I have a complicated relationship with reading logs. On one hand, I cherish the act of reading; on the other, I find the logs themselves to be a tedious task. In my experience, these charts often transform the joy of reading into a burdensome obligation. There’s constant reminders, unnecessary stress, and a lot of guessing about when each book was read—especially when one is engrossed in a captivating story.
However, I can appreciate the intention behind them. Educators aim to foster a love for reading at home, and these logs serve as a practical tool to encourage that. They can also instill a sense of accountability, I suppose.
Recently, I shared my conflicted feelings about reading logs, and an inspiring comment from a teacher caught my attention. Unlike traditional logs, this one has no restrictions on the type of literature to explore. Readers don’t track time spent reading or even jot down titles. The sole requirement? Just to read—anything they choose!
The reading log features a delightful list of engaging activities for children to check off as they complete them. For example, kids can enjoy a comic book, read a newspaper article, dive into a story while soaking in the tub, or even listen to an audiobook. They can read to a family pet or share tales with a neighbor.
This creative reading log was designed by Ava Thomas, an educator and literacy coach based in Denver. It emerged during her collaboration with an elementary school principal who was keen on implementing a new “no homework” policy throughout the school. Recognizing that reading is the most effective assignment for enhancing academic performance in young students, the principal enlisted Thomas’s help to create an open-ended and family-friendly reading log suitable for all grades.
Together, they crafted a reading log filled with practical and unique reading options for children. Unlike conventional logs, it doesn’t require students (or likely their parents) to keep track of reading minutes or book titles. Moreover, Thomas emphasized that teachers were instructed not to incentivize completion with rewards or tallies.
The response to this innovative reading log has been nothing short of amazing. Parents have expressed that the flexibility of the “menu” of options significantly eases the burden of a busy schedule, while teachers have reported an influx of positive feedback regarding the logs themselves. “Kids are thrilled with the activities and appreciate the involvement of their parents,” Thomas shared. “I’ve seen children choose options like reading in the bathtub, using a flashlight, or sharing stories with their pets.” What resonates most with her is when kids express gratitude for the chance to read alongside their parents.
Emily Rivera, a second-grade teacher in Texas, adopted this reading log after feeling frustrated with the typical weekly logs. A quick online search led her to Thomas’s alternative, and she immediately fell in love with it. “I was drawn to the variety and thought it might ignite excitement for reading at home, rather than making it feel like a chore,” she stated. As a mother herself, she understands the challenge of engaging children in reading. Positive feedback from parents has rolled in, noting that it encourages kids to read in creative ways and addresses issues some students face with limited access to books at home.
Students have shared their enthusiasm about the log, highlighting diverse ways they’ve read during the week—whether it’s reading to their stuffed animals, exploring menus at restaurants, or even reading signs while on car rides. Rivera believes it’s vital for kids to recognize that reading is all around them and doesn’t have to be a tedious task. This approach has clearly energized the students, helping them realize they read far more than they initially thought.
Thomas believes the simplicity of the alternative reading log promotes reading as a fulfilling activity. “We’re merely showcasing the habits of lifelong readers and offering choices. True readers don’t read for prizes or count pages; they read for pleasure, exploring various materials and enjoying the experience,” she explained.
The alternative reading log has not only encouraged children to read more but also appears to have eliminated the need for “parental nagging.” Thomas also conducts workshops titled “100 Ways to Raise a Reader,” which she has presented in over 120 schools, equipping parents with strategies to foster a love for reading in their children. Feedback from these sessions shows that kids are more inclined to read without needing prompting. Thomas experienced this firsthand with her own son, who surprised her by choosing to read in the car and continued at the doctor’s office, all without her usual encouragement.
Furthermore, the benefits of literacy extend to future generations. By encouraging families to read aloud in their preferred language, many parents who previously felt hesitant about affecting their child’s academic progress are now actively engaging with their children’s reading. Thomas shared a touching story about a Spanish-speaking mother who left her workshop inspired and later sent a photo of her husband reading with their children for the first time, an act they had never shared before.
Kudos to Thomas for her creativity and to teachers who are stepping outside traditional methods to promote literacy. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to print out some of Thomas’s alternate reading logs for my kids—and maybe even one for myself too. For those interested, you can find a printable version of the reading log available in both English and Spanish.
In summary, Ava Thomas’s alternative reading log transforms the traditional approach to reading assignments by offering flexibility and creativity. By encouraging children to engage with reading in various enjoyable ways, the log fosters a love for literacy and involves parents in their children’s reading journey.
Keyphrase: Alternative reading log
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