As the school year kicks off, it’s time to get our 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders excited for a thrilling world of reading adventures! Let’s dive into a collection of engaging beginning of the year reading activities that will not only spark students’ imaginations but also set the stage for a successful year ahead.
Set Goals for Reading
Reading can be intimidating for some students, and it comes easily for others.
It is important to reiterate that everyone is different and all students will set different goals in reading.
To begin the year, it is necessary to know where your students are in their reading. Most schools have some form of required beginning of the year reading assessment such as IRI, MAPS, or Lexia.
These assessments give information on the students’ reading level but not much more.
An infomrmal way to asses your new class is my Beginning of the Year Reading Assessment will allow you to see what reading skills your students have mastered.
Additionally, you’ll be able to know where to focus your reading instruction based on their areas of struggle.
Finally, after sharing the results with students, they will write down their goals for reading in the school year.
Perhaps they’ll create a goal on the number of books they want to read, increase their reading level by a certain amount, or master a specific reading skill.
Begin with a Novel
Your students have most likely not read a book the whole summer. Many teachers start the year with picture books that welcome the students to school and provide SEL lessons.
In addition to picture books, provoke your 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students’ love of reading with an amazing novel.
There are several novels that are perfect for third, fourth, and fifth graders. For instance, Fourth Grade Rats by Jerry Spinelli, James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl, Frindle by Andrew Clements, or Because of Winn Dixie by Kate DiCamillo.
Above all, my favorite beginning of the year novel is Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume. Not only is it hilarious, but it gets the students wanting to read more. This book is perfect because it starts the Fudge series.
Students in my class are required to take notes over my novel read aloud. Not only does this help them remember what is going on in the story, but it is also helps them learn an important notetaking skill for the future.
To learn more about novel studies, check out my blog: Teach Reading Using Novel Studies.
Reading Interactive Notebook
Setting up a reading interactive notebook is a necessity for the first week of school in your ELAR classroom.
Students will use their notebooks throughout the year to reference different reading skills that you have taught.
Additionally, they use their Reading Notebooks to take notes on the novels that are being read aloud during class.
What is the first thing you should have students put their reading notebook after decorating the cover?
My first page that shows students the exact way they should be taking notes during the novel read aloud.
If you have the pages prepped ahead of time, setting up and using your Interactive Reading Notebook daily will be a piece of cake.
Getting to Know Each Other
There are so many Icebreakers for the First Day of School that teachers use for students to get to know each other.
This beginning of the year reading activity is a great getting to know you that incorporates a Venn Diagram (an excellent reading skill to review) which makes it a rare gem!
To begin students fill out questions about themselves. Then the teacher partners up the students.
Then students discuss which answers are similar and different, and they put them in the correct place on the Venn Diagram.
Reading Skills
It can be tough to jump right into teaching the first week of school. Of course, rules, procedures, and getting to know you activities need to be done.
However, reviewing reading skills can be easily done. The first beginning of the year reading skill I start with is finding the author’s purpose.
When I use my Reading Skills Activities, it is easy to teach the lesson, then students practice the skill with a small group activity. Finally, I have a graded assignment with an independent practice page.
Unlock the wonders of reading with these easy to implement beginning of the year reading activities for 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades! Let’s start the school year on a high note!
