Children rush into the recreation room and choose books borrowed from the local library.
Parents and volunteers ask the children if they would like to read with a “book buddy”.
Then everyone sits down to enjoy some great children’s books. The focus is always on fun, and books are the focal point.

This is the weekly Reading Circle – a place where adults and children come together to read for pleasure. Reading for enjoyment is the best way to introduce children to the wonderful world of stories and books. Some Frontier College supported Reading Circles have been running for over a decade.

A Reading Circle is effective because it takes place right in the community, and involves parents and other role models. From early childhood, books should be seen as a means for amusement, imagination and information. A Reading Circle is simple to run and does not cost anything. All that is needed are a big pile of beautiful children’s books from the local library, and an enthusiastic team!

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How to Start a Reading Circle

1. Plan:

   • Invite parents and other interested people to come to an organizing meeting
   • Form a team to take responsibility for the Reading Circle
   • Identify responsibilities and delegate tasks
   • Find a place for your Reading Circle. Choose a large room with lots of chairs and tables, but avoid distractions such as toys or play equipment
   • Refer to our booklet: “Meeting With Your Reading Circle Group”

2. Pick a Good Time for the Reading Circle:

   • Saturday mornings and early weekday evenings are popular times
   • Hold your Reading Circle at the same time every week

3. Promote Your Reading Circle:

   • Tell everyone about the opening day
   • Post flyers throughout your community
   • Invite parents, community leaders, and teachers to celebrate the opening of your first Reading Circle
   • Invite “celebrity readers” and give out prizes at your opening

4. Involve Parents and Other Volunteers:

   • Aim to have at least one book buddy for every two children
   • Encourage parental involvement at all stages of the program
   • Seek volunteers from schools, libraries, volunteer centres, etc.

5. Borrow Books from Your Local Library:

   • Bring 50 books or more. Children like to choose from a large selection
   • Borrow new books regularly to keep the children’s interest
   • Select books for different ages, interests, and reading abilities
   • Borrow books from a school library if you do not have access to a public library, or ask children and parents to bring books from home

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How to Run a Reading Circle

(60 minute program)

1. Arrive Early:

   • Arrive early to set up the tables and chairs in a comfortable manner
   • Display the library books throughout the room at the children’s eye level
   • Prepare name tags and any activities you have planned

2. When Children and Parents Arrive:

   • Give children and book buddies name tags
   • Put a sticker on each child’s name tag every week they attend
   • Reward children with a prize book each time they collect five stickers

3. Read Together (30 to 40 minutes)

   • Encourage children to choose a book, and to read with a parent, a volunteer, another child, or by themselves
   • Remind your book buddies that some children will choose to read aloud, and others will prefer to listen to a story, or to take turns reading page by page
   • Lead by example! Read with a child who needs the extra attention
   • Read for fun! Focus on the stories, characters and pictures

4. Gather for Circle Time

   • Ask everyone to sit in a circle for the last fifteen minutes
   • Select a picture book with just a few words per page
   • Invite everyone to read one page, show the picture, then pass the book around the circle. Make sure that everyone knows that they can skip their turn. The group should applaud each reader. Children will feel good about reading aloud when you create a supportive environment
   • Whisper difficult words to children who need the assistance

5. Collect Name Tags and Draw Names for Prizes:

   • Give away prizes such as books or posters to add excitement, to collect the name tags, and to keep the children coming back for more Reading Circles!

Note: The key element of a Reading Circle is the enjoyment of books. Other related literacy activities for your program may include word games, book-making, word bingo, or puzzles. Young children enjoy group songs and rhymes. Ensure that all the adults and volunteers are actively involved. Be creative, and have fun!