Teaching a Reader

1. D.E.A.R. (Drop Everything And Read). Stop everything for 10 minutes of uninterrupted class reading for everyone ... even the principal. This can expand to a school-wide activity. Set yearly goals and record your reading minutes.
2. Incorporate "student reader" time. Allow students to bring in a picture book and read it aloud to their class or a younger student. This promotes good reading and speaking skills.
3. Start a wall of books. Have students print their name and the title of each book they read on something artistic and display the "reading proof" creatively. Example: design a paper bookshelf on the wall. Add rectangles (book spines) with titles.
4. Create a class reading mascot. Example: purchase or make a bookworm or shelf elf. Name him or conduct a student reading contest for the right to name him. Incorporate mascot into all class subjects. Have mascot communicate with your students on bulletin board, blog, etc.
5. Dress as your favorite character. As a reward for students meeting reading goals, have a book character day. Make sure you dress as your favorite, too.
   
6. Have a library scavenger hunt. Give young readers a fun way to get to know their local or school library. Develop a scavenger hunt list specific to your library. When a student completes a hunt, give them a small reward such as a bookmark. This not only connects "fun" with "reading" but also educates a child about where to find their favorite books on the shelf.
   
7. (Book) cover your door. During March, celebrate Dr. Seuss' birthday by decorating your classroom door with your favorite Seuss book cover. Go one step further - challenge other teachers to a school-wide door decorating contest. Even better? Decorate your door with a different book cover every month (just make sure that particular book is available in the school library, so interested students have access to a copy to check out).