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Reading Reasons: Motivational Mini-Lessons for Middle and High School
"Why should I read?" Can your students answer that question? Do they have trouble seeing the importance that reading may have in their lives? Are they lacking motivation, both in academic and recreational reading? Do you think you can effectively teach reading strategies if students don't understand the benefits of literacy?
In Reading Reasons, Kelly Gallagher offers a series of mini-lessons specifically tailored to motivate middle and high school students to read, and in doing so, to help them understand the importance and relevance reading will take in their lives. This book introduces and explains in detail nine specific "real-world" reasons why students should be readers.
The book contains forty practical, classroom-tested and reproducible mini-lessons that get to the heart of reading motivation and that can be used immediately in English (as well as other content-area) classrooms. These easy-to-use motivational lessons serve as weekly reading "boostershots" that help maintain reading enthusiasm in your classroom from September through June. The mini-lessons, ranging from five to twenty minutes in length, hit home with adolescents, and in turn, enable them to internalize the importance reading will play in their lives. Rather than telling students reading is good for them, the lessons in this book show them the benefits of reading.
254 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2003
33 people are currently reading
679 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews
March 2, 2016
Kelly Gallagher doesn't know it yet, but he's my boyfriend... Ha ha ha.
He's amazed me now with three books. Write Like This, Read-I-Cide, and now Reading Reasons.
He makes very valid points about how reading is beneficial to reluctant readers. He brings in 40 mini lessons to help validate these points, making reading a skill that will hopefully become something enjoyable and useful for students again.
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July 10, 2023This book was probably awesome when it was published in 2003, but 20 years (and LOADS of changes) later, and it’s too out-of-date for my seventh graders today.
June 12, 2017
As a High School English teacher who is constantly struggling to encourage my students to read, this book has helped me re-frame the way I want to talk about reading with my students. It is practical and user friendly, and, most importantly, serves as a reminder that when humans don't feel personally connected to something, we aren't motivated to engage with it. Reading is the same. The only reason I didn't give it a 5 star rating is because many of the lesson examples are dated. The book also takes some of the romance out of reading, focusing on the practical applications over the joys; however, as Gallagher points out, many of the practical reading reasons have already been internalized by enthusiastic readers but need to be explored with reluctant or struggling readers. A solid 4.5 and definitely worth reading if you're an educator or parent who wants to shift the way your students see reading.
October 17, 2015
Though there is nothing earth-shattering about this book, I really like that Gallagher condenses the reading reasons into 9 (then, 10) broad reasons. The mini lessons are definitely helpful as a jumping-off point, though some of the charts or references (loved the "dimpled chads" shout-out) are dated at this point. I think an ideal practice might be the one that Gallagher engaged in, himself - empowering your students to create the broad "reading reasons" after helping them consider some specific reasons throughout the year. I would certainly be more invested in a list we had created together :). However, in the absence of having all the time in the world, this book does the trick! 3.5 stars!
July 19, 2020
Man, for how useful and relevant Teaching Adolescent Writers was, this book was it’s opposite. Many of the activities are obvious and lame, and the book seems to ignore the intersectionality in the lives of WHO our reluctant readers are and how they live. Disappointing.
July 11, 2015
I really love how Gallagher demonstrates the real world importance of reading to his students. The section of mini lessons are practical and engaging.
February 7, 2017
Absolutely magnificent! I love Kelly Gallagher!
July 14, 2019
So, this one leans more towards "it's okay" than "I liked it," but I'm still glad I read it. I like the idea of the book, even though I don't particularly agree with the author's ideas on teaching. It should be noted that this book is a little dated at this point, and the educational zeitgeist has changed quite a bit since it was written. However, I think the central idea is still relevant today: students need to be made aware of the benefits to them of picking up a book.
Most of this book is actually a collection of lesson plans for getting students to understand the importance of reading. I'm not going to lie, I hated them. They felt like boring busy work that, despite the author's insistence, would not fit easily into any unit. My heart would darken just a little towards any teacher who asked me to do them. The real useful info is located in the chapters before and after the lessons, though even this is bogged down by anecdotes and extended metaphors that stretch on until the crack of doom. Honestly, this book could have easily been a pamphlet. I'm glad I got it out of the library instead of buying it.
