Encouraging Secondary Students to Read

As a secondary educator, I’ve traditionally leaned on my elementary counterparts to teach reading skills to students because I always thought that learning how to read is a skill acquired in the early school years. I’ve never viewed my role as one centered on teaching reading, and honestly, I lack the expertise to effectively instruct students in this fundamental skill.

However, more and more, I’ve seen students emerge in my secondary classroom who are reading below grade level, sometimes many grades below their current grade. This has posed a challenge because I’m expected to assist them in mastering the curriculum skills for their current grade, yet their reading proficiency doesn’t align with the expectations for that grade level.

Amid the decline in reading scores observed in Canada and the United States, and with Ontario officially recognizing reading as a human right, it’s imperative for secondary teachers to foster environments where all students can actively participate in reading, regardless of their current proficiency level. This necessitates the creation of inclusive opportunities that cater to students reading below their grade level, ensuring equitable access to literacy resources and support.