Teachers have a great opportunity to influence, motivate and inspire pupils' love of reading. The National Literacy Trust research found that 52.9% of children and young people who had a role model agreed that seeing them read would make them think it is okay to read. Here are some ideas of how you can be a Reading Role Model.
Make Your Reading Visible
Bring into school some of your favourite books for the age group that you teach. Consider reading aloud a book that you really enjoy as part of a whole school assembly. You could even have a shelf dedicated to your favourite books in your classroom or school library.
If you have time, allow pupils to catch you reading outside the classroom, maybe on the playground or at the start of assemblies for example. You will be surprised how many children will come over and ask you about what you are reading.
Model Booktalk
Allow children to overhear you talking with colleagues about books. It might be what you are currently enjoying and why or different types of books or texts that you have read recently. You might find that children want to get involved in these discussions.
Encourage all children to see themselves as readers
Think of ways that you can encourage all children to see themselves as readers. From encouraging all forms of reading to encouraging pupils to read to and with others.
Reframe Reading as a Social Activity
When some children think of reading, they might see it as a solitary activity. Instead encourage shared and social reading, where they can sit somewhere comfortable and discuss the books they are reading.
Encourage Parental Participation
Consider inviting parents to drop in sessions to chat about reading. It could be somewhere where you offer biscuits and books or even just where you share some research about the impact of reading.
Final Thoughts
There are lots of ways you can be a Reading Role Model to children. One of the key ways is to show them that you are a reader and are passionate about reading. Also, finding ways so that each child sees themselves as a reader, whether that be through diverse reading materials or giving them enjoyable reading responsibilities.
If you enjoyed this article, take a look at our article about Reading Ambassadors.