It's that time of year again! The Back to School season has already begun for many of you, or if you're like myself, it is quickly approaching. (Tomorrow already?! Really?!)
This year, why not participate in a project to promote literacy skills, encourage the value of reading, and prepare your students to be 21st century learners by connecting them to a global network of peers?
Creating a reading promise with your classroom this year focuses around something that you probably already do with your students on a daily basis any way-- read! The only difference is that by making a conscious effort to start the conversation and commit to a reading promise with your class, you are putting a spotlight on the value of reading for your students. Seeing how long you can make your streak last will help to build motivation and enthusiasm for reading together. Your students will become aware of the reading taking place in your classroom, and hopefully, look forward to the challenge of continuing their streak.
One of the best parts about this project? You can make the rules to fit your reading promise and your learners. There is no right or wrong way to read with your students. As you start bring up the discussion about your reading promise (Look for an upcoming post with more details about this!), develop the rules that suit your preferences. You can decide if 5 minutes is enough to count for reading together, or if 10 would be better. Maybe even more. What types of materials will count toward your reading streak- chapter books, pictures books, text books, magazines, articles? Up to you! Who will do the reading if you are absent from school? Will it count if a substitute reads to the class or will you use some more creative means to keep the streak alive-- Skype, audio recordings, etc.? You decide!
Whatever rules work for your reading promise, work for the project. Are you reading together? If the answer is
yes, then you are good to go!
As classrooms start to join our Reading Promise community, the stories and ideas that are shared on this blog will serve to inspire and motivate others. It is also my hope that as students become excited about their classroom reading streaks, that enthusiasm and interest will spread to their homes and allow them to begin additional, longer lasting reading promises with their families.
If you are interested in joining us on this journey and making a promise to commit to reading with your class every day,
sign up using the Google form to connect with us. Have your class become Guest Bloggers and post about their streak stories or favorite books they've enjoyed along the way.
I hope to hear from all of you soon and learn about your literary journeys.
Happy Reading!
Mrs. Hartman
