Strategies to engage students as readers

Teachers creating readers

Teachers create readers in the class by teaching students how to read, by being a reading role model and by creating a classroom culture where reading for pleasure is encouraged and supported.

Reading aloud

Reading aloud to students of all ages, including teenagers, is a vital part of any good reading programme. It's enjoyable, stimulates interest, imagination and language, and exposes students to the joys of reading.

Helping students choose books for reading pleasure

Librarians and teachers have an important role in helping students learn how to find a ‘just right’ book. A vital step for a student towards becoming an engaged reader is knowing how to successfully browse, preview, and select what to read for pleasure.

Student reading interests

Knowing your students' reading interests will help you connect them with reading material they'll enjoy. It also ensures your school library collection can be developed to suit students' needs, abilities, and interests.

Reluctant readers

Explore strategies you can use to support and motivate reluctant readers so that they become readers who want to read for the sheer joy of it.

Tween readers — keeping them motivated

Keeping children reading during the tween years, from around ages 9 to 12, can be a challenge. Knowing their interests and providing a range of reading material will help keep their enjoyment of reading alive.

Engaging teens with reading

As teens' lives become increasingly digital, books compete with the compelling lure of social media, games, smartphones, screen media, and schoolwork for teens' time. Find inspiration and strategies to encourage teens to read for pleasure.

Book clubs

Book clubs are a great way to engage students with reading and help build a reading culture at your school. Explore options for setting up and running a book club. Find ideas for discussions and activities your book club will enjoy.