If you want to build a true reading culture in your school, you need homeroom teachers on board. Librarians may be the ultimate book experts, but homeroom teachers guide students through every school day.
We recently hosted a webinar packed with tips on empowering homeroom teachers to become reading champions. The expert panel featured Jessica Juarez, district librarian of Robstown ISD (TX), and Holly Frilot, library media education supervisor at Cobb County School District (GA), with years of experience in education, literacy, and motivating students to read. They’ve seen firsthand what works (and what flops) when it comes to getting teachers excited about reading initiatives. Their advice? Make reading visible, tie it to the curriculum, and keep it fun and manageable for teachers.
With that in mind, let’s dive into some of the top strategies from the webinar on how to turn your homeroom teachers into enthusiastic reading leaders.
1. Make Reading Visible with Classroom Displays
You know the saying: “Out of sight, out of mind.” If reading goals and progress aren’t visible, they won’t stay top of mind for students (or teachers). The best way to combat this? Big, bold, can’t-miss-it classroom displays.
Try Mystery Reveal Posters
Nothing gets kids more excited than a good mystery. Set up a poster with a hidden prize—like extra recess, a popcorn party, or even a chance to throw a pie at the principal (just an idea, don’t quote us). As students log more reading, they reveal pieces of the prize. The anticipation alone will keep them motivated!
Book Emoji Boards
Want to know how kids feel about the books they’re reading? Let them tell you through emojis. Create a class reading board where students place book covers or write what they read under emojis representing their reactions. Love it? Big smiley face. Meh? Neutral face. Couldn’t put it down? Fire emoji. It’s a fun, low-pressure way for students to engage with books and encourage conversation.
2. Align Reading Challenges with the Curriculum
Teachers are already busy, so adding something extra to their plate can be a tough sell. The trick? Make reading challenges fit with what they’re already teaching.
Connect Reading to Subject Areas
Instead of presenting reading as “one more thing,” show teachers how it can enhance their existing lessons. A science teacher covering climate change? Suggest books about environmental heroes. A history teacher tackling the Civil Rights Movement? Offer a reading challenge featuring books on key historical figures.
Provide Ready-to-Use Resources
Don’t just tell teachers to incorporate reading. Hand them a ready-made challenge that aligns with their subject. A simple, “Hey, here’s a reading challenge that fits your curriculum and takes zero extra effort from you,” goes a long way.
3. Offer Meaningful Rewards for Students and Teachers
Yes, we all want students to read for the sheer joy of it, but let’s be real: a little incentive never hurts.
Beanstack Bucks Store
Create a system where students earn “money” for reading and trade it in for rewards—bookmarks, extra time in the art room, or even “teacher for a day” privileges. Letting students choose their rewards gives them additional motivation to participate.
Teacher Incentives
Teachers deserve rewards, too! Consider offering:
- Extra planning time
- Jeans days
- A traveling trophy for the class with the highest participation
Make sure the incentives are meaningful—teachers love appreciation, but a break from lunch duty? That’s gold.
4. Build Teacher Buy-In with School-Wide Challenges
A little friendly competition goes a long way. Encouraging teachers to participate in reading challenges can boost excitement and engagement across the school.
Teacher-Only Reading Challenges
Kick off the school year with a staff reading challenge before introducing one to students. When teachers buy in, students follow suit. Plus, it’s a great way to remind educators that reading is for everyone.
Teacher vs. Student Competitions
Who can read for more minutes, the students or the teachers? Nothing fuels student motivation quite like the chance to beat their teachers.
5. Keep Communication Simple and Actionable
Teachers get bombarded with emails, reminders, and memos daily. To keep reading engagement top of mind, make communication simple, clear, and easy to act on.
Tip of the Week
Send out one small, actionable idea each week. Example: “This week, try a 5-minute book talk at the start of homeroom.” Keep it brief and practical so teachers don’t feel overwhelmed.
Highlight Success Stories
Feature teachers who are seeing great results with reading engagement. A quick shout-out in the school newsletter or at a staff meeting can inspire others to get on board.
6. Reinforce Reading Culture Across the School
If reading is only discussed in English class, it won’t feel like a school-wide priority. Involve everyone to create a true reading culture.
Morning Announcements & Hallway Posters
Announce reading milestones and upcoming challenges on the morning announcements. Post progress in the hallways where students see it daily.
All Staff Participation
Reading culture isn’t just for teachers—get the entire staff involved! Cafeteria workers, custodians, and office staff can participate in challenges or share their own reading recommendations. The more students see reading modeled by adults, the more they’ll internalize its importance.
7. Meet Teachers Where They Are
Some teachers will be all-in on reading challenges; others might need more convincing. The key is to provide support without pressure.
Make Logging Easy
Give teachers a quick step-by-step guide on how to log reading minutes and show them how to incorporate it into their daily routine.
Emphasize Flexibility
Teachers don’t have to reinvent the wheel. Let them know that all reading counts—whether it’s independent reading, audiobooks, or class read-alouds. The goal is engagement, not perfection.
A Team Effort for a Reading Culture
Creating a school-wide reading culture isn’t just the librarian's or ELA teachers' job—it takes a whole team effort. By making reading challenges fun, visible, and easy to integrate into classroom routines, homeroom teachers can become some of your school's most powerful reading champions.
Try these strategies in your school and see how they transform reading engagement. Do you have a great idea that works for your teachers? Tag us on social media @zoobeanreads or #Beanstack.