Bring the joy of reading to life in your classroom! Reading Month is a wonderful opportunity to spark a lifelong love of books while building strong literacy skills. From word hunts to dressing up as favorite literary characters, these nine page-turning ideas will inspire curiosity and have kids eager to read all month long.
1. Create a bookmark
Get Reading Month off to a lively start by letting your students design their very own bookmarks! This creative activity adds a personal touch to help motivate readers of all ages.
Tricky Words Bookmark (1st)
Cool Bookmarks 4 (3rd)
Bookworm Bookmark (4th)
Flower Bookmarks (5th)
Brainzy Coloring Bookmarks: Birdee and Penelope (PreK-5th)
Brainzy Coloring Bookmarks: Floyd and Cuz-Cuz (PreK-5th)
Brainzy Coloring Bookmarks: Roly and Tutu (PreK-5th)
Brainzy Bookmarks (PreK-5th)
2. Read a book aloud
Make reading aloud a regular part of your classroom routine this month—or the rest of the school year! A few minutes of story time each day can enhance critical thinking, comprehension, and engagement. Introduce new vocabulary and keep things interesting by exploring different genres and themes.
3. Incorporate a reading challenge
Nothing motivates students more than a fun challenge! Encourage learners to participate in a reading adventure that’s both rewarding and engaging. Have them set personal reading goals, track their progress, or take part in a friendly classroom competition. You can also use this 30-day challenge worksheet to keep them turning pages throughout March!
4. Go on a word hunt
Looking for ways to expand vocabulary? Create a list of words, such as something from nature, an action-packed verb, a proper noun, or something heavier than a cow. Then have your readers search for them in a book of their choice. It’s an interactive way to reinforce reading comprehension while allowing students to discover new words in context.
5. Uncover books behind the movies
Turn screen time into reading time! Invite your students to explore stories that have been adapted for the big screen. Whether they read the book before or after watching the film, this approach can spark interest in both avid and reluctant readers. Here are a few books curated by our sister brand, Vocabulary.com, along with word lists for each:
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland
Because of Winn-Dixie
Stuart Little
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
Supplement with this Reading Skills Practice worksheet
Ella Enchanted
6. Dress up as a book character
Who says you have to wait for Halloween to wear a costume? Plan a day where students can come in dressed as their favorite book characters. Then, have them either read from that character’s book or challenge the class to guess which story their character is from. It’s an exciting way to introduce books they may want to read while having fun in the process.
7. Visit a library
There’s no better way to celebrate Reading Month than by taking your students to a place filled with endless books to discover! Whether it’s your school library or a local branch, a visit to the library can ignite a passion for reading in your learners. Be sure to check your local library’s website for upcoming events and activities that might pique your class’ interests.
8. Find free digital reading resources
Take advantage of free resources available through your school district or state! Many districts give access to platforms like Sora, a free digital library where students can explore ebooks, audiobooks, magazines, and graphic novels using their school credentials. State programs, like North Carolina’s ‘Literacy at Home,’ also provide valuable tools, offering digital activities for pre-K through fifth grade. Check with your district or state education department to see what’s available!
9. Enter Education.com’s Story Challenge
Invite creativity this Reading Month with Education.com’s writing contest! From March 1 through March 31st, students can submit an original fiction or nonfiction story (up to 5,000 words). Ten winners across four grade groups (PK-1st, 2-3rd, 4-5th, and 6-8th) will receive a free year of Education.com Premium. This is a perfect opportunity for young writers to showcase their storytelling talents and let their imaginations soar!