Creating a Reading Corner: A Tool for Engaging Young Readers

A reading corner is a great strategy to encourage students to read. A well organised and planned reading corner can encourage struggling readers to want to read and creates a great zoned area in the classroom that students can use throughout the school day. These are some useful tips to creating a great reading corner.

• Use colourful rugs to zone off the area and students know this is where they can go to read quietly.

• Have lots of plush toys and pillows. Make sure to set boundaries with the students when using these items so they do not become a distraction for them but rather a calming and settling tool when they are reading.

• Have a small bookshelf with age and reading level appropriate books. Being on an infants class I like to have easy to read picture books with some more challenging books for those very good readers.

• Put up relevant displays to support students independent learning and reading. I have posters of the Super Six Reading Comprehension Strategies that I created for my infants class. I also have posters of strategies that can assist them to read unfamiliar words. Of course, these strategies need to be explicitly taught prior to students using them independently in Guided Reading Groups or as a whole class.

• Set rules and guidelines about how the reading corner should be used. Set up a rules chart or visual reminders of how the area needs to be used. This needs to be explicitly taught and reinforced through the school year.

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