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How to Turn Elementary Students Into Lifelong Readers

From book buddies to series reads, these 4 strategies help teachers build lasting reading habits from everyday classroom moments.

July 9, 2025

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Reading is not only a valuable classroom skill; it’s also one of the great joys of life. But a love of reading does not always come naturally to elementary students. These four strategies help young readers start building a habit of reading—and sustain their excitement in the world of books.

Access and consistency are fundamental to growing a great reader. Not only is it important that students have frequent access to books in the classroom or school library; it’s crucial that they’re books that kids want to read. This means having a variety of genres that allow students to expand their taste and begin to understand what types of stories they’re drawn to. Implementing reading time on a daily basis, rather than only when the rest of the classwork has been completed, means that students are able to make a habit of reading and come to see it as a relaxing, engaging part of their day.

Building social interaction into the reading experience ensures that students are thinking about their book even when it’s closed. Mini-book clubs and book buddies are great ways for students to swap stories and discuss what they’ve read, compounding the enjoyment of reading time. There’s a reason why book clubs are more popular than ever.

One easy addition to the classroom or school library is book series. With characters and narratives stretched across multiple volumes, series are a surefire way to keep students turning pages. They’re also wonderful anchors for mini-book club discussions if groups of students (or the whole class!) have gotten hooked on a series. Series also make for great writing prompts. After spending hours with characters from a book series, students will be thrilled to dream up their own scenarios to write as creative short stories or poems. 

When students have time, choice, and a reason to share what they’re reading, they begin to see books not as assignments, but as opportunities.

For more ideas on how to build great readers in the classroom, try Adam Myman’s Edutopia article “Cultivating a Habit of Reading in Elementary School.”

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Filed Under

  • Literacy
  • Interest-Based Learning
  • English Language Arts
  • 3-5 Upper Elementary

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