I love a good reading challenge in the classroom! Reading challenges are a way to get kids working on multiple skills, reading a ton, and learning a lot. But they are doing all of this while having SO MUCH FUN and not really even knowing that they are reading. A win-win, right?!
How does a reading challenge work?
A reading challenge is simple! You have a task that you want the children to complete, but in order to do so they have to read several passages and answer many text dependent questions. The passages and questions are always rigorous because you don’t want this to be easy for the kiddos.
There is also typically always a reward or somewhere to get to at the end of the challenge!
Why do a reading challenge?
Reading challenges require the students to think and work A TON, but because it is a challenge and it is fun they don’t realize how much they are working. You want to do a reading challenge because your kids will love it, but they will also be challenged. You can push their thinking while adding tons of fun to your daily classroom activities.
This is also a perfect way for you to do a little assessment and reteaching. I check each challenge, so if kids are way off I know what I need to work on. Plus, I can usually pull the kiddos who miss it for a few minutes and do a quick reteaching lesson!
St. Patrick’s Day Challenge
On St. Patrick’s Day I love bringing the idea of the leprechaun into the room! So, my leprechaun writes a note to the kids. The note tells them that he has been hiding in our room for several days and they need to complete reading challenges to find him. After each challenge, they earn a clue.
Then, the kiddos complete five different reading activities. They work on theme, point of view, main idea, context clues, and character traits. After each challenge they earn a clue.
At the end, they learn that the leprechaun wrote another note that is under the teacher’s desk. This note tells them that the leprechaun was so impressed by them that he got nervous and ran away. But they get some kind of treat.
You can do anything for the treat. You could get them an actual treat or you can do things like giving them extra recess, computer time, etc.
Grab this challenge here!Â
Hannah Wilde
I am so glad you’re here! I love helping 3rd-5th grade teachers by providing ideas, engaging resources, and professional development they need. I am a literacy coach who is here to help lessen the workload for teachers while making them more confident! I want students to be continually engaged in a rigorous environment!