How to Build Strong Reading Routines in Upper Elementary (Without Losing Your Mind)
Let’s get one thing out of the way first:
Back-to-school reading routines don’t have to be boring. And they definitely don’t have to be complicated.
But they do need to be consistent, thoughtful, and taught early — because the way you start the year sets the tone for everything that follows (pun intended… you’ll see why soon 😄).
Whether you're teaching third grade, fourth grade, or fifth grade, your students need structure to become confident, reflective readers. So today, I’m walking you through how I set up reading routines in my upper elementary classroom, what worked (and didn’t), and the one simple tool that makes my life easier every year.
✅ Why Reading Routines Matter (Especially in Grades 3–5)
Upper elementary readers are in that beautiful in-between stage. They’re not learning to read anymore — they’re reading to learn. But without daily habits and clear expectations, they’ll fake-read their way through silent reading faster than you can say “graphic novel.”
Strong reading routines:
Build reading stamina
Help students develop independent reading skills
Create space for comprehension strategies to be taught intentionally
Reduce classroom chaos (because let’s be honest, it gets loud if there’s no plan)
📚 My Must-Have Reading Routine Components
Whether you're starting from scratch or just need a refresh, here's what I include in my reading block:
1. Consistent Independent Reading Time
Yes, every day. Even if it's just 10 minutes to start. I explicitly teach what “real reading” looks like and sounds like — and model it myself. (Yes, I actually sit down with a book too. No grading. No emails. Just vibes.)
2. Weekly Reading Reflections
This is where the real growth comes in. Students track not just what they’re reading, but how they’re thinking about it.
And for that? I use my Reading Log Bookmark — it’s simple, effective, and helps students track both in-class and at-home reading. I use it to monitor:
Homework reading progress
In-class independent reading
Genre variety
Reading stamina
Student reflection
It helps me gather data without overwhelming anyone, and it becomes a tool for goal-setting later in the year.
Click here to check it out — it’s one of my favorite back-to-school routines to implement!
3. Partner Talk & Book Chats
Let’s normalize talking about books! Whether it’s a 3-minute chat or a whole-class share, I make this a weekly thing. Bonus points if they can recommend a book to a peer.
4. Mini-Lessons with a Purpose
Every mini-lesson should focus on something your students actually need. I teach the big stuff — main idea, inferencing — but I also go deep into the skills that often get overlooked… like mood and author’s tone.
Which brings me to something I reflected on this summer...
🔄Reflection Time: Mood & Author’s Tone
One of the things I always do over the summer (usually with a snack in hand and a notepad nearby) is reflect on what worked and what didn’t from the previous school year. That includes looking at what my students enjoyed, what they struggled with, and — if I’m being honest — how my TPT store performed too.
And this year, one thing stood out:
My Mood and Author’s Tone resource was one of the most-downloaded products.
Which honestly makes sense — because let’s be real:
👉 Mood and tone are HARD to teach.
👉 Most resources are either way too easy or way too confusing.
👉 Kids need scaffolded, engaging practice.
So I created a few different versions that make it way more accessible — and they’re only $1 this week during the Power of Projects Sale!
Click here to grab one (or all) of them
🛠️Putting It All Together
So if you're building your reading routines this year, here’s the cheat sheet:
Start small but consistent — even 10 minutes a day builds momentum
Teach and model everything — don’t assume they know how to “just read”
Track with purpose — the right log helps you and them
Mix in big-skill instruction — mood and tone, baby!
Reflect and adjust — it’s okay to tweak as you go
💛Final Thoughts
You don’t need to reinvent the wheel — you just need to build habits that make reading feel meaningful. That’s what routines do. They turn “I guess I’ll read” into “Oh! I want to keep going!”
So whether you're planning by the pool, the beach, or the couch with snacks — start with one piece of the puzzle. And if that piece happens to be a free or $1 resource… hey, even better. 😉
Thanks for stopping by, teacher friend — your future reading block is about to shine.
✨
