Simple & Exciting Ways to make reading fun!

child reading simple and exciting ways to make reading fun

6 Ways to get students motivated & interested in independent reading time

Do you have students that are unmotivated to read, or do not enjoy reading during silent reading time? In my classroom we call silent reading D.E.A.R. time. D.E.A.R time means Drop Everything And Read time! In the past I have also called it self-selected reading time. Whatever you may call it, during this time students read silently a book of their choice.

Research shows even a small amount of independent reading helps increase students’ reading comprehension, vocabulary growth, spelling facility, understanding of grammar, and knowledge of the world. Providing students will opportunities to read for FUN is so important. It will also help build habitual readers with conscious reading habits. The more one reads, the better one reads. Now to the fun part! These are some fun ways to engage students in independent reading.

Flashlight Friday! This idea is a hit in my classroom every year. On Friday’s my class reads in the dark with a finger flashlight I purchased on Amazon, or they can bring a hand flashlight from home.

Read in a choice area. Kids love choice! Allow your students to read around the room or go outside!

students reading independently outside on a blanket

3. Book buddies! Students can choose from a bin of stuffed animals to read with during silent reading time.

bucket full of stuffed animals for reading buddies

4. Book worms. Every now and then I’ll pass out sour worms as a treat while they are reading! My students get so excited about sour worms. You can get a FREE printable here!

5. Book trailers. In my classroom library I have available book trailers for students to scan and watch. They can check out the book if it is in our library.

6. Reading Graffiti. Have a spot in the classroom where students can informally write about what they read. My students love the reading graffiti, I mean who doesn’t love writing with a colorful sharpie, right?

To sum up all the simple and exciting ways to make reading fun with flashlight Friday, reading choice area, reading buddies, bookworms treat bag, book trailers, and reading graffiti are going to make your independent reading time extra exciting and fun for students.

I hope your students enjoy them!