With the world getting more digitalized and modern day by day, a decline in the book reading culture among young boys and girls is seen to take place slowly. This is because of the numerous online video games and social networking sites coming that is now taking up the free time of the young boys and girls and hence, pushing away this amazing hobby that is so much beneficial to the students. To start this hobby and make it popular again, we need to look back and discuss once again what book reading culture is.

So what do we actually mean by a reading culture?

If we need the answer to be short and direct, reading culture is an environment the practice of reading is valued and very actively encouraged. This is a well known and widely accepted fact that those students who have the habit of reading for their pleasure performs really better in school. This is not just a mere assumption but is borne out by several research by scholars which have proved that the practise of reading your one's own pleasure makes a vast difference to educational and literacy achievements of a student. Not only confined to this, reading also develops new perspectives and ideas on the minds of young people and helps them make effective connections across the curriculum. Moreover, a study of 17000 people has also showed that reading for pleasure improves the ability of solving mathematics as well as literacy. Isn't it a great thing?

So how can we encourage students to read independently?

To encourage the students to develop the reading culture starts from an action that is started in the school itself. Listing down ten ideas and suggestions to start a strong reading culture among school students. These can be implemented as soon as possible and with little efforts from our ends.

1. Introducing a buddy read time among a group of students

A buddy reading session is one of the best ideas that will help students read more and get excited about. These kind of session can be hold for some extra time where a group of students can read one book every week where they can sit together and then discuss about the things they liked or disliked so far about the book, things they learnt from it and many more things about the book. The buddy reading sessions are not compulsory tasks and students are not tested by it. But it can be encouraged and help students enjoy the whole process. If the students are seen to be actively taking part in the buddy reading sessions, perhaps more and more students can keep joining the sessions in the long run.

2. Be a Role Model Reader in your school

This can be a student or even a teacher who can act as a role model for all the students in the school. Apart from what the students learn and get from their parents, you'll be the one they follow and look upto. This means that you can be that person who sets a powerful example when it's about reading amazing things for your fun. As a teacher you can take a time every week and talk to the students about what you are reading and what it is about. You can also tell them how reading is an extremely fun hobby by giving examples of your own experiences. Create a list of books and put it on your classroom wall so that the students develop a curiosity to read them. Sharing pictures of your collection of books or home library will also attract them.

3. Explore books of different subjects

Try to read books from different subjects and on different topics. By pairing different subjects with themes of relevance, the reading culture will flourish across a number of students in the school. For example, if your subject is History, students could read The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas. If the subject is science, students can read The Theory of Everything. Reading doesn’t have to be confined to English class alone and can be of different themes and subject matter.

4. Explore different genres 

When you read from multiple genres, it offers a multitude of entry points in you developing the habit of reading for your pleasure. Graphic novels can be a great start to develop the reading habit in you. The attractive illustrations and short texts in the pages will make you not feel bored and keep the curiosity level high to know what is next. If you are someone who loves to know about great personalities, try reading biographies and memoirs. Essays, articles and different types of blogs also helps in developing reading culture. You can also set goals for yourself to read at least 3 to 5 genres in a month and then share your thoughts and experience with your mates from buddy reading session. Or you can also put it down in your reading journal.

5. Create a classroom library

You can always set up an informal classroom library in addition to the library you have in your school that students from the class can borrow books to read from and share with each other. Group the books depending on different themes so that it becomes easy for the students in the class to pick books as per their interest levels. If you do not have a lot of books or a good collection, then it's time that you start collecting them. Rather than spending your pocket money on unnecessary things, try to save them and buy books that you want to read. This will give you whole new experience and help you make a great collection that you'll be proud of. Sometimes some books can be really expensive, make sure you have the contact details of second hand book sellers from whom you can get the same book for lesser price.

6. Setting up reading nooks in the school

Encouraging students to read more is one thing, and providing them with books is another. But to provide them with a space to read it what will make all the difference. Look for a good reading spot in your school by seeking permission from the authority. Students can also create a reading nook in their classroom with posters and quotes decorated. Encourage your students to use the space for their own reading.

7. Engage with authors 

Hold special buddy reading session where you invite an author into your school and share a session in their presence. This will be an exciting experience for both teachers and students. When students will see an author talking about books and his or her experience, students will get motivated to practice something similar. This can be a chance for the students to hear about the creative process, which in turn encourages them not only to read more but also to write more. If finding a local author to speak gets challenging, find a talk or a lecture by a writer online to show your students in a big screen.

8. Reading Tasks with Prizes

If you add a competitive edge to the reading culture, students will get more encouraged. For example, if the students successfully reads five books in a month, appreciate them with a small prize to motivate them which can be a nice book or a set of bookmarks. Include books from different genres that can make the challenge more accessible for the whole class.

9. Keep Book Themed days

Make everyday as book themed days among your book readers group. The themes can also be based on characters. Celebrate these days in small ways by discussing about things you love about that character. This can make them feel like they’re part of a reading community.

10. Ask students to recommend books to each other

Encourage the students in your school and classroom by asking them to write the name of their loved books and an one line review on the book recommendations board in the library. This will develop the reading habit as well as encourage your students not just to read, but also to talk about reading to one another.