How Can Reading Logs for Better Reading Comprehension be More Fun?

As a former teacher, I see value in Reading Logs for Reading Comprehension. But, I must confess. When my boys were in school I really disliked their reading logs. It’s funny though, my boys LOVED their reading logs. They even kept them after they got them back. Why you may ask? Both of my boys are huge readers, and they loved having a record of the books that they had read. They loved to show me their lists and talk about the books that they have read and are reading. Win-win!

I am also a huge reader, and I love keeping track of the books that I read! Here are some ways to make reading logs for better reading comprehension more fun and a more valuable exercise for your students.

Why Reading Logs?

I know that there are lots of different opinions about reading logs. I also have had different opinions about them over the years. I really think that they can be valuable. It is a great way to see what you are reading. A list of titles can be very gratifying! It also shows that you are reading. You know the saying “The more you read, the more you know!”

Your logs should include comprehension questions. These give you insight as to what your students are thinking while they read! After all, comprehension is the reason to read! 🙂

Reading Logs can also be fun! I promise, there are some fun ways to do them, for you and your students.

What are Reading Logs?

Simply put, they are a way for people (in our case students) to keep track of what they are reading, how long they are reading, and what they think about what they are reading.

Usually, they are written on a printed piece of paper that the teacher sends home, then it is filled out during the week, signed by parents, and returned to school. It is a way to hold students accountable for reading outside of the classroom.

They don’t have to be boring and tedious though! Keep reading for some suggestions on how to jazz up your reading logs!

Types of Fun Reading Logs

There are so many ways to do reading logs that aren’t the written sheet. That is one way to do them, and if that works for you, GREAT! Don’t fix it if it isn’t broken right? But, if you are struggling with reading logs here are some fun ways to do them that your kids will appreciate:

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1. Color in a picture. Each time your student reads a book (or reads for a certain amount of time) they color in part of the picture! They can see how much they have accomplished by how much of the picture or how many pictures are colored!
2. Class Reading logs! When you read a book in class keep a reading log. Take a picture of a student (or students) with the book that you read. Ask and record an answer to a comprehension question and post these somewhere in your room, or the hallway outside your room! Share what you are reading together with the school community!
3. Reading Challenges! Some students really need a challenge. Send home a reading challenge at the beginning of the month and celebrate hard those students who complete it! This would be a great thing to put in your newsletter or have on your school’s morning announcements!

1. Digital! These super fun digital reading logs have your students add something to the background to complete the picture. They move an object for however many minutes they are reading. These also included a daily comprehension question for your students to answer.
2. Photos! Have your students take a picture of themselves (or have a parent or older sibling help). They can hold their book and put it straight into a google document or slide. Then, they can type a short description or have a focus comprehension question for the week that your students can answer on their collage. They will be super excited to share these, so try to make time in your day to share. Sharing also helps your students to find new books that they may not have read before.
3. Video! Use a sharing platform like Padlet. Students can record short videos of the books that they are reading and watch the videos of their friends! Anything that feels “Youtubish” the kiddos are always on board for! They could also share pictures or short audio clips (if they are shy about showing their faces on a video). ( I am not affiliated with Padlet in any way, I just think it is a great sharing platform for students.)

Comprehension with Reading Logs

Honestly, the best reading comprehension activity that you can do (in my humble opinion) is to talk to your students about what they are reading! This would be a great conversation to have during your individual reading conferences, when you have a few minutes during morning work, or when you have W.I.N time (What I Need: when your students are getting pulled for other services), or any other time you have a free moment.

You could have your students share their reading logs with a partner and have a focused reading comprehension question for them to discuss.

Get a free list of Focus Reading Comprehension Questions that you can use for your reading logs or in-class reading discussions by signing up for my newsletter! You will also get tons of other fun freebies because you will get access to my Free Resource Library! 🙂

Phew! You made it this far! I really hope that you got some fun new ideas! Pin the image below to share with others! Thanks so much for reading!

Happy Teaching,