Reading Calendars: An Easy Alternative to Reading Logs

After 20+ years of teaching, I’ve done a lot of different things for reading homework. I stopped doing reading logs several years ago because I didn’t feel it was meaningful. Sometimes, families were just rushing to write down book titles to get “credit” for homework, instead of focusing on the fun and important work of enjoying books together.

Another reading homework challenge was that some parents didn’t always know how to get started or how to make reading fun and enjoyable, rather than an unwelcome or stressful task.

Reading Calendars Make At-Home Reading Simple

So, a few years ago, I designed these reading calendars to give families a starting point each day. I use the monthly calendars, but other teachers preferred (or were required to do) weekly homework, so I made a set of weekly reading activities, too!

Reading calendars make at-home reading simple for both students and families. Instead of filling out a traditional reading log each night, students can focus on what really matters…spending time reading! Families simply mark the calendar when their child reads, making it an easy, low-stress way to encourage consistent reading practice at home.

I send home this letter with the first monthly reading calendar to give parents an idea of what we work on in class each day, how they can support their young reader at home, and some tips for how to make this an enjoyable time.

How I Use Reading Calendars

To involve my students in their learning, we usually decide together how they will record their progress and how many boxes should be completed each week. Most of the time, the kids preferred to color in the box and have a parent initial.

Throughout the years, students have decided on anywhere from 3-5 completed boxes per week were satisfactory. I’m really not too picky about it as long as I know they are reading at home. I send home a book pouch with 5 books each week for my students. But, students can also use their library books, online books, their own books at home, or books from our “borrow” cart at school.

Reading is the most important and beneficial academic activity that students can do at home and these calendars have been welcomed by families each year. Parents often tell me that having a “directive” from their teacher, instead of mom or dad telling them what to do, helps lessen any arguments or struggles at home!

You can get the monthly homework calendars HERE or the weekly reading homework activities HERE.

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Teaching!

Jennifer ~ Practical Primary Teacher 🍎🍏

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