Reading for grades 1 to 3 with MSTA's Reading Circle

This guest post is from School Librarian and MSTA Reading Circle Chair, Brenda Steffens, and is the third in our series (you can read the previous posts here and here). 

The goal of the Reading Circle is to encourage children to read and to love reading.  A quote we use is “There is no substitute for books in the life of children” by Mary Ann Chase and that sums up the purpose of the MSTA Reading Circle. Today we are going to talk about ways to encourage students in grades 1-3 to read.  Picture books are great for read alouds and for students to read. 

The Missouri Association of School Librarians sponsors the Missouri Show Me Readers Award program.  This program has a list of 10 books where students read or have read to them six titles and they may vote in March for their favorite book. At this web site, you may also download activity booklet with activities to go along with each book.

Some big events to celebrate throughout the year so that you can add excitement to reading:

1.  Read for the Record will take place September 27-October 4 Read for the Record is one week of the year when millions of individuals come together to celebrate literacy and support Jumpstart in its efforts to promote early childhood education. During this week, people across the country will be encouraged to read the children’s book Ladybug Girl and the Bug Squad, by David Soman and Jacky Davis, in support of Jumpstart’s mission to work towards the day that every child in America enters school prepared to succeed. If you do not have the book, don’t worry, you can go to We Give Books and may read the book online. There are also activities to go along with this celebration.
2. Caterpillar Day—March 20 or the first day of spring.  Read the Very Hungry Caterpillar and celebrate spring.
3. Piggie Day—March 1—Celebrate this day by reading Elephant and Piggie books by Mo Willems.  There are a ton of activities that you can do to celebrate this day.
4. Friendiversary Day—February 7 –A Friendiversary, of course, is the anniversary of a friendship. Mo Willems came up with this holiday to celebrate the friendships of Elephant and Piggie.
5. Talk Like A Pirate Day—September 19—Read How I Became a Pirate by Melinda Long
6. Read a Child a book you Like Day—September 28
7. Picture Book Month—November—Click here for more information.
8. Dr. Seuss’s Birthday—March 2

I hope some of these ideas can help your students to become life long readers. Next time we will cover 4-6^th grades. Happy Reading!