The Power of Giving to Motivate Students to Read

Connecting Literacy to Purpose and Impact

How do we inspire students to read more? This is a question educators and parents often ask. While incentives like rewards and recognition can be effective, research suggests that students are even more motivated when their efforts contribute to a meaningful cause. Purpose-driven learning, where students see a direct impact from their work, can significantly boost engagement and participation.

Why Students Need Extra Motivation to Read

Reading motivation has declined in recent years, with fewer students engaging in voluntary reading. The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) found that the percentage of students who read for fun almost daily dropped from 27% in 2012 to 14% in 2022 (NAEP, 2022). Factors such as increased screen time, lack of engaging reading materials, and the widening academic achievement gap have all contributed to this decline. Teachers across the country continue to seek strategies to encourage reading habits that go beyond required classroom work.

At the same time, research highlights that students are more motivated to read when they see the real-world impact of their efforts. According to self-determination theory (Deci & Ryan, 2000), intrinsic motivation—the drive to do something because it is personally rewarding—outperforms extrinsic motivation (e.g., grades or prizes) in sustaining long-term engagement. One of the most effective ways to build intrinsic motivation is by connecting reading to a purpose beyond the classroom.

Why Giving Drives the Most Impact

Service-learning and philanthropic activities in education have been linked to higher academic achievement, increased motivation, and greater social-emotional development (Billig, 2000). When students understand that their reading efforts can make a difference—whether by contributing to a cause, helping their community, or supporting peers—they develop a deeper sense of purpose in their learning.

When students read for a cause, they feel a greater sense of autonomy, competence, and connection—three key psychological needs for motivation (Deci & Ryan, 2000). The ability to give back through reading transforms literacy into an experience with real-world impact, fostering lifelong learning habits.

How Educators Can Leverage Giving to Inspire Reading

Teachers looking to foster more engagement in literacy can incorporate similar purpose-driven activities in the classroom:

• Create Classroom Giving Goals
  Set collective class goals where students contribute their reading efforts toward a shared cause.
• Connect Reading to Real-World Impact
  Choose texts highlighting global issues, empathy, and community service to help students relate their learning to real-world scenarios.
• Celebrate Progress
  Recognize student contributions through class discussions, reflection activities, and small celebrations can reinforce motivation.

Join the Learning A-Z Star Donation Challenge!

One way to integrate purpose-driven reading into your classroom is through the Learning A-Z^® Star Donation Challenge. This initiative allows students to earn stars by reading books and completing literacy activities, which they can then donate toward providing meals, clean water, and school supplies to children in need worldwide.

Last year, students who participated:

• Read 3x as many books
• Complete 4x as many activities
• Achieve reading gains faster
• Make a life-changing impact on communities around the world and model good citizenship

The challenge has shown that when students read for a cause, they read more, engage more deeply, and develop essential literacy and social-emotional skills along the way.

Inspire your students to read more, give back, and grow as learners.

^Sources:

• ^{Billig, Shelley H. Research on K-12 School-Based Service-Learning: The Evidence Builds. Phi Delta Kappan, vol. 81, no. 9, 2000, pp. 658–664.}
• ^{Deci, Edward L., and Richard M. Ryan. Self-Determination Theory and the Facilitation of Intrinsic Motivation, Social Development, and Well-Being. American Psychologist, vol. 55, no. 1, 2000, pp. 68–78.}
• ^{National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). 2022 NAEP Reading Report Card. National Center for Education Statistics, 2022.}

^{No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. The 2025 Learning A-Z® Star Donation Challenge Contest runs 03/24/2025 12:00:01 am ET to either (1) 04/25/2024 11:59:59 pm ET or (2) the Target Donation is reached. Open only to School Teachers, 21+, who currently use a Sponsor Product. All eligible Teachers using a Sponsor Product will be entered into the Contest by virtue of using the Product. To learn how to opt-out of the contest and to see Official Rules, including how to participate and prize details, click here: https://www.learninga-z.com/user_area/content_media/raw/stardonationcontestrules1.pdf. Sponsor: Learning A-Z.}