Summer reading. You just knew I couldn’t go without posting about it, didn’t you? After all, as I’ve posted before, research has shown that kids can lose up to 60% of what they’ve learned if we take a complete break. Wow! I want my kids to GROW as readers this summer, not regress.
This summer, like most summers, we are keeping a reading log. But this go ’round, I thought we’d try something new since my kiddos love to color. I created a reading log that my kids can color in. For each book they read, they can color in a book on the “shelf”. {FREE printable at the end of this post.}
*This post contains affiliate links.
A Reading Log Kids Can Color
While this might look like a printable just for young kids, I will be using it with my 3rd grader, too! On the printable are 3 shelves, filled with 10 books each {30 books total}, like you can see below.
You can set the goal. How many books will he need to read this summer? Older kids may enjoy helping you set their summer reading goal. I know my 3rd grader will be. And if you’d like to add in a reward system for goals met {as some kids respond well to those} go for it!
My daughter was highly motivated the moment I showed it to her and went to town “reading” some books so she could start coloring in her reading log. To me, that’s the best kind of motivation…from within. {Reluctant and struggling readers, like my 3rd grader, often lack this kind motivation, so having an outside motivator can sometimes help a little.}
By the way, this printable pack also has pages labeled, “Reading Log” that you can use any time of year as well! 🙂
More Reading Log Ideas:
- Blank Summer Reading Calendars {found in our Top 10 Post}
- Re-Reading Log {getting kids to re-read books with fluency}
- Weekly Summer Reading Charts {3 Dinosaurs}
- Summer Reading Challenge {The Measured Mom}
- Summer Reading Chart {Over the Big Moon}
- Summer Reading Calendar {No Time for Flash Cards}
Follow This Reading Mama’s board Summer Theme on Pinterest.
Follow This Reading Mama’s board Reading Resources and Tips on Pinterest.
Download this FREE Read & Color Reading Log HERE.
~Becky
Emma @ P is for Preschooler says
May 24, 2015 at 2:10 pmThis is a great idea! To preschoolers and early readers, a list of titles means nothing to them. This is a great visual way for them to see their progress!
thisreadingmama says
May 24, 2015 at 3:42 pmThanks, Emma!
Sherry says
May 25, 2015 at 4:21 pmThat is awesome. Thanks so much! What do you consider “reading”? Is it being read to, or them reading independently? My dd is 6 and just learning to read, so I wondered how I would use it for her. Thanks.
thisreadingmama says
May 25, 2015 at 6:47 pmYou could get her to read little books on her level and count those. My 4 year old also counts books that she “reads” by looking through the picture books and finding words that she knows. Feel free to adapt it as you see fit for your little one. That’s the beauty of an open-ended activity like this. 🙂
Bonnie says
May 27, 2015 at 11:27 amThis is such a cool reading log!
thisreadingmama says
May 27, 2015 at 12:06 pmThank you, Bonnie!
Jenny @ FamilyBees says
July 2, 2015 at 9:45 amThis is exactly what I need for my 6-year-old this summer! Thank you so much! 🙂
thisreadingmama says
July 2, 2015 at 10:18 amYay! I’m so glad it will work for your child!
Veronica Santos says
July 16, 2015 at 9:53 amHello! I came upon this reading log through Pinterest and I really liked it for my daughter who I am encouraging to read more. I like the idea of coloring in a book as she reads as motivation…but I would like to make one request.
My daughter does not speak English. It is easy for me to translate, “each time you read a book…” to English in 5 seconds. But I would like for her to SEE that in Spanish. Is there anyway you can modify the PDF to change the headers to Spanish. My husband tried it but it is obviously password protected which we understand and respect. Please respond. Thank you!
thisreadingmama says
March 1, 2016 at 5:57 amI don’t have plans to modify the PDF to Spanish and the clip artist’s terms require that they remain password protected. Sorry!
Audra Reed says
August 9, 2015 at 12:20 pmI love this reading log, especially for primary readers! Is there anyway to get the file without the word “summer” at the top? As a new librarian, I would love to give this to my lower grade levels as a twist to the 40 Book Challenge!
thisreadingmama says
August 9, 2015 at 4:41 pmYes, if you look in the download, one of the pages just reads, “Reading Log”. 🙂
Kylie Lindstrom says
May 15, 2016 at 2:49 amThis is a great resource. My only issue is that I’m in Australia and we spell colour with a u, however I’ll still use it with my year two daughter. The two of us love to colour and read! Thank you!
L Nichol says
June 13, 2017 at 11:23 amThank you. 🙂 I do the same thing in my bullet journal for myself. Never thought to do it with my students.
Anna says
June 30, 2017 at 4:07 amI love this reading log^^* THANKS A LOT
thisreadingmama says
July 6, 2017 at 8:47 pmYou’re welcome! 🙂