Secondary School Ideas

Masked Reader is a surprise event where a disguised guest, such as a staff member, administrator, or local figure, reads aloud while students try to guess who it is. The reader arrives in costume and may disguise their voice. Students guess every few pages, clues come if they're stumped, and whoever guesses correctly wins a prize. It works live in a classroom or broadcast school-wide over the intercom, and each format brings its own energy.

Stall Stories and Story Snacks share one simple idea: put book quotes, cliffhanger summaries, and reading hooks where students already go every day, and let curiosity do the rest. There's no sign-up, tracking, or required completion. A student glances at a stall door, a quote catches them mid-sentence, and they want to know what happens next. That's the whole mechanism, and it works.

Stop, Drop & Read is a school-wide silent reading event. At a set moment, everyone, from students and teachers to administrators, custodians, and office staff, stops what they're doing and reads independently for a set time. No grades, no assignments, just reading. It's inspired by DEAR (Drop Everything And Read), a national celebration honoring author Beverly Cleary, who featured the practice in her Ramona books. DEAR Day falls on April 12, Cleary's birthday, but Stop, Drop & Read can happen any time that works for your school.

Ink the Quote is a student art contest where students create original drawings that weave a book quote directly into the artwork, making the words both subject and medium. The result is art where text and image are inseparable. Students engage with literature in a personal, creative way, and the finished pieces are displayed around the school as a celebration of books.

Themed Reading Challenges are voluntary reading programs built around a unifying concept, such as a genre, place, era, or mystery. Instead of simply asking students to read more, they give them a reason to read: a puzzle to solve, a passport to stamp, a bingo card to fill. This toolkit covers eight challenge formats for middle and high school students. Each can run as a one-time event or become part of a year-round reading culture. 

National PTA offers a variety of resources specifically designed for middle and high school PTSAs. Explore ideas and tools covering topics such as advocacy, arts, college and career readiness, digital well-being, health, literacy, safety, and STEM. These resources can help PTAs engage students, support their school communities, and develop meaningful programs and activities.