As middle grades schools restore reading classes for all students, the enormous sum of talents exerted by new reading teachers provides a fresh start to help middle grades students become successful in both middle grades and later on in high school.  Reading teachers have checked the state’s reading course descriptions and are providing course content in word recognition, vocabulary building, comprehension, literature, and independent reading.  To make things more complicated and interesting, they realize that increased reading performance from their students is expected on ISTEP and on new annual reading tests that will soon involve all middle grades students.

      Despite funding difficulties, schools are finding the resources to build strong reading programs.  Teachers need to know the reading levels of all students, and they can’t wait for ISTEP results.  As a result, school corporations are providing them with reading tests that can be easily and quickly hand-scored. 

      Fortunately, there are many excellent materials that can be used for direct teaching of comprehension, vocabulary, and fluency.  Once teachers determine students’ reading levels, they can connect them with the many reading materials that cover a wide range of reading abilities. 

      Reading classrooms feature an environment where reading is valued, promoted, and encouraged.  Bulletin boards, posters, and Young Hoosier Book Award charts that promote independent reading are displayed.  The American Library Association has excellent reading posters available.

      Today’s middle grades reading teachers establish a close connection with the school library.  Visits by reading classes to the school library are scheduled regularly.  Teachers and librarians provide booktalks and assist students in their selections of books for independent reading.

      While it is not the primary job of other teachers to teach reading to middle grades students, reading teachers help them by assisting with reading in the content areas, by promoting reading among the faculty as they serve as reading role models for their students, and by including study skills within the reading course.

      Beyond normal classroom reading activities, reading teachers work together—along with the principal, librarian, and other interested faculty—in creating schoolwide efforts to promote reading.  Middle grades students enjoy being part of a school that has exciting things going on throughout the school year, and reading activities can help make school a place that is something broader and, ultimately, more important in the lives of young adolescents.