First, let me just say, I’m not sure who loves Flashlight Friday more, me or the kids!
In my class, I use Flashlight Friday as a reward. My class earns minutes for positive behavior. Basically anything I “catch” them doing that’s positive. Then, on Friday (usually once per month) we shut the lights, find a comfy spot, and read our favorite books by flashlight!
It’s so fun! I also have lanterns that I use during this time.
Sometime we read by the fireplace! We’ve also read at the beach, a forest, and a tropical island, but the fireplace is my personal favorite and the students love it too!
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In my Flashlight Friday Teacher’s Kit, you’ll get everything you need to implement your own special reward time with your class. Including a sign for your door, a tracking sheet so you know how many minutes have been earned, invitations, reminders, bookmarks… it’s all included!
A Few Tips
1. Let students know at the beginning of the year that they will need a small flashlight. Finger flashlights or pocket flashlights are perfect!
2. Be sure students have independent reading choices available and they choose their book BEFORE flashlight Friday. You don’t want half the time spent choosing a book. They earned reading minutes so the entire time should be for digging into a great read!
3. Have extra flashlights, push lights, lanterns, or a “fireplace” ready to go so students without flashlights can sit by the fire or borrow a light from you.
4. Finally, the more excited you are, the more excited they will be. So, get cozy with your own book and model that readers are leaders! I usually read from the front of the room for a few minutes, then move to the back, and circulate through a few different spots so I can keep an eye on the class while still getting some good reading minutes in there!
I hope you give it a try soon!
Happy Reading!
