Step by Step Guide to Using Year Long, Editable Reading Logs
We’ve talked about how students can only become stronger readers by reading. And we’ve talked about how providing students with choice builds enthusiasm for reading as well as reading stamina. And of course, we’ve talked about how traditional reading logs do little to support goals for student reading.
If you’ve read the blog posts linked above, you know why I developed a new kind of reading log. And you know what a difference it made with my students. My year-long editable reading logs are available in my TPT store. I have them available for 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades.
I wanted to walk you through how to use these reading logs. Click below to watch the video. I’ll also take you through the steps below.
Downloading the reading log
Once you’ve made your purchase, download the zip file. When you open it up, you’ll find two PDFs inside.
Start with the PDF titled “start here.” You’ll find two pages of resource notes that give you some background information about the logs themselves and tell you what’s included.
You’ll also see a page that has a link to the editable version of the resource. When you click on this link, you’ll be prompted to make a copy of the document. Simply make a copy and you’re ready to use the resource.
You’ll see a page on terms of use that also includes information about how to connect with me.
One last thing before we jump into the resource. If you’ve ever purchased anything from me, I’d love it if you’d leave a rating. Not only does your feedback help me create new resources or make improvements to existing resources, it also earns you credits toward future TPT purchases!
Walking through the reading log
The reading log itself has two pages you can copy front to back. The first page has the week # on it as well as space for Monday’s reading homework.
For the second page, I’ve provided options to allow you to choose what works best for you and your students. If you assign reading homework Monday-Thursday, simply choose the second page that includes Tuesday-Thursday. If you assign reading homework all five days, choose the second page that includes Friday.
If you would rather label your days, “Day 1,” “Day 2,” etc., instead of the days of the week, there are pages inside the resource that give you that option as well.
How students use the log
Each time a student reads, they will respond to a specific question – a question they choose.
Students will:
Look over the grid.
Choose a question to answer.
Find the number for the question.
Write the number and their response on the log.
I’ve kept this resource easy for you and your students to use. There’s not much for them to turn in and not much for you to pass out each week.
Each week’s logs are formatted the same way. This means you can walk through how to use it with your students one time and then put it on repeat for the rest of the year.
Each week you’ll see:
Four choices for fiction questions
Four choices for non-fiction questions
Free choice
Regardless of what your students are reading throughout the week, there will always be a question they can apply to their text.
When you model using the reading log with your students, give them a few examples of how they could respond to the questions and guidelines around what you consider appropriate responses.
Why I love this reading log format
This resource provides students with multiple opportunities to choose!
Students choose what they read.
Students choose what question to respond to.
Students choose the order they want to respond.
The number one reason I love this reading log format is the feedback I receive from students and parents. No more dread over reading homework. These logs are easy to use and give the students the power over their own reading choices.
I’ll walk you through an example now.
A student decides to respond to question F1 for Monday. They’ll read and then respond to the question. On the log, in the space for Monday, the student will write “F1” and then their response.
These questions work regardless of the genre of the book a student is reading. For example, the question could be, “What was your biggest reading win this week?”
No two logs are the same. Your students won’t get bored because they’re not responding to the same questions week after week.
Walking through the editable version
The editable version of the reading log resource works the same way. Let’s quickly review the things you can and can’t change in this version.
You can edit:
The text on the response page.
The number of responses on the second page.
Directions on the reading log.
The wording of the questions.
You cannot edit:
The graphics
The format
I hope you’ll enjoy using these reading logs with your students as much as I did! I think you’ll be excited to see what a difference it makes when you provide students with choices.
Interested in more support for reading instruction? I have a ton of reading, spelling, and writing resources.
Check out my collection of blog posts and resources here.
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