1. Reading Buddies
Pair up students so they can share stories together. Buddies can take turns reading aloud, summarize chapters for each other, or even quiz one another on details. The social aspect makes reading feel more like a shared adventure.
2. Guest Readers
Invite parents, other teachers, or even community members to come in and read a favorite book or short story. Middle graders love seeing familiar adults in a new light—and it’s always fun when the principal shows up with a silly picture book!
3. Author Visits
Nothing excites young readers more than meeting the creator behind their favorite stories. Whether in person or virtual, author visits give students the chance to ask questions, learn about the writing process, and see that authors are real people just like them.
4. Book Clubs
Give students a voice in choosing books for small reading groups. Book clubs create accountability, encourage discussion, and help students discover new genres. You can make it extra fun by providing snacks, cozy seating, or themed activities related to the book.
5. Reading Challenges
Turn reading into a game! Create punch card bookmarks, track books in a class jar, or set up milestone prizes for completed books. A little gamification can go a long way with middle graders.
6. Choice & Ownership
Let students pick their own books whenever possible. Graphic novels, biographies, magazines, and audiobooks all count as reading. When students feel ownership over what they’re reading, their motivation naturally increases.
7. Special Reading Events
Host a Flashlight Friday, a classroom reading picnic, or even build a cardboard “reading clubhouse” where students can read inside for a few minutes at a time. Simple changes in the routine make reading feel exciting again.
Teacher Corner: Start a Teacher Book Club 📖
If we want our students to be lifelong readers, it helps for them to see us modeling a love of books. One fun way to do this is to start a teacher book club at your school! Not only will you stay motivated as a reader yourself, but you’ll also build community with your colleagues.
Here are 3 ideas to get your teacher book club started:
Genre Rotation – Rotate genres each month (mystery, historical fiction, memoir, etc.) so everyone gets a chance to explore something new.
Snack & Story Night – Combine your meeting with a potluck snack night for a cozy, bookish get-together.
Lunch or Winery Meetings – Host your book club at a favorite lunch spot (inservice days may work well), or plan an evening gathering at a local winery for a relaxing, grown-up twist.
How I Afford My Teacher Book Club Books 💡
I use the Ibotta app to earn cash back on my everyday grocery shopping, and then I use that money to purchase my teacher book club books with Amazon gift cards. It’s a fun way to treat myself guilt-free!
👉 Check out Ibotta here – my affiliate link
After I finish the books, I sell them through Sell Your Books, which gives me a little extra money to put toward the book club meeting. 🍷😋
👉 Check out Sell Your Books here – Not an affiliate link
With the right mix of creativity, social connection, and ownership, middle grade readers can develop a lifelong love of books—and you might find yourself more inspired to read right alongside them!
