Welcome to the last step in my series, Raising Devoted Readers. (If you missed the first four steps, catch up with this article.) Reading was not getting the priority is deserved in our home until we got really proactive about it. Reading is a skill, just like any sport or hobby, and it takes practice. A Home Reading Workshop is the best way we’ve found to practice our reading skills. My kids are learning to talk about books, form opinions about books, and mostly they’re learning to read some really excellent books. I’ve done a lot of research about helping kids become better readers, and I’m basing our Home Reading Workshop off the school reading seminars described in The Reading Zone, by Nancie Atwell. I strongly recommend this book! Although it is written for classroom teachers, I found a wealth of useful information to use in our home. Parents are some of the most important teachers in a child’s life, after all. |
Here’s how we run a Home Reading Workshop in our family. It takes about an hour total, and it’s my favorite sixty minutes of every summer day: (You can print this schedule and all other tools you need to run a home reading workshop in this FREE reading packet)
Book Talk 10 min
Read aloud 15 min
Silent Read 30 min
5-10 min – Write in reading journal OR continue reading
Book Talk (10 min) –This is just an optional time to casually and socially discuss the joy of reading. Sometimes we skip this part, and sometimes we stretch it to 20 minutes depending on the day. Just take turns each day and make sure everyone gets a chance to join in the book talks. Options for book talks are:
Reading Smarts: This is when I share cool facts and insights about reading. Show your kids any new statistics, ideas, or reading strategies you learn about.
Show and Tell: Let kids take the spotlight for a few minutes and share something exciting from a book they are reading. Or let them share something they wrote themselves, like a poem or story.
Book teasers: These can be given by you or your kids. A book teaser is where you give a mini review about a book you enjoyed or a new book that you think looks interesting.
If you’ve read the book, you can rate it and describe it. Kids should regularly give book teasers and share their opinion on what books they’re reading. It’s important for kids to become invested readers who form opinions about authors, plots, writing styles, genres, etc. Knowing about these things and having the chance to talk about them is what makes kids feel excited about reading.
If you’re giving a book teaser about a book you haven’t read yet, just explain why it appeals to you. (Perhaps you like the author, the back descriptions sounds amazing, it won an award, etc.)
The goal is to get your kids energized about the books that are presented so they will want to read them. Book teasers should be about 3 minutes long, giving time for multiple people to share their book thoughts each day.
Read Aloud (15 min) – I choose a novel that is of interest to all the boys, and read to them for fifteen minutes. The book we just started was How to Eat Fried Worms.
Want to know why we read aloud? There are many reasons, but here are a few:
Kids read less the older they get. This fact has been shown again and again on literacy studies. And interestingly, the very age that most kids stop reading for pleasure is the same age that most kids stop being read to. Author Jim Trelease says, “By middle school, almost no one is reading to [their kids anymore.]” This could explain why the joy of reading starts to fade for kids.
Trelease goes on to explain that, “Human beings are pleasure-centered. This means we choose to eat the foods we like, listen to the music we like, and visit the friends we like. Conversely, we avoid the food, music, and people we dislike. Far from being a theory, this is a physiological fact. We approach what causes pleasure, and we withdraw from what causes displeasure or pain. Every time you read to a child, you’re sending a “pleasure” message to the child’s brain, conditioning it to associate books and print with pleasure.”
Another great reason to read aloud to kids is that it helps them absorb more challenging books. When kids are read to, they can comprehend books that are 2 grade levels higher than books they read silently. So while it’s important for kids to master the skill of reading independently, reading aloud gives them a chance to experience books with greater depth. And, they have a grownup there to help them when they come across words or concepts that are beyond their comprehension.
Silent Reading (30 min) – This is when the magic happens. The room must be quiet and free from distraction. The books much be quality books! If you need help finding good books for your kids, have them take this reading questionnaire to get some ideas.
If you have younger kids who are not reading on their own yet, take them in another room and read to them or play quietly so the older kids can have a quiet space to lose themselves in their books. If you don’t have younger children calling for your attention, this is your time to read along with your older kids. Grab a book and get lost in the pages. It’s so good for kids to see you enjoying a book.
My kids will often gasp or call for my attention when something exciting happens in their books. I give a big thumbs up and mouth, “wow!” before we return to our books, waiting to share the details of our stories until silent reading time is over.