As for how to use it without the mini-lessons, I've been looking for a good topic to introduce the Question Formulation Technique (Make Just One Change by Dan Rothstein and Luz Santana) and Spider Web Discussions (The Best Class You Never Taught by Alexis Wiggins). This might be a good way to kill three birds with one stone in that first week of class. Break them into groups, give each group a reason to serve as Question Focus, maybe give them a web quest afterword so they can do some guided research on the topic, then let them discuss their findings the next day.
All in all, I'm excited to try working with reading reasons, but with the notes I took on the book, I don't think I'll need to add it to my collection.
Most of this book is actually a collection of lesson plans for getting students to understand the importance of reading. I'm not going to lie, I hated them. They felt like boring busy work that, despite the author's insistence, would not fit easily into any unit. My heart would darken just a little towards any teacher who asked me to do them. The real useful info is located in the chapters before and after the lessons, though even this is bogged down by anecdotes and extended metaphors that stretch on until the crack of doom. Honestly, this book could have easily been a pamphlet. I'm glad I got it out of the library instead of buying it.
As for how to use it without the mini-lessons, I've been looking for a good topic to introduce the Question Formulation Technique (Make Just One Change by Dan Rothstein and Luz Santana) and Spider Web Discussions (The Best Class You Never Taught by Alexis Wiggins). This might be a good way to kill three birds with one stone in that first week of class. Break them into groups, give each group a reason to serve as Question Focus, maybe give them a web quest afterword so they can do some guided research on the topic, then let them discuss their findings the next day.
All in all, I'm excited to try working with reading reasons, but with the notes I took on the book, I don't think I'll need to add it to my collection.
July 16, 2018
Actual rating: 3.5
I've said it once and I'll say it again: Kelly Gallagher is my teacher hero.
In this book, he offers 40 mini lessons along with guidance for building a successful reading program. A lot of this was a review of his other books, hence the low-ish rating.
As for the mini lessons, I'm excited to use many of them in my own middle school classes, but some of them, quite a few actually, are ones that I won't be using. Some have outdated statistics and I'm just not going to research updated information. But most of the ones I won't use have a disconnect between the lesson and what it means for students' reading. For high schoolers, they might be able to make those connections, but my middle schoolers will struggle. I just wanted many of the lessons to pack more of a punch, you know?
That said, I've tabbed the heck out of this book and made notes about which of his bulletin board ideas I want to use, and I'm excited to use this resource soon.
I've said it once and I'll say it again: Kelly Gallagher is my teacher hero.
In this book, he offers 40 mini lessons along with guidance for building a successful reading program. A lot of this was a review of his other books, hence the low-ish rating.
As for the mini lessons, I'm excited to use many of them in my own middle school classes, but some of them, quite a few actually, are ones that I won't be using. Some have outdated statistics and I'm just not going to research updated information. But most of the ones I won't use have a disconnect between the lesson and what it means for students' reading. For high schoolers, they might be able to make those connections, but my middle schoolers will struggle. I just wanted many of the lessons to pack more of a punch, you know?
That said, I've tabbed the heck out of this book and made notes about which of his bulletin board ideas I want to use, and I'm excited to use this resource soon.
August 29, 2017
This book is not as good as Readicide but a good articulation of Gallagher's bare bones, no-nonsense English teaching philosophy. After opening with 10 reading reasons, he offers mini-lessons to reinforce these to students throughout the year. Most all of them are crucially focused on real-world connections and reading, but Gallagher's emphasis on reading for information, to make a better educated citizenry, and to get ahead academically offers a way into pleasure reading which is much more satisfying than bellyaching about kids-these-days. Kelly Gallagher is also a good writer, whose brevity and wit makes this an enjoyable read alongside a professional one.
