Do you remember D.E.A.R.? (Drop Everything And Read!) Or maybe you had S.S.R. (Sustained Silent Reading) or maybe it was S.Q.U.I.R.T. (Super Quiet Un-Interrupted Reading Time) or maybe you had read-a-thons? Whatever the name, do you remember just getting to read?
I was craving a good read (and my kids could stand to catch up on some summer reading minutes), so I thought we would try a D.E.A.R afternoon at our house–where we Dropped Everything And Read. I picked a rainy afternoon after we had just got back from the library so our book supply was fresh. We made a big fort in our living room using our kitchen table.
The kids gathered books and treats and we hunkered down to read. I even laid on the couch and tried to catch up on some reading.
Besides great books, the key to a read-a-thon being successful is the treats. I would recommend non-greasy / hands free treats as to protect the books. Fun gum, licorice, and suckers works well.
Next time I would make a few tweaks in our D.E.A.R afternoon. I would let every kid invite a friend (because friends make everything more fun) and then they could pair up. We would have reading stations in different rooms (since we all can’t fit under the table). One room would be a read aloud room where I read to them, one room might be a room where they could read to each other, and the last room would be silent reading. We would rotate between the rooms every 20 minutes or so. I think rotating rooms might minimize distractions and keep their attention longer. I’ll let you know how it goes.
There was probably more eating and blanket adjusting than reading, but it was better than watching TV right? So take some time this summer to Drop Everything And Read!
![I spoke in church today and said the Atonement of Jesus Christ is the greatest act of Charity. I read Moroni 7:45-47 to make my point. But wherever there was the word ‘Charity’ I substituted it out for ‘the Atonement of Jesus Christ.’ See if these scripture verses now have new meaning for you:
“And the Atonement of Jesus Christ suffererth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth in the truth,
[The Atonement of Jesus Christ] beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not the Atonement of Jesus Christ, ye are nothing, for the Atonement of Jesus Christ never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto the Atonement of Jesus Christ, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail-
But the Atonement of Jesus Christ is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.”
So Easter really reminds us of love. The first and greatest commandment.](https://www.raisinglemons.com/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed-pro/img/placeholder.png)
<3 perfect <3 at so many levels <3
BTW: after the last two nights of work, the table is nice and shiny again and ready for a new beating. 🙂
I LOVE this! Throw a “fort” and candy into ANYthing and my kids-and me!-are in!
There is NOTHING like a good read on a rainy day!
Maybe this is how I get Tommy to read more? Great idea. I think I might try using cereal as his treat.
We had D.E.A.R. at my elementary school and I loved it. Cool forts. We have been trying to inspire more reading here this summer too with the touch of one button. The tv on/off switch. 🙂
I actually thought about doing a read-a-thon two days ago because I’ve been reading a good book myself and wanted to have a readin day with the kids and now you figures out all the details for me! Thanks!!
I love the giant table!!!!!! What you should do is let them wear their pajamas, have a stuffed animal at hand, and eat a snack while reading.