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Back-to-school reading tips from a 4th grade teacher [Classroom Book Talk Ep. 5]
The first few weeks of school set the tone for the entire year, especially when it comes to building a love of reading.In the latest episode of Classroom Book Talk with Sora, we talked with 4th grade teacher and content creator Taylor Mora (@tayloroftheclassroom) to talk about simple, practical ways educators can help students become confident, engaged readers from day one of back to school! From building classroom libraries to motivating reluctant readers, Taylor shared ideas teachers can start using right away.
Start with students' interests
One of Taylor's favorite first-week activities is a reading interest survey. Instead of asking students what they've read, she learns about their hobbies, favorite TV shows, sports, and interests to recommend books they'll actually enjoy.Make reading part of every day
Taylor's biggest piece of advice is simple: build reading into the daily routine from the very beginning of the school year.
Even 10 minutes of independent reading each day helps students build reading stamina and develop positive reading habits.Help students discover books
Sometimes students don't know what they want to read until it's right in front of them.Taylor recommends hosting a book tasting, where students rotate through tables of books to explore different genres and discover new favorites. She also suggests:- Displaying books face out whenever possible.
- Creating themed book displays.
- Building a student recommendation wall.
- Sharing short book trailers to spark interest.
Create spaces students want to read
A cozy reading corner can make a big difference.Taylor shared that comfortable seating, inviting books, and calming lighting encouraged even reluctant readers to spend more time reading. Creating welcoming spaces reminds students that reading is something to enjoy.
Make reading interactive
Reading doesn't end when students finish a book. Taylor encourages activities like renaming a book, giving advice to a character, designing character-inspired water bottle stickers, or discussing books with classmates. These creative activities help students connect more deeply with what they're reading.Educators using Sora can also enhance reading with TeachingBooks resources, including book trailers, author interviews, pronunciation guides, and classroom activities.For more tips and classroom library book recommendations...
Watch the full episode of Classroom Book Talk with Sora to hear Taylor share her favorite classroom reading activities, management tips, book recommendations, and strategies for helping every student discover the joy of reading.
Published Aug 05, 2026
