The Reading Bug

by: Jennifer Perez

Tired of the same old reading routine in your house?  Try shaking things up a little with The Family Reading Bug!

What is The Family Reading Bug?

The Family Reading Bug can take several different forms.  You may choose to print out a bug, purchase a small bug figurine or create one during a family craft night.

What do I do with the Family Reading Bug?

Once the family has decided on The Family Reading Bug it is time to get started!  Since this is a new activity, model how this activity works by being the 1^st person to hide the Family Reading Bug.

Steps:

1. Present The Family Reading Bug and together, decide on whether you’d like to give the bug a name.
2. Explain the purpose of The Family Reading Bug ~to get the family more involved and excited with their reading!
3. Further explain that each day, the bug will be hidden somewhere in the house for a different person each day.  For example, you may choose to hide The Family Reading Bug in your son’s soccer bag or in your daughter’s lunch box.  Whoever receives The Family Reading Bug for the day has the opportunity to share their reading or read something new to the family during dinner or any other designated family time.
4. The person who has The Family Reading Bug is the SAME person who will now hide the bug for someone else AFTER sharing their reading the NEXT day. For example, if you hide the bug in your daughter’s lunch box, she will be in charge of hiding The Family Reading Bug for her brother some time AFTER she shares her reading.  Her brother will then find The Family Reading Bug the NEXT day and continue the process!
5. Make any modifications necessary on order to make this work for YOUR family!  This is supposed to be a fun way to get the family together to share their love of reading with one another!!

Happy Bug Hunting!!

© Jennifer Perez 7/14/10