Journal or continued reading – For the last 5-10 minutes, the kids can continue reading if they want. Or, they can choose to write in their reading journal. Reading journals should have at least three sections.
Section1: A list of books your child finished reading. Have them rate the books they read. (1-5 stars) Also have them list books they tried but abandoned. This will help you keep track of what books are and are not working for your child.
Section 2: A list of books your child wants to read in the future.
Section 3: Open space for your child to write. They can write predictions for what they think will happen next in their book. They can write a book review about a book they finished. They can even choose to write creatively, developing their own story or characters. Or, they can just journal about life.
Be Prepared—When reading time is over and the books go back on the shelf, expect some great discussions. After you’ve lost yourself in a book for thirty minutes, it’s exciting to share your adventures with others and hear about the adventures they had in their reading.
Reading Workshop Rules – I printed these rules and I always display them during our reading time. (Print them for FREE in my helpful reading packet)
1. Shhh! Keep it quiet so everyone can enjoy the reading zone.
2. Give books a fair try – read at least three chapters before abandoning a book.
3. Please don’t ask when the time is up. Don’t worry about time or anything else—just let yourself melt into the reading zone.
4. Feel free to choose from substance books or veggie books during reading workshop. Candy books can be read later. (Choosing good books is step two of the reading plan. Read more about candy, substance, and veggie books here.)
We just finished our first week doing these five steps, and I’ll be honest--it was a rough start. Despite all my efforts to be prepared and make the experience positive, my kids really rebelled for the first few days. But I stood firm, and by day three things were already going better. My kids are cruising through some great books and getting excited to contribute to the book talks next week. I’ll sprinkle in some posts about our experience as the summer goes on.
Be in touch and let me know how it works for you too. I would love to hear about how Home Reading Workshops go in your home, along with any extra tweaks or ideas that you try.
Subscribe if you want to receive these future articles:
15 Simple Ideas To Help You Raise Devoted Readers – little habits that make a big difference
A Book is a Book— so does it really matter what you read? (Yes) Plus, the fiction vs. nonfiction debate.
Reading and Brain Function
Does it Really Matter how long you read? (Yes!)
Books Vs Screens—the debate, the answers, and how to find balance.
Blah Blah Blah – the nasty condition of being overfed and malnourished with mental
junkfood
Choice – Should kids get to choose their own books? (Yes, kind of.) Plus, more on the
the three types of books – Candy, Substance, and Veggie
Reading Revolution – Taking a Stand and Calling for Change in Our School District and Community
Reading Challenges – Helping reluctant readers and those with learning disabilities.
Book Talk 10 min
Read aloud 15 min
Silent Read 30 min
5-10 min – Write in reading journal OR continue reading
Book Talk (10 min) –This is just an optional time to casually and socially discuss the joy of reading. Sometimes we skip this part, and sometimes we stretch it to 20 minutes depending on the day. Just take turns each day and make sure everyone gets a chance to join in the book talks. Options for book talks are:
Reading Smarts: This is when I share cool facts and insights about reading. Show your kids any new statistics, ideas, or reading strategies you learn about.
Show and Tell: Let kids take the spotlight for a few minutes and share something exciting from a book they are reading. Or let them share something they wrote themselves, like a poem or story.
Book teasers: These can be given by you or your kids. A book teaser is where you give a mini review about a book you enjoyed or a new book that you think looks interesting.
If you’ve read the book, you can rate it and describe it. Kids should regularly give book teasers and share their opinion on what books they’re reading. It’s important for kids to become invested readers who form opinions about authors, plots, writing styles, genres, etc. Knowing about these things and having the chance to talk about them is what makes kids feel excited about reading.
If you’re giving a book teaser about a book you haven’t read yet, just explain why it appeals to you. (Perhaps you like the author, the back descriptions sounds amazing, it won an award, etc.)
The goal is to get your kids energized about the books that are presented so they will want to read them. Book teasers should be about 3 minutes long, giving time for multiple people to share their book thoughts each day.
Read Aloud (15 min) – I choose a novel that is of interest to all the boys, and read to them for fifteen minutes. The book we just started was How to Eat Fried Worms.
