Teachers are always looking for ways to push their pupils’ reading motivation. Studies confirms that a child’s motivation is the key factor in successful reading. You may have noticed pupils in your classroom who are struggling readers, tend to have a lack of motivation and do not like to partake in book-related activities. These pupils may have trouble selecting appropriate texts, and therefore do not like to read for pleasure. With these, here are some simple ways on how to boost your pupils’ reading motivation.

1. 1.Make a Class Book — Have each pupil bring in their favourite book and take a picture of them holding their book. Then have them write a short paragraph about why it is their favourite book.
2. 2.Have a Book Cover Contest – Have pupils use poster board to create a book cover of their favorite book. Then display the posters in the hallway and have pupils vote on the best book cover. Place a jar next to the posters for a secret ballad vote.
3. 3.Host a Book Exchange – A wonderful to get more mileage out of your books to organize a book exchange in your classroom. Have each pupil bring in a few used books to exchange with their classmates. A fun way to exchange the books is to make a game out of it. Have pupils sit in a circle and pass their books to the right until the music stops then whichever book is in their hands when the music stops they get to keep. You can do this as many times as needed until all the books are exchanged.
4. 4.Have a Book – a – Thon – How many books can you read in a week? Starting the first day of book week, send home a login sheet for pupils to keep track of the books they read during that week. For every ten books they read, they can pick a prize from the prize box. Set aside time each day in class for the pupils that may not have a lot of times at home.
5. 5.Provide a Mystery Reader — Send home a “secret flyer” asking parents if they can come in the class and read their favourite story to the pupils. In the flyer, provide a section for the parent to fill out five clues about their child for the children to guess who the mystery reader is before they enter the class. Have parents choose clues from hardest to easiest. ( Example: This person is a boy, this person has brown hair) As you read the clues have the pupils stand and the pupils that think you are talking about them remain standing until there is only one person left.
6. 6.Read and Review – A great way to make a reluctant reader feel special, and motivate them to want to read, is by asking them to review a new book for the class library.
7. 7.Thematic Book Bags — A fun way for younger students to boost their reading motivation is to create a thematic book bag. Each week, select five pupils to be chosen to take home a book bag and complete the assignment that’s in the bag. Inside each bag, place a book with theme-related contents in it. For example, place a Curious George book, a stuffed monkey, a follow up activity about monkeys, and a journal for the pupil to review the book in the bag. Once the pupil returns the book bag have them share their review and activity that they completed at home.
8. 8.Provide a Book Buddy – a great way to motivate young readers is to pair them up with a “book buddy” from a different grade. Have pupils take turns reading aloud to one another.
9. 9.Dress it Up – During book week, take a vote to see what which children’s book is the class favourite. Then choose a day for the pupils to dress up like their favourite character in the book they choose. In addition, the pupils can put on a play and act out the story, walk through the lunch room to show off their costumes or make a special appearance in the library.
10. 10. Book Bingo – Motivate pupils to read a variety of books by playing “Book Bingo”. Give each pupil a blank bingo board and have them fill in the squares with some of the suggested phrases:

Have the pupils write a brief description of the plot, main characters, and what he/she thought of the book. Then have the pupils share his/her review with their classmates.

• I read a mystery book
• I read a funny book
• I read a biography
• I read an animal story
• I read a book about friendship

Pupils can also fill in the blanks with “I read a book by….”, or “I read a book about…..” . Once they have their bingo board labelled, explain to them that in order to cross off a square, they must have met the reading challenge that   was written (Have pupils write the title and author of each book they read on the back of the board). Once the pupil gets bingo, reward them with a classroom privilege or a new book.

By: Charito R. Malibiran, Teacher II – Salian Elementary School