Tips for helping middle schoolers want to read

Why is it important to encourage reading in middle school?

Middle school is a pivotal time for students’ literacy development. As they transition from elementary school to more subject-specific learning, they are expected to navigate increasingly complex informational texts. However, many students struggle to engage with traditional reading assignments. Students find textbooks, homework, and worksheets tedious and unrelated to their everyday interests.

So, how can educators encourage reading in middle school without making it feel like homework?

The key is to make reading relevant, engaging, and accessible.

One powerful way to achieve this is by teaching the news using real-world topics that students are already discussing at home, in school, and on social media. The Juice is a nonfiction platform that writes daily articles on the topics students are already interested in. Want to see it in action?

Why do middle schoolers struggle to read?

Middle schoolers are in a unique learning phase. They are developing higher-level comprehension skills but often lack the background knowledge and domain-specific vocabulary to fully grasp complex texts.

Additionally, students at this age crave real-world connections — they want to see how what they’re learning applies to their own lives.

When reading feels disconnected from their interests, students disengage. However, when they read about current events for students, they see real-world applications of concepts they’re learning in class, making reading feel more meaningful and rewarding.

Imagine how easy it would be to get middle school students to read about sports, video games, or Taylor Swift. Current events are the best hook to get middle schoolers on board with daily reading practice.

Ways to encourage reading without making it feel like homework

Leverage Current Events to Spark Curiosity

Students naturally engage with topics that are trending in the news or on social media. By integrating current event articles for students into daily instruction, teachers can spark lively discussions and encourage students to explore real-world issues.

Example Activity:

• Assign an article from The Juice’s ELA news articles section and ask students to debate both sides of an issue.
• Use formative assessment tools like reflection prompts to gauge their understanding.

This approach builds information literacy while making reading feel interactive and relevant rather than just another assignment.

Give Students a Choice in What They Read

Allowing students to select reading materials based on their interests fosters independence and motivates middle school students. With a variety of informational texts available in The Juice, students can explore everything from science and technology to social issues and sports.

Example Activity:

• Set up a “Current Events Reading Hour” where students choose an article from our news for students page nd share key takeaways with the class.
• Use formative assessment ideas like exit tickets to encourage students to reflect on what they’ve learned.

When students feel ownership over their reading, they are far more likely to engage.

Connect Reading to Classroom Conversations

Middle schoolers love to talk — so use that to your advantage! Encourage students to read daily news and bring their thoughts into classroom discussions.

Example Activity:

• Start class with a “News Roundtable” where students summarize articles from current event articles for students and relate them to what they’re learning in history, science, or ELA.
• Have students identify informational texts that connect to their personal experiences or interests.

Not only does this approach build reading comprehension, but it also develops critical thinking and discussion skills — key components of teaching the news effectively.

Use News to Build Subject-Specific Vocabulary

Many middle schoolers struggle with academic vocabulary because they have limited exposure to subject-specific words. ELA news articles help bridge this gap by introducing new terms in context, making them easier to understand and retain.

Example Activity:

• Create a “Word of the Week” board featuring new vocabulary from informational texts students read.
• Use formative assessment tools like vocabulary quizzes to track progress.

By integrating real-world reading with vocabulary development, students naturally expand their word knowledge without rote memorization.

Make Reading a Daily Habit

Consistency is key to building strong literacy skills. Just like teaching the news daily keeps students informed, regular reading practice helps them improve comprehension and retention.

Example Activity:

• Assign a “Daily News Journal” where students summarize and reflect on current events for students for 5 minutes each day.
• Use formative assessment ideas like short written reflections or class discussions to reinforce learning.

When students read a little bit every day, they develop the habit of engaging with text — leading to long-term literacy success. Try these tips for teaching nonfiction to make building a daily reading habit easy.

The Power of Real-World Reading in Middle School

Encouraging reading in middle school doesn’t have to mean forcing students through dense textbooks or assigning endless worksheets. Instead, by integrating news for students, ELA news articles, and other informational texts, educators can create a classroom culture where reading is engaging, relevant, and meaningful.

By using formative assessment tools to track progress and offering students choices in their reading materials, teachers can help students build lifelong literacy skills while staying informed about the world around them.

Ready to transform reading in your classroom? Start teaching with current events today!