Cozy Independent Reading
What is your favorite way to read a book? If you are like me, I like to sit on the couch with a soft blanket, a hot cup of coffee, and a big pillow (or dog!). I like there to be quiet classical music playing softly in the background. I like to have the lights dim and then I am in the reading zone.
I wanted to try to recreate as many of those attributes as possible for the students. I know they can not have every part (sorry dogs!), but they can have some. That is why I was so excited when I learned that every day students had a time to independently read in the classroom.
Ms. Rebecca has created a wonderful small group/independent work daily schedule. After a whole group skills lesson, students are given a to-do list of three to four tasks. When students complete the first few tasks, which are connected to the skills lesson as independent work, as well as a weekly cursive letter, they are allowed to independently read a book of their choice.
The daily to-do list (Thanks again, Ms. Rebecca!) includes the group of students who are invited to the front of the classroom to read that day. The kids love to read on the rug and stretch out. To make their reading experience more enjoyable and comfortable, I brought in a few pillows, blankets and stuffed animals. They are allowed to take any of those items and read quietly on the rug until our skills time is finished. Also the stuffed animals are actually book characters from various books like The Diary of a Wimpy Kid, or Pete the Cat. The students enjoy placing a stuffed animal in their lap while they read. Some like to place it next to them like the stuffed animal is also reading. I also play light music in the background without words and dim the lights and let our large windows with beautiful natural light do their magic.
When skills is finished the students on the rug for that day quietly fold the blankets and put the other items away and then return to their seats. I was excited to see how much the students enjoyed the cozy independent read time. I think the reading on the rug is fun and also reminds students that reading feels good. It makes them feel calm, happy, and excited to keep reading. I plan to keep making reading feel fun, and always cozy.
