Lots of things hook kids on reading: contests, book clubs, time for free reading—even loaner books from their favorite school staff. Share your ideas about how to encourage reading.

I teach grade 6 reading. I save the Sunday funnies, and usually buy two or more Sunday papers each week. I use these to teach how characters change, perspective, and predicting. After we have done this a few times, I then have the students use the strategy of visualizing part of a story they have read. They can either draw a one panel picture of a descriptive paragraph, or put part of the story in a three or four panel comic. This really helps my ESL learners.
Sandy Wohlert, Alief AFT, TX

Most children learn from watching what adults do. If we as adults are readers and our children see how much we enjoy reading they too will read.When my grandson was old enough to sit in my lap I read to him. When he started walking and talking he would bring me a book and say "Mawmaw read to me". Now he is 11 he loves to read, even the newspaper.
Marie Patecek, Jefferson Federation of Teachers, LA

Our school library subscribes to several children's magazines and our students love to read them. Even though our libraries have suffered a major budget shortage in recent years, I feel that the money is well spent. Magazines have current, interesting articles and of course, lots of great photos and color illustrations—they're visually appealing and the content is age-appropriate.
Deborah Hamerly, Education Austin, TX

Don't "encourage" reading—require it! Especially in schools! And lots of it! This one requirement would help American students more than all the "requirements" of NCLB. Only by reading does one become truly educated.
Patricia Gallagher , AFT-West Virginia

When I worked in an elementary school library, the librarian would allow those children who wanted books over summer break to check out a summer's supply of books when school ended in June. We had a huge success rate. The summer take-home-book program was a particular favorite, especially with those children less fortunate.
Lizbeth Lee, Oregon School Employees Association

The most important way to encourage reading is to read to the kids. Read to all age levels from interesting books. Then, and this is vital, don't test them on what was read. Share ideas, discuss what you think, but don't put it in the form of a test or worksheet. Would you want to be tested on everything you read?
Kathi Byrd, Texas AFT/PEG

One of the best ways to encourage children to read is by using closed captioning on TV. The more they are exposed to it, the better they will learn to read.
Frederick Jones, Sr, Cook County College Teachers Union, IL

Teach them the art of abandoning a book that isn't working for them. Most nonreaders feel as though they have to finish a book even if they don't like it.
Amy Cull, Southwest Suburban Federation of Teachers, IL

If you find out children's interests, they will read. I had a set of twins in my room who created terror. I found out that they loved nature. I found books at the dollar store. As long as they wrote a summary of the book, they could take it home to share with the rest of the family of five children. Their reading scores were above level by the end of the year and their science scores were fantastic.
Joann Owens, Chicago Teachers Union, IL

Organize an authors' symposium. A conference for children, where they can sit with authors, learn about their inspirations, struggles and dreams.
Orpha Lopez, Hillsboro Classroom Teachers Association, FL