February is I Love to Read Month, the perfect time to assess if your students do, in fact, love to read. Are they captivated by good stories? Does reading fill them with excitement and enthusiasm? Do they play with the sounds of language in a literature-rich environment that promotes active learning through highly engaging activities? If the answer to any of these questions is no (and even if it's yes!), it may be time to arm yourself with a repertoire of techniques guaranteed to get every child in your class saying "I love to read!"
Do an Illustrator Study
Small children are attracted to books by their pictures, not by their words. Picture books are the first step into literacy. Even reluctant readers will pick up a book if there is something good to look at in it. Illustrations bring stories to life, and a well-illustrated book will be looked at over and over again.
To stimulate your students' interest in books, do an illustrator study. We did a comparison study of three artists with very different styles and techniques: Eric Carle, who makes painted tissue paper collages; Crockett Johnson, the author and illustrator of Harold and the Purple Crayon; and David Wisniewski, whose layered cut paper makes his three-dimensional illustrations pop off the page.
Capitalize on Student Interests
One of the best ways to get kids reading is to surround them with books on subjects about which they're passionate. Find out what your students, as individuals, like and try to get books that cover as many of these things as possible. The public library is always a good resource.
We got a head start on celebrating Dr. Seuss's birthday, which is on March 2nd. We love Dr. Seuss for so many reasons: the way he plays with words, his cliffhangers on every right-hand page, his knowledge of what is funny to a child, and of course his illustrations. We did some Cat in the Hat tricks, played Pin the Eggs on the Plate, made our own Dr. Seuss books, filled out Dr. Seuss reading passports, and decorated our door.
Make Reading Fun
Following are ten ideas for reading centers that are sure to engage your students:
1. Reading Center -- Library
Reading Activities
2. Reading Center -- Newsroom
Reading Activities
Download your own set of environmental print cards at Hubbard's Cupboard.
3. Reading Center -- Office
Reading Activities
4. Reading Center -- Recording Studio
Reading Activities
To learn how to do sound effects, visit Tony PalermoâÂÂs Sound Effects Closet.
5. Reading Center -- Radio Station
Reading Activities
Order a Read-Along Radio Drama Kit, or listen to episodes of Old-Time Radio Shows such as the LetâÂÂs Pretend shows, Cinnamon Bear, Story Lady, and Mickey Mouse Theater. Random House has a special Listening Library just for young listeners.
6. Reading Center -- Theater
Reading Activities
Read free ReaderâÂÂs Theater tips and learn how to make hand shadow puppets. Get the book 25 Just-Right Plays for Emergent Readers, order book props, and visit the Muppets Store.
7. Reading Center -- Top Secret Headquarters (Spy)
Reading Activities
8. Reading Center -- Treasure Island
Reading Activities
9. Reading Center -- Telephone Booth
Reading Activities
10. Reading Center -- Drive-In Movie Theater
Reading Activities
I got the idea for these cars from Kiboomu, and made them with the generous help of my parent volunteer. I made the license plates with the Nevada DMV Personalized License Plate Availability Search.
Use the School-Home Connection
Join the Global Literacy Call to Action
Scholastic's global literacy campaign is "Read Every Day. Lead a Better Life." It asks that everyone join together to support their children's right to read in order to live a better life. Its Reading Bill of Rights includes the belief that "You Are What You Read."
What do you do to get your students to love reading?
Have a literary weekend!
~Allie
February is I Love to Read Month, the perfect time to assess if your students do, in fact, love to read. Are they captivated by good stories? Does reading fill them with excitement and enthusiasm? Do they play with the sounds of language in a literature-rich environment that promotes active learning through highly engaging activities? If the answer to any of these questions is no (and even if it's yes!), it may be time to arm yourself with a repertoire of techniques guaranteed to get every child in your class saying "I love to read!"
Do an Illustrator Study
Small children are attracted to books by their pictures, not by their words. Picture books are the first step into literacy. Even reluctant readers will pick up a book if there is something good to look at in it. Illustrations bring stories to life, and a well-illustrated book will be looked at over and over again.
To stimulate your students' interest in books, do an illustrator study. We did a comparison study of three artists with very different styles and techniques: Eric Carle, who makes painted tissue paper collages; Crockett Johnson, the author and illustrator of Harold and the Purple Crayon; and David Wisniewski, whose layered cut paper makes his three-dimensional illustrations pop off the page.
Capitalize on Student Interests
One of the best ways to get kids reading is to surround them with books on subjects about which they're passionate. Find out what your students, as individuals, like and try to get books that cover as many of these things as possible. The public library is always a good resource.
We got a head start on celebrating Dr. Seuss's birthday, which is on March 2nd. We love Dr. Seuss for so many reasons: the way he plays with words, his cliffhangers on every right-hand page, his knowledge of what is funny to a child, and of course his illustrations. We did some Cat in the Hat tricks, played Pin the Eggs on the Plate, made our own Dr. Seuss books, filled out Dr. Seuss reading passports, and decorated our door.
Make Reading Fun
Following are ten ideas for reading centers that are sure to engage your students:
1. Reading Center -- Library
Reading Activities
2. Reading Center -- Newsroom
Reading Activities
Download your own set of environmental print cards at Hubbard's Cupboard.
3. Reading Center -- Office
Reading Activities
4. Reading Center -- Recording Studio
Reading Activities
To learn how to do sound effects, visit Tony PalermoâÂÂs Sound Effects Closet.
5. Reading Center -- Radio Station
Reading Activities
Order a Read-Along Radio Drama Kit, or listen to episodes of Old-Time Radio Shows such as the LetâÂÂs Pretend shows, Cinnamon Bear, Story Lady, and Mickey Mouse Theater. Random House has a special Listening Library just for young listeners.
6. Reading Center -- Theater
Reading Activities
Read free ReaderâÂÂs Theater tips and learn how to make hand shadow puppets. Get the book 25 Just-Right Plays for Emergent Readers, order book props, and visit the Muppets Store.
7. Reading Center -- Top Secret Headquarters (Spy)
Reading Activities
8. Reading Center -- Treasure Island
Reading Activities
9. Reading Center -- Telephone Booth
Reading Activities
10. Reading Center -- Drive-In Movie Theater
Reading Activities
I got the idea for these cars from Kiboomu, and made them with the generous help of my parent volunteer. I made the license plates with the Nevada DMV Personalized License Plate Availability Search.
Use the School-Home Connection
Join the Global Literacy Call to Action
Scholastic's global literacy campaign is "Read Every Day. Lead a Better Life." It asks that everyone join together to support their children's right to read in order to live a better life. Its Reading Bill of Rights includes the belief that "You Are What You Read."
What do you do to get your students to love reading?
Have a literary weekend!
~Allie
