Irvington Middle School seventh graders engaged in a project to explore the benefits of reading on both the brain and body. Through independent and group activities, such as analyzing infographics and reading science-based articles, the students gained a broader understanding of how reading positively impacts various aspects of life.
As part of the assignment, the students collaborated with their classmates in small groups to create library posters, persuasive advertisements, engaging slide presentations, and even funny musical raps to encourage people to read more. Their English language arts teachers, Allicia Duda and Kelly Kozak, were impressed with the students’ engagement and newfound appreciation for the value of reading beyond just academics.
“Students know that reading is good for their learning mostly because they have been told this by their teachers and parents,” Kozak said. “However, this work gave them a broader perspective of reading. They were so surprised by many of its benefits.”
Duda emphasized that reading is a powerful part of middle school life that brings a variety of benefits, including better sleep, improved memory, reduced stress and enhanced social connections.
In their reflections, the seventh graders expressed they discovered that reading fosters empathy, improves brain connectivity, reduces the risk of Alzheimer’s, and enhances focus and concentration. They were surprised that simple activities like reading, especially when done before bed, improved their sleep quality and overall well-being.
“Something really easy like reading, playing chess, or doing puzzles can help prevent a brain disease,” seventh graders Emily Szczapa and Oliver Rushton said. “A small thing like reading a little bit of a book each day can prevent something that is very powerful. It’s amazing that reading a little can help prevent you from losing memory.”
Izzy Dhanoolal and Freyja Barakat explained that when reading, they focus on one thing at a time.
“That trains your brain to focus on one thing at a time for a longer period of time,” they said. “Reading is good for the brain for it increases attention spans, focus and concentration. This is very helpful in school, in sports, and in work.”
