There are other interesting and fun ideas to use in teaching Reading..  One idea I have found is using paper bag  or sock puppets. Yardn and buttons make good hair and eyes for sock puppets.  Bows and ribbon or other decorations can be used.  Children can make a puppet of a character in the story and then practice it with two or three other children.  Later, groups can act out their parts with puppets in front of the class.  Children always love puppets where they can change their voices.  It makes Reading so  much more fun and exciting.

    I know, too, that many teachers have couches and big pillows and beanbag chairs for students to read in partners or individually.  The children seem to really enjoy Reading like this.  

    Another idea I heard about was to have children read in a small pup tent or a similar shelter.  They can really enjoy reading in unusual places like this where they can forget themselves and just be in the story.

    It helps to share a book or part of a story with the class.  Then others can enjoy and maybe later read that book or story.  Everyone can share.  New ideas and information can be discussed.  This would especially true of animals.  Children can learn more about unusual animals like sharks or whales or squid and other unusual creatures. 

    Children always like to be read to.  I know I did and the children I taught seemed to enjoy it.  Parents and teachers and friends can help by reading to or with children.  It really helps struggling readers if you and I will read a paragraph or a few pages and they can read some, too.  Then it doesn't seem so hard for them.

    There are so many wonderful ideas and ways to make Reading fun and interesting.  I am sure some of you may have some ideas and would like to share them with me.  I would love to hear about them. http://www.talkshoe.com/tc/22478