Reader's Workshop: The Reading Mat

The Reading Mat will provide your students with a visual reminder of how to keep track of what they are reading and build stamina! This system will also encourage your students to reread and build their fluency!  Oh, yes!

Begin by adhering the “My Reading Mat” cover page to the top of a file folder. The “Stop” and “Go” mats are adhered to the inside of the file folder.

Students begin by placing their stack of books on the “GO” side of their mat. They place the harder texts at the bottom and the easiest on top (to be read first).

When they finish a book it gets placed on the “STOP” side of the reading mat.

When all the books are read, students then “make their way back” as they reread their books, each time placing in on the “Go” side of the mat. This will encourage your young readers to stay on task and avoid returning to the classroom library to peruse for additional books. This will encourage them to reread to build their fluency.

Here is a closer look at The Reading Mat in action:

It is also helpful to provide your students with a post-it so they can tally how many books they have read during independent reading to keep track of their growth. This will help them set goals and take ownership of their reading growth!

If you would like your own copy of The Reading Mat, you will find it here:

Reader's Workshop: The Reading Mat