Motivation Matters: Strategies to Keep Kids Reading All Year Long
This six-part series will explore practical strategies to keep kids reading throughout the school year. We’ll dive into everything from read-alouds to high/low books and more, offering actionable tips and insights for educators and caregivers alike.
Part 1: Read-Alouds — Inspire a Love of Reading All Year Long
One of the simplest and most powerful ways to motivate students is to read aloud to them—every day.
Especially in spring, when classroom energy starts to buzz, reading aloud works like magic. It settles the room, draws kids into stories that comfort and inspire, and reminds everyone that reading is joyful—not just another item on the to-do list.
Reading aloud does more than entertain. It lays the foundation for independent reading by igniting curiosity and motivation that lasts long after the final page.
Why read-alouds work:
Create classroom connection. Sharing a story brings kids together. They laugh, wonder, and bond over favorite characters and unexpected twists.
Ella McKeen, Kickball Queen – “Emotions ring true… A good read-aloud choice to spark discussion.” — School Library Journal
The Mistakes That Made Us: Confessions from Twenty Poets – “A gentle reminder of the stepping stones making up the path to growth, discovery, and creativity.” — starred, Booklist
Twigs and Stones – “A perfect read-aloud... teaching the value of kindness through humor.” — School Library Journal
Model reading fluency. Read-alouds show what great reading sounds like—smooth pacing, expression, and rich vocabulary that kids naturally start to imitate.
Frank’s Red Hat – “A hilarious tale of creativity… boisterous read-aloud... extremely amusing.” — starred, Shelf Awareness
The Love of the Moonlight – “Buckner invites readers to view the moon as a model of peace, comfort, and love in this message-driven picture book.” — Publishers Weekly
Diggers, Dozers, and Dumpers – “Perfect for shared story hours... What a joyful way to impart information... and make children rethink what they know about tools.” —School Library Journal
Inspire reading. When students see how fun and surprising stories can be, they’re more likely to reach for books themselves and keep the reading momentum going.
One Plastic Bag: Isatou Ceesay and the Recycling Women of the Gambia – “A beautiful, thought-provoking tale of ecological awareness… An inspiring account.” — starred, School Library Journal
Touch the Sky – “A book that soars... capturing the challenge, excitement, and wonder of conquering your first swing.” —starred, Booklist
Kahoʻolawe; The True Story of an Island and Her People –“A stunningly beautiful book that tells the story of destruction, devastation, and resilience, of both the human and natural world. . . The artwork tells the story in dramatic, compelling, and beautiful ways. Together, text and art will engage readers from the first page.”— starred, School Library Journal
Read-alouds are a teacher’s secret weapon. They build community, boost confidence, and turn students into readers who want to read. So grab a book, turn up the storytelling energy, and bring the joy of reading to life in your classroom.
Need help curating a powerful read-aloud collection?
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Coming up in the series:
Reclaiming Independent Reading Time: Why It Still Matters
From Compliance to Curiosity: Creating Authentic Independent Reading Experiences
The Silent Crisis: What Happens When Kids Don’t See Themselves as Readers
How Classroom Libraries Can Build—or Break—Reading Culture
Making Time to Read: Creative Scheduling Solutions That Work
Reader’s Choice: Why Student Agency is the Secret Ingredient
Filling the Gap: Books for Students Who “Hate Books”
