I developed the term Reader Sit after watching children try to read with their hands in their laps or laying across their desks.  They think their eyes do all of the work, when really they use their whole body.  This is perfect to teach to beginning readers, but I teach students all the way through elementary school to do it.  Bad habits are hard to break.

“Reader Sit”

This is not rocket science, but it helps so much!  I came up with Reader Sit” as a positive solution to use with students (instead of whining at them to sit up, stop laying their head down on their desks, or holding their head in their hands). This is the easiest way to get everyone to sit up and wake up!

I love using the term “Reader Sit” because students can become more engaged in their books.  They’re able to use one hand to hold the book and one hand to track the words.  They can lose reading stamina very quickly if they make their eyes do all of the work.

How to:
1. Demonstrate the “Reader Sit” position to students yourself.  Use the above photo if necessary.

2.  Show them how to hold the book with one hand and use the other hand to guide them.  I like to tell them that we use our whole body to read!

2.  Practice “Reader Sit” as a class.

3.  Choose a few students to model it for everyone.

4.  Practice in whole group and small group situations.

5.  Tell them that you’re developing good reading habits and it shows that they’re ready to learn.

6.  Use it daily until everyone knows your expectations.

Background:
I actually came up with it after watching my kids at taekwondo. It was amazing… when the master said, “Taekwondo sit”, all of the students would immediately sit up straight, cross their legs, and put their hands in fists by their sides.  They were ready to learn and ready to listen… isn’t that what we want in the classroom too?

Kristen is a Reading Specialist who currently works with children in Kindergarten through 3rd Grade.  She is the blogger behind Busy Kids Happy Mom, a site dedicated to fun, practical, and purposeful activities to do with your kids.  Follow Kristen on Facebook, Pinterest, and Busy Kids Happy Mom.

(Visited 790 times, 1 visits today)