November 16, 2019
Even though I LOVE to read, I have always been stuck when students ask me “what’s the point?” in class. I personally connect to the joy of reading, the shared experience a book brings, and the quiet reflection that occurs when I‘m engrossed in a book— but for students, none of those sink in. This book gave me a platform to start developing solid and concrete reading reasons. Some of the data and statistics are now outdated, but other than that this book is GOLD if you want to stop telling students why reading is important and instead SHOW them.
March 27, 2018
If you're looking for a book that can help give you actual lessons that will help you share with your students WHY we read and why it is so incredibly important to our lives - look no further. These are practical, quick mini-lessons about everything from appreciating first lines of texts to how to read nutritional labels, all feeding together into 10 well-defined reasons why we read, that all high schoolers should understand before graduating.
January 28, 2019
I love Kelly Gallagher's books. They have been my go-to source for ELA strategies. This book could easily keep you going through the year with step-by-step mini-lessons already prepared for you. I've used them as warm-ups and even as station work at one point. The students loved the Reading Minutes in ways that I never expected and even begged to go again.
Definitely a must-have for my classroom.
Definitely a must-have for my classroom.
July 5, 2017
Excellent lessons to incorporate WHY students should read. Teachers often tell students they need to read but can't answer the question why and then provide solid facts and proof as to why students need to read well and often. This book incorporates 40 lessons that can be used weekly to prompt students to read using real life scenarios. I can't wait to use this in my classroom this year.
May 4, 2020
This would have blown my mind when it came out, but now some of it is dated, and the best of it is no longer ground-breaking. Still worth skimming; Gallagher has always been a thoughtful and passionate teacher.
August 6, 2019
Good mini-lessons. Useful for motivating reading.
August 18, 2019
This book had some great strategies and mini lessons. However, some of the resources are out of date.
June 16, 2022
Great strategies and reasons to give students to get them reading.
June 29, 2013
I have not encountered a Kelly Gallagher book that I haven't enjoyed. The best part about all of his writing is its authenticity. Gallagher is not some administrator with six years of classroom experience acquired two decades ago, nor is he someone whose studied public school education at the university level; he is a real-life educator, in the trenches, current, not because of academic research but because of practical, hands-on experience. One of the major paradoxes of the education system is that the major decisions affecting educational practice and pedagogy are made by ignoring the people with the most valuable experience: the teachers and the students.
Gallagher's book, Reading Reasons, is just what the doctor ordered. It isn't laden with intellectual theories about zones of proximal development. It is tangible advice that's been tried, not merely a strategy that's been observed. The book offers forty mini-lessons that teachers can use to engage students in reading by helping them see reasons to read. While not all of the strategies will appeal to every educator, there are enough to choose from to create the climate of your choice. The mini-lessons range from brief activities (5-10 minutes) during a single class period or techniques that you could use daily, weekly, monthly, or quarterly depending on your preference.
The book also leaves room for expansion as Gallagher admits our reasons grow every day and vary from person to person. This is in no way a comprehensive list, nor does Gallagher claim that it is. What it is is a springboard for educators to begin inspiring reading in their students. Once the torch is lit, it will be up to the teacher and his or her students to develop more reasons and add to the list.
Gallagher's book, Reading Reasons, is just what the doctor ordered. It isn't laden with intellectual theories about zones of proximal development. It is tangible advice that's been tried, not merely a strategy that's been observed. The book offers forty mini-lessons that teachers can use to engage students in reading by helping them see reasons to read. While not all of the strategies will appeal to every educator, there are enough to choose from to create the climate of your choice. The mini-lessons range from brief activities (5-10 minutes) during a single class period or techniques that you could use daily, weekly, monthly, or quarterly depending on your preference.
The book also leaves room for expansion as Gallagher admits our reasons grow every day and vary from person to person. This is in no way a comprehensive list, nor does Gallagher claim that it is. What it is is a springboard for educators to begin inspiring reading in their students. Once the torch is lit, it will be up to the teacher and his or her students to develop more reasons and add to the list.
