We’ve all heard the phrase, “Actions speak louder than words.” When it comes to reading, it couldn’t be more true. Students are far more likely to pick up a book when they see the adults around them reading, too.
Teachers are juggling lesson plans, grading, parent communication, and meetings—but modeling reading doesn’t have to feel like “one more thing.” With Beanstack, logging and sharing your reading with students is simple, visible, and rewarding. By showing students that adults enjoy reading too, teachers set a foundation for a lifelong love of books.
Promoting a Shared Reading Culture Between Staff and Students
When students and teachers read together, it sends a powerful message: reading is for everyone. A shared reading culture helps normalize the idea that books aren’t just homework but a source of enjoyment, exploration, and community connection.
With Beanstack, this idea becomes tangible. Teachers and students log their reading on the same platform, celebrate milestones, and track progress toward shared goals. The Friends feature adds another layer of connection: students and teachers can see each other’s reading logs, badges, and streaks, which fosters friendly competition and sparks inspiration. Teachers can also use Beanstack's Daily Reading Tracker to monitor individual and class-wide reading habits, celebrate milestones, and identify opportunities for recognition or intervention.
Even small actions—logging reading, tracking minutes, and adding friends—can make reading more engaging for the entire school.
Tips for librarians to make it visible:
To truly model reading, visibility is key. Librarians can help by:
- Showcasing reading totals: Create bulletin boards or digital leaderboards displaying staff and student reading progress.
- Highlighting staff picks: Share what teachers are reading in newsletters, morning announcements, or social media.
- Celebrating milestones: Organize events like “Reading Spirit Days” or group read-ins that include staff and students.
These strategies make reading an interactive, communal experience rather than a solo activity.
Building Community and Friendly Competition
Launching staff-focused reading activities is a powerful way to build camaraderie, spark joy, and show students that reading is for everyone. When teachers and staff read alongside one another—and track their progress in the same challenge—it fosters connection and reinforces a school-wide culture of reading.
Book Clubs + Challenges
Pairing a staff book club with a reading challenge makes reading both social and motivating. Whether gathering over coffee to discuss a shared pick or swapping recommendations in the hallways, a book club will remind everyone that reading is fun and meant to be enjoyed together.
Here are a few themed ideas to try:
- Mystery Month: Everyone reads a different whodunit, then shares favorite twists at a reveal party.
- Throwback Reads: Staff revisit childhood favorites or YA classics, sparking nostalgia and modeling lifelong reading.
- Around the World: Explore books set in different countries or by international authors, “traveling” through stories as part of the challenge.
- Page to Screen: Read a book with a movie adaptation, then host a watch party for a fun wrap-up.
Leaderboards + Showdowns
A little friendly competition can go a long way in boosting engagement. Staff-only leaderboards let teachers cheer each other on, while a “Staff vs. Students Showdown” or “Beat the Teacher” challenge brings the whole school together in a spirited challenge to see who can log the most reading time. Celebrating the results with an assembly or fun reward keeps the energy high and gets everyone excited for the next challenge.
Need a little reward inspo? Check out these ideas for teachers and low-cost ideas for students.
The Impact of Seeing Adults Engaged in Reading
When students witness teachers reading—whether in person, on a leaderboard, or hearing about it through morning announcements—they start to see reading as a normal and enjoyable part of life. This visibility:
- Normalizes reading as a lifelong habit
- Builds trust that reading challenges are meant for everyone
- Sparks organic conversations about books in hallways, cafeterias, and classrooms
Highlight staff engagement publicly: feature door signs with “What I’m Reading,” spotlight staff picks in the library, or share milestones on social media or during assemblies. These small but visible celebrations send a powerful message that reading is valued across the entire school community.
5th grade vs. 6th grade, teachers vs. students, or even classroom vs. classroom. You don’t need big prizes, bragging rights, hallway posters, or a coffee cart visit go a long way.
Most importantly, take on the heavy lift yourself. If you can provide teachers with a pre-written email to send to parents or a classroom poster with a QR code to log reading, they’re far more likely to engage.
Students Imitate What They See
A strong reading culture grows from action, not just book lists. When students see teachers logging, celebrating, and discussing books, they’re more likely to pick up a book themselves.
Start small: partner with a few enthusiastic teachers, use Beanstack’s Friends feature to make reading social, track daily reading goals, and watch excitement spread. Over time, these simple steps build a visible, inclusive reading culture that inspires students to become confident, lifelong readers.
Ready to take the next step?
If you’re already part of the Beanstack community, check out our recent Beanstack EDU session for more strategies and hands-on training. Not a client yet? Our team would love to connect! Reach out today to learn how Beanstack can bring excitement and community around reading to your school.