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Keeping a Reading Log


© Heather Goldsmith

Dec 8, 2000


Another way to encourage your child to read is by keeping a reading log. This can be a fun method for stimulating their interest, especially when interest is flagging. Most schools use routine ways to note the titles and/or numbers of books read each term. Usually teachers request parents to sign these. If you haven't come across the idea before, here's a brief description.

A reading log is simply any suitable method of recording the books your child reads over a measured period of time. Say, over a school term, monthly or yearly. Teachers often introduce this to young students as a way to monitor if books sent home actually get read. Try to encourage children of all ages to keep a reading log. You can adapt a reading log to suit the age and skill level of each of your kids. Present the idea to your child. They're likely to find it appealing, especially if you give them choice in the design or creation of the log.

Younger children might appreciate a wall chart. Use stickers, gold stars or ink stamps on their favourite colour card to mark off each book as it's completed. Draw up lines for the chart in bright colours. Depending on their age, they can assist or even accomplish this themselves. Using collage, glitter, dried flowers, whatever, allow them to individualize their log. More independent kids might like to create and print a PC generated chart to stick up in a visible place. Older kids might prefer an exercise book or clipboard folder to keep their log. If they have their own computer, you might suggest they keep it there in a marked file. From basic to complex the idea should work for your child.

When they see how many books they are reading, they'll experience a real sense of achievement. A reading log shows measurable progress and will spur them on to read even more. They'll desire to fill up their chart. Reluctant readers may need other incentives to reach the end. Perhaps a prize or certificate for reading a set number of books. Offer to purchase a brand new book of their choice or a book shop voucher. This encourages goal setting and even friendly competition between siblings to finish first. If your kids are likely to make a contest out of it, be willing to play judge, when needed, to keep proceedings fair.

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Here's the follow-up discussion on this article: View all related messages
3.   Jul 30, 2001 5:32 AM
In response to message posted by Red:

Thanks for sharing about your grandson's reading log. It's good to know people are keeping ...

-- posted by bwheather
2.   Jul 29, 2001 1:33 PM
Heather, my oldest grandson has kept a reading log since he was 2. Last year he was in Senior Kindergarten and read 100 books between January and June. And those were just the ones he read for schoo ...

-- posted by Red



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