Encouraging a child to read a wide variety of books is
probably the best education you can give them - but sometimes it seems to be an
uphill struggle! I have put together a collection of tips and tricks to
encourage classroom reading which may give you some ideas.
1. Have A Reading Competition
Each month, host a competition to encourage reading outside
the home. Have students keep a reading log and collect it at the end of the
month or grading period. Simple information like date, pages read, and book
information should be enough. Whoever reads the most books each period of
competing time wins a small prize.
2. Develop A Class Goal
Set a certain number of books you want the class to read as
a whole over a set amount of time. Perhaps you want an average of 5 books per
student plus 5 read in class. Keep track on a chart with stickers so students
know where they stand, and if your goal is met after that period of time, have
a small book themed celebration! This will encourage both team work and
reading.
3. Make Comprehension Fun
While comprehension is highly important, quizzes and tests
get boring to the young mind. Test their comprehension in a fun way instead.
Try a review game or a crossword puzzle testing the knowledge students have
retained from the book.
4. Start A Reading Club
To encourage those to read, start a book club with your
class or even the whole grade. Each month choose a book to read and have a
monthly meeting to do activities relating to the book. This makes out of school
reading fun and encourages socializing between classes in the grade!
5. Have Book Themed Class Activities
To keep the love of reading alive, do specific activities
that work into the book you are currently reading as a class. Dress up as
characters in the book. Eat food related to the setting. Do a project on the
author. Be creative and have fun!
How do you encourage reading in your classroom?
