Having a connection with a fictional character is one of my beloved childhood memories. I remember fantasizing about living in a boxcar and had my friends take turns being characters in my family drinking from that chipped cup! I read and reread that book countless times. When a student reads a story and the characters come to life, they become hooked as readers. Once students have entered into that character’s world there is no turning back. I’m sure you have your favorites, too. Add these ideas to your bag of tricks to hook your readers.
Genres- Introduce your students to a variety of genres. You will never know what book hooks your students. This also supports common core standards. You may not care for a particular genre, but your students may end up loving it!
Read a louds- When students laugh out loud you know they are connecting with the book. Regardless of age, a fun read a loud will hook your readers.
Traditional Stories- Fairy Tales and Nursery Rhymes often provide background knowledge for more sophisticated stories. Not all young children know these traditional stories. Spend time reciting and discussing this stories.
Series- Not all books in the series are written on the same level! The push for accelerating a students’ reading levels can cause students to read miss books in a series. Have students read for enjoyment!
Try these with your students:
Mary Had a Little Jam