Move Beyond Required Reading and Foster a Reading Identity

One of the best things I did all year in my classroom was use a bulletin board and a little instagram photo template (linked below-for FREE!) to cultivate a community of readers in my classroom.  As many of you know, I keep a bulletin board of photos that show what Riley and I have read. My students love looking at it, so this year, I invited students to take a picture of themselves reading at home with their own pet, sibling, or favorite stuffed animal in a comfy spot! It was such a fun way to foster the identity of “being a reader.” 

I strive to help my students move beyond completing assigned reading, even though I think that building a reading identity does start with consistent reading--by choice or not. I don’t like that pajama reading parties--and the celebration of reading in general--ends once students get to middle school. I strive to keep reading cool. And I may or may not regularly share with my students that my dream job is to be a librarian. I’m allways trying to spread the reading love! 

Snag this Instagram template FREEBIE and make your own bulletin board!