Where would we be without books? Books are such an essential part of learning for both adults and kids alike, but yet we don’t make enough time in our daily lives to read. As life starts to get busy and work piles up, no one has time to read anymore.
This is precisely why I started implementing Flashlight Friday into our weekly lesson plans! Flashlight Friday is a fun way for your students to get involved in reading, and make sure they are dedicating time to reading each week.
What is Flashlight Friday?
As a teacher, you have probably heard of DEAR time, also known as drop everything and read. Flashlight Friday takes this concept and adds to it! We are trying to create a calming and peaceful environment for the kids to read in that is both fun and encouraging. We let them bring in their own books to read, and essentially set up a little reading area for them to read in!
What do you need for Flashlight Friday?
All you need to participate in Flashlight Friday is:
- Flashlights (you can find some at the Dollar Tree)
- Lanterns (these don’t need to be expensive; there are plenty of low-cost options)
- Finger lights (make sure to get batteries from parents)
We also ask that the kids bring their own blankets and pillows to make it more comfortable. You can also get some mats if you want to have an option for kids who don’t remember to bring a pillow or blanket.
How to set up Flashlight Friday?
Before we have a Flashlight Friday, I send out a letter to the parents to let them know what it is and what the students need to bring. If a child doesn’t remember their things or doesn’t have them available, I like to keep some extras on hand just in case.
We have some spare blankets and books for the kids to use. We also have some lights available in case there needs to be any extra.
Encouraging kids to read can be a challenge, but reading can be a fun and fulfilling experience for the kids with Flashlight Friday! Even if you are distance learning this year, encourage your students and parents to still give Flashlight Friday a try at home! You don’t need to be in the classroom to make reading fun!
