Figuring out how to keep students engaged in learning until the last minute on the last day of school? I know you have lots of tricks in your back pocket. Just want to put in a good word for immersing your students in “free reading” of high-interest nonfiction. Below I’ve shared some tips and a few favorite authors & titles.
A few tips
- Make a grand display with dozens of books. The photo above is from a third grade classroom (thanks, Cate), but you could do this in any classroom grades k-8, huh?
- Book talk titles and read aloud a few pages.
- Stand in a circle and do a book pass. Ask students to stand in pairs in a large circle. Give every pair a book. Set your timer. They browse and chat for thirty seconds and then pass the book to their left (or right). After their done, they choose a favorite to keep reading (with a partner or independently.)
- Help students find books they’d be interested in.
- Encourage students to engage in quick, informal conversations with their peers about what they liked about or learned from a book.
- Find books at the public library. I know a lot of librarians are taking inventory. If you need books, raid the public library shelves. You don’t have to look for specific authors. Find the shelf with frog books and take them all!
- Most importantly – encourage the students to have fun–talking, sharing, reading, learning.
Which books to choose
Your librarian (if you are blessed with one) knows more than me so definitely check in with them! You can also find books I’ve recommended on Instagram – @sunday.cummins
Hope this helps.
S
UPDATED JANUARY 2025
