It’s remarkable, even at the 2nd-grade level, how vast the difference is between the kids who read regularly and those who don’t. Those who read for discovery outside of class grow by leaps and bounds in class. They bring in words, ideas, connections that weren’t part of a lesson plan but are now shaping their learning anyway. It shows the benefits of having a literate life and what can happen when someone is not given that same opportunity.
Just to go with the previous link. We stopped using reading records, where the kids or their parents write the name of the book and sign, this year and instead the kids just colour a star to show they’ve read. We’re just trying to remove any friction to them reading at home.
We do have a website they use to read online but I’m hopeful next year we ditch it to go with another website which is just more exciting. We just want them reading.
Are some of them gaming it, I’m almost certain they are but I don’t want to make it a thing.