The Joy of Reading: Why the Best Reward is No Reward at all

When I was in the classroom, I started a tradition called “Free Read Friday.” My goal was simple: I wanted my students to walk into the room and enjoy 53 uninterrupted minutes of reading something they genuinely loved.

It was a success. The kids knew exactly what to expect and they arrived (mostly) prepared. Even the students who claimed to dislike reading showed up with something to dive into. It became a highlight of the week. Not just for them, but for me, too.

At the time, I took a little flack from a few colleagues who questioned the "academic rigor" of just letting kids read. But looking back, I’m glad I trusted my instincts. As it turns out, the science of motivation supported the practice.