getting young people interested in reading.

Teach DEAR

Beverly Clearly founded DEAR in the United States. In certain schools, a bell rings, and everyone pauses from what they are doing to read for half an hour. This reading is not part of the curriculum and is not assessed. It is pure fun and is not required for the entire school. Start with DEAR time in your classroom; if your students like it, spread it across the school.

Explore Genres

Encouraging students to read in all genres offers them many ways to enjoy reading. Graphic novels, biographies, memoirs, poetry, picture books, short stories, essays, articles, and blog posts are interesting alternatives to the classics. Your students can read five genres in a month, and doing so will encourage them to read more.

Role of Teachers in Developing Reading Culture in School

Teachers are role models for children. You are the adult that children see the most besides their parents. Discuss what you are reading with your students each week. Make a list of the books you have read this year on your classroom wall. When it is DEAR time, read in front of your students. Your school's reading culture will grow by combining themes with relevant books. Reading is not just for English class. PE teachers can read five minutes of Bend It Like Beckham, and The Boy in the Striped Pajamas is a good history book. If you teach Food Preparation and Nutrition, assign recipes and food items.

Classroom Initiatives to Inculcate Reading Habit

In addition to the school library, create an informal classroom library. Group books by theme (animals, mountains, etc.) so kids can find what they're looking for. Ask parents to bring in old books from charity shops and boot sales. Ask local bookstores for a book donation.

Besides providing literature, provide students with a place to read. Create a reading corner in your classroom by decorating a place with posters and markers, beanbags, or comfortable chairs, and encourage children to read there.

Competitive reading can motivate even hesitant readers. Setting reading challenges, such as reading five novels monthly, will push students forward. Encourage student creativity and make them read to their siblings or people at home. Finally, reward them with a book.

In the library or classroom, hang a whiteboard. Encourage your students to make book recommendations and reviews. This encourages students to read and discuss the reading. Students and instructors love having authors visit them. If you can't find a local author to speak to, you can show your students a talk online.

Summing It Up

After the summer break, elementary teachers often detect a drop in reading ability. The best way to sort out this issue is by encouraging kids to keep reading over the holidays. E-books are a great choice, and International Village School, one of the famous schools in Chennai, makes an immense effort to provide easy access for students to their digital libraries from anywhere.