Reading Challenges

Last year I ditched traditional Reading Logs because my students weren't completing them nor were they engaged with their reading at home. My goal is to always create a love for literacy; not to make reading a chore or a job. I also understand that kids spend all day at school. They deserve to go home and play outside with their friends. My hope with creating Reading Challenges is that kids would go home and complete them while having fun and making it their own.

Every Friday a new challenge went home and it was due the following Friday. Most challenges were just a one week challenge however, some were 2-3 weeks depending on the length of the challenge. My students knew that as soon as they finished, they could bring it back and get another one. For every Reading Challenge that they returned, they received a star by their name. Once they had 4 stars next to their name, they received the "Radical Reader Reward". On their reward, they could choose something they would like to do the following day such as bring a stuffy to school, no shoes for the day, inside recess with a friend, show & tell, etc.

My students loved the Reading Challenges; not only did I get feedback from my students about them, but I had parents letting me know how much they loved them! They were successful in completing the challenges all year long.

Here is what a few of our challenges looked like:




Keep in mind, these challenges were made for 2nd graders and suited my students for that year. You may have to adjust some of the challenges and the rewards depending on the grade that you teach.

How do you make reading fun at home for your students? I am always looking for new ideas and I would love to hear about it!