Inspiring children to read can be achieved through a month-long challenge during March is Reading Month. For each class that makes it to the Candy Castle, the reward is to participate in a day of games for the whole school (or 1/2 day).
One idea is to use a gaming theme. As a school, a variation of the Candyland board will be hung around the walls of the school. This is especially easy since the Candyland game board is made up of colored rectangles. If it’s not a school-wide activity, this could certainly happen as a classroom activity.
Weekly markers are then handed out to students. Each candy is colored for every ten minutes of reading. At the end of the week the class minutes are added up and then the class game piece is moved across the whole school game board. Or, if in individual classrooms, each child would move their game piece.
To liven up the whole school game board, it’s especially stylish if the characters on the Candyland game board are scanned and enlarged. This can be done by scanning the images and then using a projector to display them on a wall or using a document camera, then drawing around them with a black marker. Using pastel chalks is a great way to color the pieces. Older children can help with this activity.
A book jog is another way to encourage reading. Children bring used books from home that they would like to trade. For each book a child brings in, they receive a ticket to trade for a different book. Create a path by taping colored paper rectangles through the library and around the hallways. Next, place all the books that have been brought along the way. The children walk the path in search of a book. At the end of the road the boy exchanges his tickets for the books. Using the ticket method, children can walk away with as many books as they brought. In honor of book jog, everyone must wear jogging suits for “Jog into Reading.”
In addition to the game, theme days can correspond to various characters such as:
Wear Red for Dr. Seuss’s Birthday and Play on the Dr. Suess Website
Wear a funny hat in honor of Lord Licorice
Wear Green in Honor of St. Patrick’s Day and Mama Ginger
Dress up as your favorite fairy tale character in honor of Princess Frostine and King Kandy
Wacky Hair Day in honor of Grandma Nutt (every kid’s favorite is coming to school with wacky hair!)
Inspire children to read by bringing a challenge to your school or class this year.