Want to know why we read aloud? There are many reasons, but here are a few:
Kids read less the older they get. This fact has been shown again and again on literacy studies. And interestingly, the very age that most kids stop reading for pleasure is the same age that most kids stop being read to. Author Jim Trelease says, “By middle school, almost no one is reading to [their kids anymore.]” This could explain why the joy of reading starts to fade for kids.
Trelease goes on to explain that, “Human beings are pleasure-centered. This means we choose to eat the foods we like, listen to the music we like, and visit the friends we like. Conversely, we avoid the food, music, and people we dislike. Far from being a theory, this is a physiological fact. We approach what causes pleasure, and we withdraw from what causes displeasure or pain. Every time you read to a child, you’re sending a “pleasure” message to the child’s brain, conditioning it to associate books and print with pleasure.”
Another great reason to read aloud to kids is that it helps them absorb more challenging books. When kids are read to, they can comprehend books that are 2 grade levels higher than books they read silently. So while it’s important for kids to master the skill of reading independently, reading aloud gives them a chance to experience books with greater depth. And, they have a grownup there to help them when they come across words or concepts that are beyond their comprehension.
Silent Reading (30 min) – This is when the magic happens. The room must be quiet and free from distraction. The books much be quality books! If you need help finding good books for your kids, have them take this reading questionnaire to get some ideas.
If you have younger kids who are not reading on their own yet, take them in another room and read to them or play quietly so the older kids can have a quiet space to lose themselves in their books. If you don’t have younger children calling for your attention, this is your time to read along with your older kids. Grab a book and get lost in the pages. It’s so good for kids to see you enjoying a book.
My kids will often gasp or call for my attention when something exciting happens in their books. I give a big thumbs up and mouth, “wow!” before we return to our books, waiting to share the details of our stories until silent reading time is over.
Journal or continued reading – For the last 5-10 minutes, the kids can continue reading if they want. Or, they can choose to write in their reading journal. Reading journals should have at least three sections.
Section1: A list of books your child finished reading. Have them rate the books they read. (1-5 stars) Also have them list books they tried but abandoned. This will help you keep track of what books are and are not working for your child.
Section 2: A list of books your child wants to read in the future.
Section 3: Open space for your child to write. They can write predictions for what they think will happen next in their book. They can write a book review about a book they finished. They can even choose to write creatively, developing their own story or characters. Or, they can just journal about life.
Be Prepared—When reading time is over and the books go back on the shelf, expect some great discussions. After you’ve lost yourself in a book for thirty minutes, it’s exciting to share your adventures with others and hear about the adventures they had in their reading.
Reading Workshop Rules – I printed these rules and I always display them during our reading time. (Print them for FREE in my helpful reading packet)
1. Shhh! Keep it quiet so everyone can enjoy the reading zone.
2. Give books a fair try – read at least three chapters before abandoning a book.
3. Please don’t ask when the time is up. Don’t worry about time or anything else—just let yourself melt into the reading zone.
4. Feel free to choose from substance books or veggie books during reading workshop. Candy books can be read later. (Choosing good books is step two of the reading plan. Read more about candy, substance, and veggie books here.)
We just finished our first week doing these five steps, and I’ll be honest--it was a rough start. Despite all my efforts to be prepared and make the experience positive, my kids really rebelled for the first few days. But I stood firm, and by day three things were already going better. My kids are cruising through some great books and getting excited to contribute to the book talks next week. I’ll sprinkle in some posts about our experience as the summer goes on.
Be in touch and let me know how it works for you too. I would love to hear about how Home Reading Workshops go in your home, along with any extra tweaks or ideas that you try.
Subscribe if you want to receive these future articles:
15 Simple Ideas To Help You Raise Devoted Readers – little habits that make a big difference
A Book is a Book— so does it really matter what you read? (Yes) Plus, the fiction vs. nonfiction debate.
Reading and Brain Function
Does it Really Matter how long you read? (Yes!)
Books Vs Screens—the debate, the answers, and how to find balance.
Blah Blah Blah – the nasty condition of being overfed and malnourished with mental
junkfood
Choice – Should kids get to choose their own books? (Yes, kind of.) Plus, more on the
the three types of books – Candy, Substance, and Veggie
Reading Revolution – Taking a Stand and Calling for Change in Our School District and Community
Reading Challenges – Helping reluctant readers and those with learning disabilities.