Why Home Reading Programs are Important.

The secret to creating the best home reading program is building a love and excitement of reading. Not just for your students but with their families. I have been gathering knowledge and practicing the Science of Reading philosophies for a few years now. Recently, I have been reflecting on the changes. Pre-pandemic I had a reading log that families would fill out together. It had a quick check in on how much the student liked the book. After reading ten books and having a family member sign off we entered their name into a draw. It worked really well and kept engagement high.

Then Pandemic. We all know that was a mess, no more further comment needed. Now, I have had to reconsider how I look at doing this. With my current knowledge of S.O.R. and the best way for families to be spending their time. If they are willing to put in the effort, I want to give them the best bang for their buck.

So How is S.O.R. The Secret to the Best Home Reading Program?

We need to change the direction or at least I do. I’m ready. Changing my literacy centres, (so much work). Putting the final changes into my program so I am doing all I can to change the trajectory of my learners and how fast they become independent little readers. I want to include a home reading program and I am deciding how that looks. I feel like printed decodables, for sure. Which I love because yes it takes some time to make them but also fine if they don’t come back, less stress actually, overall.

Also, I think it would be cool to add some decodable words. A reading list that parents can access through Raz Kids, which our board supports. U.F.L.I. also has some great printable reading for home and school sheets that I will likely begin to incorporate. I want to do a few different things so the nightly choices feel good for families. Also, I don’t want the kids giving their parents a hard time because they don’t feel there is enough choice. The goal is to make it accessible for all students and include S.O.R. strategies in a fun and engaging way!

The Importance of Check-in’s and Incentives

Depending on your schools demographics it’s not alway a good assumption that families can afford to reward their children for reading or make this a priority. So I want to keep the reward process a key component of my home reading program. I would like to continue to incorporate a sheet that families can fill in to have their child entered into a monthly draw. I am thinking it will be more of a point system. Read the U.F.L.I. decodable get one ballet, read the decodable books, one ballet each, Read to your child get one ballet per book, all the good things. Once a month draw so it isn’t crazy expensive and builds the excitement.

I’m not encouraging anyone to spend their own money on prizes but your admin may encourage this choice and allow classroom expenses to be spent on such things. Or you could have the winner choose a special reward for the class. Extra play time, recess time etc… Possibly a spinning wheel on the board they spin like wheel a fortune, ha! The possibilities are endless and the readers are excited. Keep being amazing.

With Love, C.