Hi Everyone! It's Beth from Confessions of a Frazzled Teacher. I have been trying to rework some of my favorite traditions from my classroom and making them digital. One of these activities was a Read-a-thon. (You can read this on my blog HERE.) Here are some ways you can know host a Read-a-thon digitally. By doing so, you will help Encourage Your Students to Love Reading with a Digital Read-a-thon.

Note: Throughout the day of our Read-a-thon, I would schedule Zoom or Google Meet times with my students. This way, you can integrate activities throughout the day. It gives students mini-breaks from reading and keeps the fun going all day long!

Fort Creation

Since your students are at home, have them think creatively of how they can make a space to read. As a class, brainstorm a list of requirements. Some suggestions include a person has to fit inside and it should be comfortable. Give students a time frame like 30 minutes. Then have students share their creations. You can have a mini competition here. Awards can be given for the favorite ones or most creative. You can also just enjoy this time by giving students a chance to show how fun reading can be...if they are in the right location.

Guest Readers 

Normally, I would invite various staff members to read to my students. This may be your chance to get an author to come in and visit with your classroom. I know there are a lot of authors willing to visit with students in a Zoom meeting. 

If you can't get an author, you can still invite other staff members. This may be nice for students as they haven't seen all the familiar faces in a long time! It could also be fun to include some of your family members too. I know I tell stories about different members of my family to my kiddos. Think about how fun it would be if your students actually got to meet these family members and listen to them read!
Not all students may have flashlights, so this may be one that some students will need to sit out. However, students with flashlights (or a flashlight app) can turn off all the lights and draw the curtains and enjoy reading. This was a fun classroom activity that we would use during the school year. Even if your students have never experienced Flashlight Reading in the past, a Read-a-thon would be a fun place to try it out!

Change Locations

If you schedule your Read-a-thon on a nice day, have your students go outside and read. If that's not possible, pick different areas in the house and have your students read there. This will give your students the idea that it doesn't matter where they are, they can read anywhere!


The end of the school year is an ideal time to have a Digital Read-a-thon. You are already stuck at home. Focusing on reading will give students something try and keep in mind. Hopefully, they will continue what you do during this day the rest of the summer!

I hope this helps you with Distance Learning. If you would like more resources to help you during this time or just want more ways of becoming a less frazzled teacher, check out my blog or find me on Facebook or Instagram! 

Have a great day,

Beth

by Confessions of a Frazzled Teacher