Before the reading log goes home

Students become stronger readers by reading. There are no shortcuts and no other paths to get there. Teachers need a way to hold students accountable for getting their reading practice in.

The result? Reading logs. 

Traditional reading logs have a bad reputation. Students don’t like them. Parents don’t like them. And teachers are often frustrated when logs are not filled out properly or at all. We can all agree that there needs to be a better way to encourage students to read and keep track of that reading. A way that doesn’t involve students sitting next to a timer, waiting for it to go off. 

Work together in the classroom, building reading stamina and trust before those reading logs ever go home.

Build Trust While Building Reading Stamina

Research proves that the more a child reads, the more they will be successful in school and other areas of life. It’s just that important. 

I used to assign reading homework the traditional way. Students were required to read a certain number of minutes each night and have their log signed by an adult. The logs were turned in to me at the end of the week. 

What could go wrong with a system used by so many teachers for so long? Plenty. Students didn’t complete assignments correctly, I had to send notes home when logs were returned unsigned, students “fudged” their reading times over and over. It was clear I needed to do something else. 

My students needed to trust me. They needed to believe it was possible to read for more than 20 minutes without getting bored or wanting to give up. I taught them about the importance of sustained independent reading and we practiced reading stamina together as a class. 

I couldn’t simply tell my students they could read independently for 20 minutes or more without a timer. I had to show them. So, we practiced. A lot. 

Students came to learn how much they could read in a set amount of time – one student might be able to get through about three chapters in a longer book or two short picture books. Once they got to know themselves better as readers, there was no need for a timer.

Build trust by giving choices

Students also learned that trust is a responsibility. I began trusting them with small choices in the classroom. They were able to choose their seat, their partner, or their work in a center. We practiced making these decisions until they were reading for bigger, more important choices. 

After several weeks of building stamina and trust with each other, it was time for the reading logs to go home. 

These were not the same reading logs I’d sent home in the past. 

What was missing? Timers and signature lines.

What was new? Choices! 

I provided students with options in how they responded and included different choices - questions appropriate for fiction and nonfiction texts. Each night, students were expected to read for a short time (typically 20 minutes) and then choose one of the prompts from the log to respond to. 

Students appreciated having the choice of how to respond each night. This helped make the task feel less “required.”

Did the new reading logs make a difference?

This new reading log did more than just give students choices. It allowed me to see if they were able to select appropriate responses and answer them fully while practicing necessary skills. 

The year I implemented the new reading log, I saw drastic results. The mutual trust we had built led to less fibbing, more authentic responses, and – best of all – the transfer of practiced skills in their classwork! 

I created reading logs for 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades. You can see them in my TPT store here. Head there to preview the logs and hear from teachers like this one who have put this system into practice. 

"I was looking for a nightly reading log that allowed for student accountability but was more than just a sign and return form.  And, if possible, it would have skill-based activities that my students could work on independently at home.  This wonderful resource meets all those criteria.  I love how this varies every week.  Thank you so much."  

Interested in more support for reading instruction? Find more posts on reading, writing, spelling, and more here.

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