Did you ever have those days as a kid where you’d bury your nose in a good book and devour the whole thing in one sitting? I sure did! Well, with the US literacy rate dropping, inspiring that love of reading in students is more important than ever. This April, join us in celebrating Drop Everything and Read (D.E.A.R.) with these fun lesson planning ideas!
What is D.E.A.R.?
D.E.A.R stands for Drop Everything and Read, and is a month-long celebration designed to help readers of all ages prioritize reading. While the celebration technically lasts all month (and we could argue that reading is a year-round priority!), April 12 is noted as the official “Drop Everything and Read Day” in conjunction with author Beverly Cleary’s birthday since D.E.A.R. time was featured in her famed Ramona book series.
Why Drop Everything and Read?
According to a recent study by the National Assessment Governing Board, the average reading scores for both 4th and 8th grade students declined by two points in 2024, as compared to 2022. And, as we know, the best way to get better at a skill like reading is to practice. D.E.A.R allots time specifically for reading and reading-focused activities, giving educators and parents an exciting opportunity to recenter their students or children in their own language arts journey. This, in turn, helps students develop essential literacy skills like reading comprehension, expand their vocabulary, and even build social and emotional skills.
Celebrating D.E.A.R. Day in Your Classroom
Hosting a D.E.A.R session in your classroom is simple. Just follow these basic steps!
- Create a cozy reading environment with blankets, pillows, or themed decorations.
- Provide a variety of books to cater to different interests and reading levels.
- Set aside at least 30 minutes dedicated solely to reading.
And, if you’re looking to expand the D.E.A.R. fun past a single reading session, check out these five activity ideas for your classroom!
Five Fun Activities to Help Students Drop Everything and Read
1. Book Cover Redesign
Have students design a new cover for a book they’ve recently read. Have them include elements like characters, themes, or key events. This activity encourages creativity while reinforcing comprehension.
2. Themed Reading Time
Add excitement to your reading time by incorporating themes like reading with flashlights in the dark, bringing in a stuffed animal to act as a student’s “reading buddy”, or wear pajamas for a cozy reading day!
3. Buddy Reading
Pair students up and have them take turns reading to each other to boost engagement. You could even partner with another class to pair students with older or younger reading buddies!
4. Story Retelling Through Comics
Have students create comic strips based on scenes from the current book they are reading. They should include dialogue, illustrations, and key plot points. This helps students summarize and analyze what they’ve read.
5. Create Your Own Story
Ask students to use what they’ve learned from reading books to write their own short stories with illustrations. This is a great lesson to teach about plot devices in a tangible way. You can follow up this lesson with a showcase where students have the opportunity to share their creations with their classmates.
How are you celebrating D.E.A.R. day?
Let us know in the comments below!
