How to Make Silent Reading Fun
- nilsenlindsey
- Oct 11, 2023
- 2 min read
When I was a kid silent reading was my favorite time of the school day. I know that that isn't the case with all students though.
When I was teaching sure, I had those avid readers who would sit at their desks, nose buried in a book and happy as a lark during silent reading time. But what I had more of were kids pretending to read, trying to talk to others, drawing, or sleeping. YIKES!
I knew I needed to think outside the box of what silent reading was when I was a kid. So after some trial and error, these were my top three tricks for making silent reading fun!
Be Inclusive with what "Counts"
Silent reading doesn't have to look like students sitting rode straight at their desks with their noses in books. It's 2023! Reading comes in all shapes and sizes these days!
Try including the following options:
Audiobooks
Podcasts
magazines
Comic books
digital books
Recipes
Letters
Offer a Share Time
Provide students with just a few minutes to share after reading time. This doesn't have to be every single day... I know your day is already full! Maybe start by trying a share day of the week!
Sharing Ideas:
Small groups
Partner
Whole class
Another teacher
Another class
Principal
Write a letter about what they read to a friend! This one sneaks in some writing!
Offer Cross Subject Relevant Texts
It's easier to read about something you already have some background knowledge in! If you're learning but plants in science offer plenty of texts about plants in your library. Before starting each new S.S. or science unit I would run to our school library and check out a bunch of books on our subject. My students always got super excited to see new books in the classroom!
I hope these ideas help make silent reading more fun for your students! Comment below with any other ideas!
Lindsey is a former elementary teacher with a passion for education. She loves supporting teachers and students with resources that make an impact on the lives of students!
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