Reading Logs

Reading logs are journals in which students write their reactions and opinions about books they are reading or listening to the teacher read aloud. The students could list words, illustrate, diagrams/thinking maps, and story elements (character, setting, background, etc.) in these journals.

Sometimes students could choose what they write about or they could respond to questions or prompts that the teacher has prepared. For example, the teacher would instruct students to draw and write about your favorite character in the story that was just read aloud. Students would follow three steps: 1. Prepare reading logs (teacher supplied and binded), 2. Write/draw entries, and 3. Share entries with other students. Obviously Kindergartners could not write in single or multiple sentences at the beginning of the year, therefore they would illustrate their thoughts through pictures.