March 8, 2008
As much of my day is spent trying to entice reluctant readers to read, I found this an enjoyable read. Many kids do respond to books in a more positive way once they understand why reading is so important.
Here are Gallagher's nine reasons to read:
1) Reading is rewarding.
2) Reading builds a mature vocabulary.
3) Reading makes you a better writer.
4) Reading is hard, and "hard" is necessary.
5) Reading makes you smarter.
6) Reading prepares you for the world of work.
7) Reading well is financially rewarding.
8) Reading opens the door to college and beyond.
9) Reading arms you against oppression.
Oviously, this is a jumping-off point, and teachers and students should work together to expand or reorganize the list of reasons.
I liked the first two chapters best. Gallagher introduces and explains his reasons for reading. In the rest of the book, teachers can find mini-lessons to support each reading reason. The lessons are easily adaptable and very user-friendly.
Here are Gallagher's nine reasons to read:
1) Reading is rewarding.
2) Reading builds a mature vocabulary.
3) Reading makes you a better writer.
4) Reading is hard, and "hard" is necessary.
5) Reading makes you smarter.
6) Reading prepares you for the world of work.
7) Reading well is financially rewarding.
8) Reading opens the door to college and beyond.
9) Reading arms you against oppression.
Oviously, this is a jumping-off point, and teachers and students should work together to expand or reorganize the list of reasons.
I liked the first two chapters best. Gallagher introduces and explains his reasons for reading. In the rest of the book, teachers can find mini-lessons to support each reading reason. The lessons are easily adaptable and very user-friendly.
April 9, 2011
Kelly Gallagher's book is full of well-thought out reasons why reading is crucial, and mini-lessons to support them. While I don't think I'll be using all of the mini-lessons in my class, I sticky noted a ton of them! Gallagher's writing is easy-to-read and full of humor - I laughed out loud many times. Besides the mini-lessons, he offer a discussion of why reading is crucial, as well as information about his own classroom and teaching habits, and a helpful appendix of books you need to have in your classroom library, ways to promote books, sample forms, and more. This book isn't just for English Language Arts teachers - these mini-lessons are meant to be used across the content areas because promoting reading and literacy is the job of ALL teachers. There are mini-lessons that would be great for home-ec, econ, social studies content that also show students why literacy is critical.
July 16, 2015
I devoured this entire text today and I am beyond thrilled that I picked it up as a resource!! Kelly Gallagher is incredibly knowledgable and I was pleasantly surprised to see how many of his beliefs and teaching mantras aligned with mine. I was also thrilled that he recommended a few pieces that I was already implementing within my classroom. It validated for me that I was teaching to the "right track".
This resource offers authentic field information and advice, mini lessons to back up all of Gallagher's main points, printable pages for use or to recreate, and relevant lists to reference. From cover to cover, this book is worth the read and the extra time that you are going to spend continuously going back to it!
This resource offers authentic field information and advice, mini lessons to back up all of Gallagher's main points, printable pages for use or to recreate, and relevant lists to reference. From cover to cover, this book is worth the read and the extra time that you are going to spend continuously going back to it!
July 16, 2015
I devoured this entire text today and I am beyond thrilled that I picked it up as a resource!! Kelly Gallagher is incredibly knowledgable and I was pleasantly surprised to see how many of his beliefs and teaching mantras aligned with mine. I was also thrilled that he recommended a few pieces that I was already implementing within my classroom. It validated for me that I was teaching to the "right track".
This resource offers authentic field information and advice, mini lessons to back up all of Gallagher's main points, printable pages for use or to recreate, and relevant lists to reference. From cover to cover, this book is worth the read and the extra time that you are going to spend continuously going back to it!
This resource offers authentic field information and advice, mini lessons to back up all of Gallagher's main points, printable pages for use or to recreate, and relevant lists to reference. From cover to cover, this book is worth the read and the extra time that you are going to spend continuously going back to it!
