Creating a Reading Culture (Even When You’re Low on Time and Funds)

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Originally published in TEACH Magazine, November/December 2018 Issue

“Why read when you can watch the movie?”

“I’m just not a reader.”

“Reading’s boring.”

In my eight years as an educator, no other sentiments have been quite so crushing to hear from children. I’ve found that many students have a bleak attitude towards reading: reading is too dull, too difficult, or something to get through (or cheat through) in order to get a good grade. As a classroom teacher, I wanted my students to feel the same enthusiasm and excitement towards reading that I feel, but also found myself trying to navigate a packed curriculum, a shrinking budget, and other significant demands on instructional time.

When I made the transition from high school English teacher to middle school media specialist last year, I found myself presented with the thrilling opportunity to focus my energy on promoting a positive reading culture in my new school. We know our students need to read to improve their brain power, build empathy, and enrich their lives, but how do we accomplish that while fighting a tide of negativity, a limited budget, and a full curriculum? Here are a few small practices that can make a tremendous impact.

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Paige Classey Przybylski is a media specialist at Walter C. Polson Middle School in Madison, CT. She has a BA in English and an MA in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Connecticut.

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Paige Classey Przybylski
Paige Classey Przybylski
Paige Classey Przybylski is a media specialist at Walter C. Polson Middle School in Madison, CT. She has a BA in English and an MA in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Connecticut.

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