Reading Spots

Want to add a surprise to reading time? Do you want your kids to be even more focused on reading? Well stay tuned to this commercial post, and you'll see what maybe you can add to your classroom!

Ok, infomercial aside, the great thing about being a sub is that I can see all the different things that teachers do in different schools and grades. And I've picked up a few great ideas to motivate kids reading. Because even with Daily 5, I think the hardest part of reading, from what I've observed, is reading to self. The kids have sit in one spot and not talk, focus on their books, and build stamina. And I don't know about you, but for the younger ones, that can be rough, especially in kindergarten.

I've seen several things that I'd love to try in a class some day and they mostly involve a comfy reading spot.
The kinder class I was in the last two days had three spots that kids really wanted to read by. One was under a tree in camping chairs, one was by a bulletin board fire place, and the third was a playhouse.

Now I know not everyone can be as lucky as Kimberly from Funky First Grade Fun and get a volunteer who makes an actual fireplace and mantle (If I was in her class, I'd never want to leave it!), but a bulletin board fireplace can work too. It can either be made out of butcher paper or some places sell it in a kit.

Bailey Bear modeling

Sideways sorry! Tree and camping chair.

The purple pillow in above picture is one of 8 pillows that can also add comfort to the reading spot.

The house the kids all wanted to be in is very neat. They can color it!

Um, can I play in there?! I found this on Overstock.com for $27.99.

In another classroom, the teacher motivates students by having a traveling school bus stop and visit the students that are focusing hard on building their stamina. It moves every 5 minutes or so, but boy are those first graders excited when the bus gets pulled out! It's a foldable play tent.

Those kids aren't reading! Lol.

In another classroom, in front of the library was a beautiful canopy tent, hanging from the ceiling.

Something similar to this. And I am totally already figuring on how to make one myself..just need mosquito netting or tulle, a hula hoop or a foam tube from my friend's hardware store (I think they are under $2) , and some ribbon...I'm thinking way cheaper than the $30-$50+ I see in the stores.

There has also been a leaf the kids sit under:

Found from Ikea

I'm not done yet! I've also seen a teepee.

The kids sure love reading in there with a flashlight!

I've also seen a small pup tent.

And I saved the best for last. The best place that I have seen for kids to read (in my opinion!) was an old fashioned claw tub filled with pillows. And the tub was painted purple! Oh the kids kicked off their shoes and 3 could fit in it and they loved reading in there. This was a second grade classroom that had this.

So there you have it! Fun and cozy places to read that are special. And it does help motivate some kids. It doesn't have to be as fancy as a canopy, it can be a simple as a few bean bags under a cozy light. The kids will love it!