July 30, 2008
I enjoyed this book for a variety of reasons: it addresses motivation through unique and practical ideas; it is a great read that pumps me up; and the Kelly Gallagher supports his points through research. Motivating students in a postive way is such a challenge for teachers - to the point that we often resort to rewards that extrinsically motivate. This author shares 9 reasons that it's important to be a reader with the expectation that motivation will grow instrinsically. He explictly shares these reasons that are relative to adolescent lives through engaging activities that have turned around reluctant scores of readers. As stated, Gallagher has done his homework. He makes valid points that are supported by recent research. It's a must read for educators!
July 6, 2010
I think Kelly Gallagher is great--but I've liked his other books a little bit better. Not because this one isn't good and practical, but maybe because it would be more practical if I still had public school students to teach. I think teachers in the classroom would REALLY like the book because, after two short chapters that set up the concepts and rationale for the book, the rest of the book is a series of mini-lessons to help students understand why they should read. And motivating students to read is crucial. So, I think I might have rated it higher if I could actually use the lessons. That said, the nine reasons are really good and should be something every teacher helps students consider--along with any others they can think of.
September 4, 2008
Starts with Gallagher's Nine Reading Reasons, which are good enough for me.
1. Reading is rewarding.
2. Reading builds a mature vocabulary.
3. Reading makes you a better writer.
4. Reading is hard, and “hard” is necessary.
5. Reading makes you smarter.
6. Reading prepares you for the world of work.
7. Reading well is financially rewarding.
8. Reading opens the door to college and beyond.
9. Reading arms you against oppression.
and later he adds: 10. Reading helps develop your moral compass.
Also, a few great ideas to integrate into my daily practice with ninth grade students.
Worth a skim.
1. Reading is rewarding.
2. Reading builds a mature vocabulary.
3. Reading makes you a better writer.
4. Reading is hard, and “hard” is necessary.
5. Reading makes you smarter.
6. Reading prepares you for the world of work.
7. Reading well is financially rewarding.
8. Reading opens the door to college and beyond.
9. Reading arms you against oppression.
and later he adds: 10. Reading helps develop your moral compass.
Also, a few great ideas to integrate into my daily practice with ninth grade students.
Worth a skim.
July 22, 2011
This book has been on my shelf for a few years now, and I finally just put it to use during summer school. Man, I wish I had put it to use earlier! By day two my students felt cheated if our SSR time got cut short and were in the library with book choices stacked all around them, disappointed that they had to narrow their selections down to four. Mind you these are students who had to take this extra class because they failed Language Arts, Science or Social Studies and did not consider themselves "good" readers. Now they're talking excitedly with one another about what they're reading and how far they have gotten in their books. I love it!
May 2, 2018
I bought this book because I love his classroom literacy suggestions and looked forward to seeing what kind of mini-lessons he'd developed to motivate students to read. I was not disappointed and, in fact, stopped frequently to move to my computer and create classroom materials to use with my sixth/seventh graders this year. Even though some of the material is a tad dated (statistical information dated 1999/2000), it can easily be updated with a little searching. The best part is he gives 10 reasons to read and 40 mini-lessons that can easily spin into more.
Note: Just finished rereading this to apply to my 8th graders along with many new ideas from his new book with Penny Kittle.
Note: Just finished rereading this to apply to my 8th graders along with many new ideas from his new book with Penny Kittle.
June 30, 2007
This book saves me a lot of work. Trying to explain the value of reading to a bunch of seventh graders in a thoughtful, organized, engaging fashion takes a lot of energy. This book gives thirteen reasons to read (my favorite: reading is hard, and hard is necessary) along with short little lessons for each one. Some of the lessons I can use straight out of the book, but I also like how the lessons can be a jumping off point so you can add your own twist. This book helps me stay excited about fighting the good fight to get kids to read.
April 23, 2008
This is a very readable, inspiring book of lessons and ideas to use in the classroom to get students reading. It has valid reasons and real-life situations that students would be interested in. Great ideas for monthly bulletin boards too. He also provides valid reasons for having a good classroom library and a comprehensive list of where to start. I love the quotes. This author has greatly inspired me to be better at teaching reading.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews