The concept of inertia--the property by which a body in motion tends to remain in motion, and a body at rest tends to remain at rest--is analogous to a situation that occurs in reading. Some students, despite being able to read, choose not to read when other options are available. In terms of inertia, these students are at rest and tend to remain at rest, lacking the motivation to read. Several strategies and activities have the power to create an initial impetus toward independent and motivated reading. Reading aloud to children fosters growth in a number of reading areas, from developing a sense of story to improving vocabulary, as well as motivating students to finish a story started in a read-aloud session. Experiences in the school, such as field trips, guest speakers, and films, often motivate students to read books on related topics. Books themselves can be an experience that leads students into other books. Series books or books by a noted author can encourage a student to read. Daily sustained reading at school and at home can motivate students to incorporate reading into their own schedule. Cooperative activities, placing students in reading situations in which they have some responsibility for the success or failure of a group endeavor, also motivates students to read. If teachers can set students' reading in motion using these strategies, the motion can often be enough to sustain itself into independent reading and learning. (MM)