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How to motivate your students to read

April 6, 2016 By Rachel 1 Comment

We know that the more time kids spend reading, the better they will do in school and in life!
There’s not much we can do to help kids read at home, except hope that they do.  But we can make sure they read during school!!

How to motivate students to read? Need an easy idea to help motivate your students to read during independent reading time?  Flashlight Friday is an easy, quick idea to implement tomorrow!

I shared 4 ways I structure my independent reading time on this blog post. This helps my readers stay actively engaged during silent reading time, but sometimes it’s hard to keep them motivated to actually read for 25-30 minutes each day.  So I like to start each year talking about real reading vs fake reading.
Real vs. Fake Reading Anchor Chart
{source}

We also talk about stamina and how we have to build up to reading 25 minutes.  I don’t expect my students to be able to read the entire time the first time we do this.  It’s something we practice all year.  
Stamina Anchor Chart for Independent Reading
{source}

But I came across the great idea from my friend Joanne from Head Over Heels For Teaching that has been a big hit this year!  Flashlight Friday!  We set a goal each week of how long we want to read.  Because let’s be honest, some weeks are busier than others and we don’t always have the time.  If we meet our goal, we celebrate with Flashlight Friday.
How to motivate your students to ready? Use Flashlight Friday as an incentive. Read blog for more details www.rachelatalldrinkofwater.com
I bought these finger lights from the Dollar Tree. They come 5 to a pack.
Flashlight Friday - Use finger lights during independent reading!  www.rachelatalldrinkofwater.com
On Friday, during our silent reading time, we turn the lights off and everyone reads with their finger light!
How to motivate your students to ready? Use Flashlight Friday as an incentive. Read blog for more details www.rachelatalldrinkofwater.com
It has quickly become one of our favorite times of the week!  What do you do to motivate your students to read?

  • Rachel
  • Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Reading

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    1. Unknown says

      April 8, 2016 at 11:57 PM

      One of our 3rd grade teachers does this and they love it.

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    Rachel | 4th Grade Teacher
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