You’re not alone if you’ve ever tried to implement SSR
and felt like it wasn’t quite working. I’ve been there too. The good news?
These problems are common, and there are realistic, manageable solutions. In this post, I’ll walk you through practical
strategies to address the most common challenges of SSR so that it can become a
meaningful part of your classroom routine.
Challenge #1: Accountability
One of the biggest obstacles with SSR is figuring out how to keep students
accountable without turning reading time into busywork or making more work for
yourself. This hits on something so many of us feel: the struggle to find the
balance between structure and freedom. When there’s no clear structure, some
students zone out or fake it. But overloading them with reading logs or quizzes
can crush the enjoyment.
Try these Solutions
- Start with purpose. Make time to explain why reading matters and let students choose books they care about.
- Use quick, creative exit tickets (like choosing a quote, summarizing in 3 words, or matching a song to the mood).
- Offer optional book talks with incentives. I let students earn free test question points for sharing a book they enjoyed.
- Keep it light but consistent. Use occasional journal prompts to check in. Try questions like these:
o
What surprised you in today’s reading?
o
What is a choice a character made, and how would you have handled
it?
o
What’s one line or moment that stood out to you? Why?
o
How does this book connect to something in real life?
o If you could step into the story right now, what would you do?
Challenge #2: Forgotten Books
It’s a common and frustrating issue: SSR time starts, and a handful of
students don’t have a book. Whether they forgot it, lost it, or never had one
to begin with, these moments can stall your routine and create bad habits.
One thing I add to my students’ list of daily in-class supplies is that they
must have a book with them at all times. This
expectation is clearly communicated at the beginning of the year and revisited
regularly. It helps to set a consistent tone that reading is a priority just
like bringing their Chromebook or a pencil and paper. When students know it’s non-negotiable, this
will help to curb most of the “I forgot my book” issues.
Of course, even with clear expectations, there will still be days when
students come unprepared.
Try these Solutions:
- Keep a well-stocked classroom library. Even just 20–30 high-interest titles go a long way. You don’t need to spend a fortune! Instead, ask
for donations, check thrift stores, or earn free books through Scholastic’s Book Club. I LOVE Scholastic Book Club and place an
order at the beginning of each quarter. Pro
Tip: I offer a Free Test Question as an incentive for students to
order. Other coupon ideas: homework pass,
project extension, general extra credit points, etc.
- Think beyond traditional books. Allow students to bring magazines, graphic novels, or comic books. If possible, develop your own classroom stash. Years ago, I subscribed to Reader’s Digest and had probably 25+ copies that I brought to school. Yes, they are "dated," but the articles are still engaging and interesting, so even if students have a book, some will ask if they can read one of those instead. I’m all about whatever will keep them engaged and excited to read, so the answer is absolutely, yes!
- Allow students to read digital books on devices (with clear boundaries). While this isn’t an option in my own classroom, I know it may be the most practical solution for others, especially in tech-friendly schools or classrooms without a physical library. Just be sure to set clear expectations to avoid distractions.
- Build the habit by reminding students the day before if SSR is not a daily activity (mine is once per week). I include a quick reminder on the daily agenda the day before (even though they should have a book daily), so there are no excuses!
- Create a “Plan B” system. Have a few short stories, news articles, or excerpts ready to go. You want these to be something engaging but low-pressure. I recommend pulling from sites like CommonLit, Newsela, or TweenTribune, to name a few.
Challenge #3: Fake Reading
Even though I’d love to believe all of my students are reading
during SSR time, I’m realistic and know some are “faking it.” While we can’t eliminate fake
reading completely, we can reduce it by creating a classroom environment where
SSR feels meaningful and worth the effort so that students genuinely WANT to
engage in it.
Try these Solutions
- Read with them. I know it’s so tempting to use SSR time to catch up on the million things on your to-do list, BUT when students see you reading too, it sends a clear message: this time matters. Just think of it this way: you are getting paid to read!!
- Start small. Ease into SSR with just a few minutes when you first start your SSR program. Then, build reading stamina over time. Shorter sessions reduce the temptation to zone out. Some classes may do better with short, frequent reading sessions, while others might handle a longer block once or twice a week. The key is consistency and gradual growth.
- Use meaningful check-ins. As mentioned in Challenge #1 above, brief prompts or reflections help students engage more deeply. And yes, sometimes these need to be graded to get full participation. If so, keep the points minimal but consistent to maintain value without adding pressure.
- Help them find books they love. One of the biggest reasons students fake read is because they don’t connect with what they’re reading or don’t know how to find something they’ll actually enjoy. Let students explore their reading interests in fun, low-pressure ways so they can figure out what types of stories, genres, or topics grab their attention. readers.
- Make it personal. Take time to talk with students about what they’re reading. These conversations can happen one-on-one at the start or end of class, or even during independent work time. Ask simple but effective questions like the following:
o
What’s going on in your book right now?
o
Would you recommend it?
o
What surprised you?
Final
Thoughts
SSR can be one of the most rewarding routines in your classroom. The best
thing? It grows WITH your students. The
goal isn’t to force quiet reading time, but to slowly shift SSR from something
students tolerate to something they genuinely value. That takes time, trust,
and a little flexibility. Just remember
that progress often comes from small, consistent tweaks and not major
overhauls. Just stick with it, and it’ll be worth it.
Have you faced any of these issues in your classroom? Or do you have a go-to
strategy that helps students engage meaningfully with their reading? I’d love
to hear from you! Share your thoughts in the comments so we can keep learning
from one another.
* * * * * * *
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