Celebrated each May since 1999, Get Caught Reading Month is a time to acknowledge the magic and power of books for kids of all ages. The event, supported by groups such as Association of American Publishers and the International Literacy Association, is the perfect opportunity to make a big deal about reading for fun. We’ve put together a list of ways to celebrate this awesome occasion in the classroom.
Readers’ theater is fun and flexible enough for almost any age group. Younger kids will enjoy the use of puppets and a tabletop puppet theater, while older kids can make their own props and set pieces. Or, you can keep it simple and just have different kids serve as the “voice” for various characters in a story. Repetitive books, like Brown Bear, Brown Bear, lend themselves well to pre-K and early elementary productions where each child can voice the part of a different animal. For more ideas, check out this comprehensive post by School Library Journal with tips and resources for scripts and suggested books.
Keep a small “treasure chest” or goodie box on hand with little prizes, such as bookmarks, fun erasers, or medals that you can bestow upon kids who “get caught reading.” Alternately, you can develop a points system by which kids can earn bookish rewards like free books or gift certificates to bookstores.
What better way to underscore the fun of any event than with a party? A memorable classroom party can be achieved on a budget, especially if you have a solid base of volunteers. Bring in guest readers, have a book character costume contest, host a photo booth where kids can recreate celebrity posters, or check out these other book-themed party ideas for a brilliant book bash.
What’s your favorite way to celebrate Get Caught Reading Month in the classroom?