It’s back to school time, and the competition for any middle schooler’s attention is notably divided. Not only is there a new grade with new teachers with new classmates, but there are also new sports, new extracurriculars, and a whole host of other things (ahem…technology…) grabbing their attention. Let’s start the school year off right by focusing on developing positive reader identities in our middle schoolers so that they when they have a spare minute, they reach for a book instead of a phone!
Part of the issue with middle schoolers seeing themselves as readers is motivation. Many of the texts middle schoolers encounter in school are non-fiction in nature, which provides a prime opportunity to find books that mirror the topics and interests that they will encounter in school as well as those that will follow them into high school. Check out School Library Journal’s 19 standout non-fiction books for middle schoolers for back to school. Middle schoolers can see that they can go to books (and not just the Internet) to learn more about what interests them!
What’s that you say? You’re middle schooler is saying they don’t have time to read? Instructional Coach Gretchen Taylor encourages middle schoolers to solve their own problems when it comes to time management. The goal is to help them see that being a reader means you read on a regular basis and it’s built into your regular schedule. Her students came up with the following list of action steps:
Finally, invite middle schoolers into books from the very first page with this simple teaching routine from Jason DeHart:
Readers ask these questions to be more motivated to find out what happens in books, and sometimes middle schoolers need extra help in figuring out how readers approach books.
As you could tell, this is all about helping our middle schoolers think about what it means to be a reader, how to make time for reading, and trying to find books to keep them reading. As you get your schedules in order this fall, talk with the middle schoolers in your life about making sure their burgeoning identities – often connected to all the activities they do – also involves reading!
The post From the Classroom – Developing Positive Reader Identities appeared first on From The Mixed Up Files.
Keeping Them Motivated
Part of the issue with middle schoolers seeing themselves as readers is motivation. Many of the texts middle schoolers encounter in school are non-fiction in nature, which provides a prime opportunity to find books that mirror the topics and interests that they will encounter in school as well as those that will follow them into high school. Check out School Library Journal’s 19 standout non-fiction books for middle schoolers for back to school. Middle schoolers can see that they can go to books (and not just the Internet) to learn more about what interests them!
Time Management
What’s that you say? You’re middle schooler is saying they don’t have time to read? Instructional Coach Gretchen Taylor encourages middle schoolers to solve their own problems when it comes to time management. The goal is to help them see that being a reader means you read on a regular basis and it’s built into your regular schedule. Her students came up with the following list of action steps:
- Write out your daily schedule and make appointments for reading
- Always be prepared with reading material
- Consider audiobooks as a reading option, especially if you know you’ll have extra time in the car or waiting around between activities
- Make some time on the weekend if your weeks are especially busy
Approaching Books
Finally, invite middle schoolers into books from the very first page with this simple teaching routine from Jason DeHart:
- What do you notice about this world? Does it sound like the world you know or a different kind of place?
- Who are the characters? Who do you think is the protagonist and what do you think makes it so?
- What do these characters want and what seems to be in their way?
Readers ask these questions to be more motivated to find out what happens in books, and sometimes middle schoolers need extra help in figuring out how readers approach books.
As you could tell, this is all about helping our middle schoolers think about what it means to be a reader, how to make time for reading, and trying to find books to keep them reading. As you get your schedules in order this fall, talk with the middle schoolers in your life about making sure their burgeoning identities – often connected to all the activities they do – also involves reading!
The post From the Classroom – Developing Positive Reader Identities appeared first on From The Mixed Up Files.