We are enjoying our celebration of reading month in kindergarten!
Yesterday was "cozy pajama day" in our classroom. Students had opportunities throughout the day to read with their stuffed animal friends with a blanket, in a spot of their choice. They could also choose any books to read. Once everyone got settled in to read (I had to put a stop to building blanket forts--as fun as it was, it distracted the group from being on task), students were able to focus and keep reading for quite a while! At various points throughout the day, students chose to read alone, in small groups, and with partners. Most spread out their blankets and brought a pile of books to their special spots. Many ate a snack while reading (remember, this was a very special day!).
In our normal classroom routines, students also have choices in their reading. After reading their on-level ('good fit') book bag books, they can browse book basket books on the tables. Currently, book bag books are teacher selected, though that will be changing soon as I have acquired more texts for our classroom leveled library (yay!!!). I believe strongly that student choice in books has a direct correlation with reading motivation and achievement. Soon, students will be able to "book shop" for their own book bag books using the acronym "I PICK." More on that later. :) Also, throughout the day, when students finish an assignment early, they can peruse our many classroom books and find a book to sit with and enjoy.
In terms of comfort while reading, students are currently doing independent reading time at table spots, but partner reading time happens throughout the room. We have found that it's easier for most to stay focused at table spots when doing "read to self" time, but when reading with a friend, finding a spot away from others is beneficial. Also, many partnerships like to lay on the floor or sit in cozy nooks. I'm eager to get to a point in our class when students can sustain focus on their independent reading job in a spot they choose rather than at table spots--we're almost there! We've done it before, but whenever a routine starts to not go well, we practice until expectations are solidly in place once again. For independent reading (read to self), that means staying in one place and quietly reading for the duration of the reading block.
I've tried to make our classroom literacy environment much like a home environment where a love for reading is fostered. In such a home, kids have many books to choose from--whether from the library or the home collection. Reading happens often--alone and with others, and there is lots of conversation about the books. Reading happens in comfortable places, often on a couch or a special chair, or snuggled in bed at bedtime. While a classroom will never be the same as home, my hope is that children will leave kindergarten identifying themselves as readers, no matter where they are in terms of reading level.
Yesterday was "cozy pajama day" in our classroom. Students had opportunities throughout the day to read with their stuffed animal friends with a blanket, in a spot of their choice. They could also choose any books to read. Once everyone got settled in to read (I had to put a stop to building blanket forts--as fun as it was, it distracted the group from being on task), students were able to focus and keep reading for quite a while! At various points throughout the day, students chose to read alone, in small groups, and with partners. Most spread out their blankets and brought a pile of books to their special spots. Many ate a snack while reading (remember, this was a very special day!).
In our normal classroom routines, students also have choices in their reading. After reading their on-level ('good fit') book bag books, they can browse book basket books on the tables. Currently, book bag books are teacher selected, though that will be changing soon as I have acquired more texts for our classroom leveled library (yay!!!). I believe strongly that student choice in books has a direct correlation with reading motivation and achievement. Soon, students will be able to "book shop" for their own book bag books using the acronym "I PICK." More on that later. :) Also, throughout the day, when students finish an assignment early, they can peruse our many classroom books and find a book to sit with and enjoy.
In terms of comfort while reading, students are currently doing independent reading time at table spots, but partner reading time happens throughout the room. We have found that it's easier for most to stay focused at table spots when doing "read to self" time, but when reading with a friend, finding a spot away from others is beneficial. Also, many partnerships like to lay on the floor or sit in cozy nooks. I'm eager to get to a point in our class when students can sustain focus on their independent reading job in a spot they choose rather than at table spots--we're almost there! We've done it before, but whenever a routine starts to not go well, we practice until expectations are solidly in place once again. For independent reading (read to self), that means staying in one place and quietly reading for the duration of the reading block.
I've tried to make our classroom literacy environment much like a home environment where a love for reading is fostered. In such a home, kids have many books to choose from--whether from the library or the home collection. Reading happens often--alone and with others, and there is lots of conversation about the books. Reading happens in comfortable places, often on a couch or a special chair, or snuggled in bed at bedtime. While a classroom will never be the same as home, my hope is that children will leave kindergarten identifying themselves as readers, no matter where they are in terms of reading level.
Here are some photos from our cozy pajama reading day. It's pretty obvious that students enjoyed this experience. I did too! Be sure to scroll down to the end of this post for an important reading tip/reminder!
So, here's the tip and an important reminder--make sure to read with your child every day, for at least 20 minutes. Make it special--comfortable and cozy. Help foster a positive attitude about reading by making it enjoyable. Your reading time at home pays off tremendously! Check out this "infographic" about reading at home 20 minutes per day.