July 17, 2014

Reading Logs - More Than Just Rewards!

Finding ways to motivate students (and parents) to read outside of school can be challenging.  Simply asking students to read at home every night as part of their homework just doesn't seem to be enough.  As some of you know, my focus last year was on all things boys and reading.  I beefed up my "boy" friendly classroom library and created a very successful system for encouraging all my students to read. It's called Books & Beads.  In it's most simplistic form, kids read and earn beads for a necklace that hangs on a bulletin board in the classroom.  And yes, even the boys LOVE their necklaces.

How it works:  
On Mondays, students take home 2-3 books at their reading level along with their Books & Beads pocket folder.  Their folder contains a student recording sheet where they write the name of the book and a hundreds chart that they use to color the number of books read.


Folders are returned on Thursday and re-stocked with new books for the weekend.  There are two things that make this system stand out!  1.  Students are SUPER engaged because they earn 1 bead for every 10 books read.  I hang student necklaces on a bulletin board which is the PERFECT visual motivator.  2.  In my quest to integrate as much as possible this year, I created skip counting book tracking sheets so students can also practice counting.  We all know how important this skill is when it comes time to teaching time and money!!!!


As an extra little bonus, I give my students certificates for achieving major reading milestones.  Think of them as really BIG brag tags!



How you structure reading in your classroom?  Comment below for your chance to win a copy of my Books & Beads At-Home Reading Program!

And, if you don't win that's okay!  I'm putting my program on sale until tomorrow!  You can grab the whole program for just $3.00!

Click here for the Books & Beads Program!


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7 comments:

  1. Sounds super fun- I would love any way to get more interest at home in reading. The ones that don't participate are the ones that need it the most. I structure reading in my class based on the district pacing guide with CCSS and Daily 5.
    MIchelle
    inlikeflynnm@yahoo.com

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  2. Hi Erin,
    I do something similar in my classroom, but not nearly as fun! This looks like a great way to keep the kids accountable for their reading :)

    --jen

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  3. This sounds amazing!!!! I would love to use this in my classroom to help motivate my students to read as part of their HW!!!!!!!!!

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  4. This is awesome, I would love to win this!

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  5. This is a great idea! I use Brag Tags from Imagestuff.com with my students, but I love this idea as well and may have to combine the two! I'd love to see a photo of your necklaces. What do you use to make them?

    ~Erin
    Mrs. Beattie's Classroom

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    1. Thanks! I bought simple chain necklaces from Oriental Trading.
      Hi Erin!

      I bought these chain necklaces. I'll post pics of my classroom at the end of August so you can see them. I'm planning on doing some blog posts about various elements of my classroom!

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  6. I can't wait to use this in my classroom next year to engage and encourage readers.
    Erin you are truly a passionate, creative and inspiring teacher. I am looking forward to next year!
    ~Marlene

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