I offer a lot of choice in what students can read, based around a theme, or genre. I use a variety of mentor texts, from short stories to novels to practice a skill as a class before students go off and practice the same reading strategies in their own books.

Students read in groups to explore & discuss common social issues they identify in their novels. They further their thinking about these social issues in the real world with paired nonfiction texts.

My students read up a storm throughout each year in books of their own choosing, within a genre or topics we are studying. They set goals for their reading work based on reading strategies we go over in class or in leveled groups.

A fun way my students showcased all that they read throughout the year. Many ended the year surprised that they read so much!