[teachnbehappy]

I would really appreciate some suggestions on what to do for nightly reading in my third grade classroom. I used a reading log this past year that required the parent/guardian to sign after the child had read for the night, verifying it. I found that the kids weren't reading and that parents were just "signing off". I also had a problem with them reading books that weren't on their level. So I need some ideas of what would be a good, MEANINGFUL, nightly reading assignment that required some type of verification other than a parent signature.

I thought about making them read an AR book every night and take a test the next day to verify it and get some points...but I just feel like that is for the pure pleasure of AR. I also want them to read chapter books which would diminish that plan altogether.

I guess my main questions are these:

1. What are some good nightly reading assignments?

2. How do you incorporate AR into your classroom?

Thank you soooo much in advance!

[Sasha B]

Last year I assigned a minute goal of 100 minutes a week. I give the reading log on Monday and it is due back the following Monday. This year I am going to ask them to respond about one book read. I will attach the reading log I am thinking of using. I based it on one that was posted on PT but changed it to fit my needs. I like that they have a choice to read when it fits their schedule.

[laurenta]

Here's how I do AR in my third grade classroom:
Students are required to read for twenty minutes every night. This is free choice. They have a reading log and parents are to initial this reading log. (Are you going to have parents who sign off whether their kid reads or not? Sure! They are only hurting themselves and... guess what they aren't fooling me!).
The students have a goal of 2.5 pts. a week and 85% or higher each week. I have a parent volunteer call each student up one by one to fill out a weekly AR record form. The form basically says my weekly points are ______ and my percent is ______. Parents must sign that each week. If the student reaches this goal the child gets a sticker on his/her incentive card. When the incentive card is filled he/she gets to have lunch in the classroom with me and everyone else that filled their card that month.
The students have a MONTHLY goal of 10 points and 85%. At the end of the month the chidren who reach this get to be invited to the AR REWARD MOVIE. Basically three teachers and I do this. We rotate "jobs" each month. Each month one teacher shows the movie, one teacher keeps the children who didn't reach their goal (and they read), and one teacher gets planning time for the afternoon! The kids are very motivated to be a part of this push to make that goal!
As for kids reading below their zone I am very strict about this. At the beginning of the year when AR begins we talk about following rules and that it is basically cheating if you read below your zone without permission. You can quickly see the average zone a child has read in on the reports. So when in doubt pull those up. Good luck!

[beachmom]

Sasha I really love your log...do you have it in word. I thought about changing the last part. I have a reading response log sheet and thought about telling them to write something from that. Thanks in advance

[beachaudrey25]

Thanks so much for posting! I had the same problem last year with my reading logs. I think this will be a great suggestion, especially since they only have to complete one response!

[Sasha B]

Here is the reading log in Word.

I like that they only complete one response because I'm hoping for a higher quality response. Also, some kids read five days a week and other kids get their reading done in one night. It wouldn't really be fair for one student to write five responses and the other to only write one.

[gottaread]

I can't open the word version of the log. Anyone else?

[teachermo]

It is a word docx format you need word 2007?

[teachn3-4me]

I opened it with no problems...thanks for sharing-I've needed to revamp the one I have used.

[MrsM79]

Your reading response log sounds interesting...would you be willing to share? TIA!

[erinsmom]

What do you do if a student returns the form without a parent signature?

[teachnbehappy]

This is an awesome set up. I like that students can work reading into their schedule. It kind of makes reading less of a "chore" for them. Thank you so much for sharing.

[Sasha B]

I usually highlight the missing signature and assign a grade, but I don't take off points for this. It is usually not the child's fault. If the child is not turning in a log or has an incomplete log then I will try to get in touch with the parents to discuss the issue.

[beachaudrey25]

I love your reading log however I teach fourth grade. When I tried to open the Word version everything was on top of each other. I don't know how to fix it! I just wanted to change the word "third" to "fourth".
Thanks so much!!