Top 5 Ways to Make Reading Fun in the Common Core Classroom

Is there time for fun in the Reading Common Core Classroom? You bet there is!

We have found, in our combined 30+ years of teaching, that students need to be able to have fun to help foster learning. Therefore, we have implemented many exciting activities into our classrooms.

#1. First we promote reading at home by having monthly reading contests. Each student is given a reading log at the beginning of each month. The child takes the log home, records the minutes read each night, has a parent sign it at the end of the month, and then brings it in to school. If the students meet their monthly goal (usually 560-600 minutes), we have a Pop a Top Celebration where they can bring in pop, juice or water to celebrate their achievement.

#2. Second, once a month, we do flashlight reading where we turn off the lights during reading and hand out small flashlights for students to use with their books. They love this!

#3. Third, we also allow our students to read comic books, magazines, graphic novels or other fun books once a month as well They love to be able to read these fun items when given the chance.

#4. A fourth idea is to have your students read aloud picture books to each other every once in a while. It is a great way to practice fluency and a fabulous way to interact with their classmates.

#5. A fifth way to have fun in the Reading Common Core classroom is by taking the students outside for reading.  Just the change in pace and the element of surprise will bring smiles to your students' faces! They will also love to stretch out in a bigger space and enjoy the weather as they read!

If you have other suggestions, please feel free to comment below!