The above mosaic was created by hundreds of photos of students reading that were sent to me by their parents. 
​The photo used as the mosaic is from my 2017-18 class.  Keep reading below to find out how you too can be part of this mosaic.
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Picture
Let's face it, nobody likes timed reading.  The students feel like they can't read something fun - like Dr. Seuss, for example - because it will never give them the required minutes needed to make the teacher happy.  So the student goes to the library, checks out a boring book about the space-time continuum and plods their way through it because it's expected of them.  That is usually where the loathing for reading begins.

And then there are the parents.  Trust me, with five kids myself, I have been in this situation.  You're dropping off the kids at school - which is already stressful because of all the other stressed out parents dropping off their kids - and suddenly your 5th grader remembers that the reading log is DUE TODAY!!!  As the tears start streaming, you scramble looking for a pen in your glove compartment - at the same time, handing your child Burger King napkins to wipe their tears - and finally sign the reading log with a signature that may or may not resemble your own.
And let's not forget the teacher's side of this.  To be completely blunt, we are just trying to keep our cool when we receive the reading log of little Johnny.  You know, the kid that has mentioned his loathing of reading the entire year and refuses to read in class.  Yet by some miracle, is able to read 15,000 minutes for the last reading log before report cards come out.   
​EVEN THOUGH THERE ARE ONLY 10,080 MINUTES IN AN ENTIRE WEEK!!!!
Please do not misunderstand me here.  I am not suggesting that your 5th Grader should only read books written for 1st Graders.  In fact, I really would like to push them to find books above their reading level.  There are a whole lot of worlds out there that they are missing because they spend their time living in Whoville.  However, kids are more likely to read if they can read something they like.  And reading is supposed to be enjoyable, so why not make it that way?
Instead of counting minutes, you will receive points based on the following:

WHAT = READ BIOGRAPHIES, FICTION, COMIC BOOKS, NEWSPAPERS, RECIPES
I DON'T CARE!  JUST READ!
WHO = READ TO YOUR PARENTS, SIBLINGS, FRIENDS, PETS, STUFFED ANIMALS
I DON'T CARE!  JUST READ!
WHERE = READ IN BED, UPSIDE DOWN, AT THE POOL, ON TOP OF OLD SMOKEY
I DON'T CARE!  JUST READ!

What

(2 Points Each)
  • Read a biography
  • Read a blog and respond
  • Read a foreign language book
  • Read a chapter book
  • Read a comic book
  • Read a graphic novel
  • Read an eBook
  • Read a fairytale
  • Read a joke book 
  • Read a magazine
  • Read a mystery
  • Read the newspaper
  • Read a recipe book
  • Read a picture book
  • Read poetry
  • Read a ‘how to’ book
  • Read a play
  • Read song lyrics
  • Read closed-captioning

Who

(5 Points Each)
  • Read to a parent
  • Read to a sibling
  • Read to a grandparent
  • Read to a neighbor
  • Read to a relative
  • Read with friends
  • Read to a pet
  • Read to a stuffed animal
  • Read to your imaginary friend
  • Read over SKYPE
  • Read to people at a hospital or retirement home

Where

(10 Points Each)
  • Read with a flashlight
  • Read while eating
  • Read in bed
  • Read in the car
  • Read in the bathtub (without water)
  • Read past your bedtime
  • Read while waiting for the doctor
  • Read at the beach
  • Read at the park
  • Read at the bookstore
  • Read at the library
  • Read at the grocery store
  • Read someplace else: