Getting Kids to Read!

I'm not sure why, but nowadays kids in general just don't enjoy reading as much as they used to. I've been working on ways to get kids excited about reading. This is what I've come up with:

1.  Take them to the library. They love it.  They feel so important.  Even if they don't take out a book, they read magazines, or just peruse the backs of book covers.

2. Sign them up on on "NEWSELA." My Grade 5s are pumped about this website!  They just love it...because there are so many different topics that there is something everyone is interested in!  You can find the link here.

3.  Have mentor texts available.  The kids love reading storybooks, and there are many great themes and lessons we can learn in these books.  There are also may "storybooks" that are of longer length and more advanced vocabulary.  My friend is a librarian and she is currently helping me build literacy centers around fractured fairytales.  Once were have completed the centers I will post them so you can take a peek at what's happening in our classroom.

4.  Have technology available for reading purposes.  The kids will always choose an Ipad to read on over a book.  If you have some available in the classroom, they will read.

5.  Coffee House:  The kids loved when we did this activity, they were silent, and reading and analyzing each others work, along with other specified reading material.  Make the environment for reading fun!

I always tell the kids..."Readers are the leaders of tomorrow."  Nothing can grow your brain like reading.  Choose the appropriate material, and you can learn so much about the world around you and its' history...so pick up a book and read!