We’ve all heard it: “I don’t like reading.”
Maybe it’s the groan of a teenager trudging to the library, or the familiar refrain: “I have a book report due tomorrow—and I haven’t even started the book.”
Parents feel it too—frustration over missing books, late fees, and the struggle to spark reading habits that stick.
In a world moving as fast as the next viral TikTok, it’s no surprise students are drawn to bite-sized, high-reward content. Educators find themselves in a tug-of-war with instant gratification—and often, reading loses.
Older students who struggle with reading are especially aware when placed in resource or intervention blocks. Influenced by peer perceptions or internalized beliefs, many interpret this support not as a path forward, but as a sign of failure.
Statistically, the numbers back it up. While some may see this as a setback, we view it as a shift in perception—and an opportunity to rethink engagement.
Recent NAEP scores show reading performance slipping—and quickly. More students are falling behind, particularly those just above the threshold—unidentified but still at risk. They may not qualify for Tier 2 or Tier 3 services, yet they are far from thriving. In the absence of clear solutions at scale, schools and programs are stepping in to close the gap with more targeted, responsive approaches.
But here’s the challenge:
- Older students tune out when tools feel too young or too traditional.
- When they don’t have choice or control, motivation drops.
- And when intervention feels like something done to them instead of for them, they’ve already checked out.
The real challenge isn’t just delivering reading intervention—it’s igniting a spark. When students begin to see it as something they want to engage with—because it fuels their progress—they lean in. It draws them back into learning, rather than reinforcing the notion that reading programs are just another digital babysitter.
Meet them where they are—developmentally, not just academically.
While Generation Alpha grew up in a post-COVID, Ms. Rachel world, today’s upper elementary and middle schoolers (third grade and beyond) want something age-appropriate. They’re unlikely to connect with cartoon puppets or sing-song chants like “Magic E makes the vowel say its name!” Even if they missed early phonics, they want learning experiences that reflect who they are now.
Today’s older learners are tech-savvy. They expect experiences that feel current and engaging. Gamification works—but only when done well. And gamification should never come at the expense of foundational skill building. Like adults, they want to feel challenged, respected, and genuinely motivated to grow.
Student Choice: More Than Just a Buzzword
As students grow older, the desire for autonomy isn’t just nice-to-have; it’s essential. But in education technology (we’ve been guilty too), the phrase “student choice” often feels overpromised and underdelivered.
Research shows when students connect their learning to topics or activities they care about, they stop feeling like bystanders and start owning their journey. Motivation rises, engagement deepens, and learning becomes personal.
Empower Students to Impose Their Will
Motivational speaker and former college athlete Inky Johnson says, “You’ve gotta impose your will.” Students can harness that strength when given the chance to lead their learning. When intervention encourages choice and ownership, students don’t just comply—they take charge. Empowering them to impose their will builds confidence, motivation, and real growth.
To solve for age-appropriateness, choice, and motivation, partners like MindPlay must offer seamless, impactful ways for students to see their progress and choose their next steps—making learning personal and purposeful in an environment that feels made just for them.
Paving Success with Engagement Tools
We’re excited to announce MindPlay Reading Studio just got even better. With our new interactive, visually engaging Student Map, students navigate immersive biomes while building phonics, grammar, comprehension, and more—all working toward fluency and grade-level content.
“No clutter, no confusion—just a modern, intuitive experience that keeps learners focused and excited,” says Director of Product Design Brett Gunter.
From Goals to Wins: Fueling Motivation That Lasts
As we transform reading intervention from a chore into a personal quest, we know choice alone isn’t enough. That’s why we introduced Student & Classroom Goals—a simple, powerful way for students to set weekly targets and rally around shared wins. Whether mastering lessons or turning unturned library books into “books read” goals, these milestones make progress visible and motivation tangible. With each goal achieved, students build confidence, momentum, and a stronger sense of belonging.
We want students to ship reading—in teen-speak, that means forming a real connection, like putting two characters into a relationship. In this case, it’s about building a bond between the student and the text—something that feels personal, meaningful, and worth rooting for. That’s why we’ve added In-Text Supports—just-in-time vocabulary help, audio pronunciation, and Spanish translations—to make sticking with a story easier than ever. Fewer frustrating pauses, more reasons to keep reading.
Change begins when we rethink how students experience reading.
Imagine intervention that sparks confidence instead of frustration—where students don’t just comply but take charge. Together, we can create reading journeys that feel less like work and more like a win. Ready to help your students impose their will on reading?
Start the journey with MindPlay
