{"id":856,"date":"2019-01-17T02:51:40","date_gmt":"2019-01-17T02:51:40","guid":{"rendered":"https://theempoweredprovider.com/?p=856"},"modified":"2020-01-13T19:09:20","modified_gmt":"2020-01-13T19:09:20","slug":"mystery-reader-activity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https://theempoweredprovider.com/mystery-reader-activity/","title":{"rendered":"I Love to Read Month &#8211; Mystery Reader Activity"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>In this post, I&#8217;m going to show you how you can easily host an on-going Mystery Reader event to support <strong>I Love to Read Month.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Out of all of my 13 years of running  a family child care business, this was by far my favorite community building activity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3>Hosting a Mystery Reader Will&#8230;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Build community <\/li><li>Grow a child&#8217;s love for books<\/li><li>Partner with the child&#8217;s family<\/li><li>Create energy around I Love to Read Month<\/li><li>Introduce kids to different styles of story telling<\/li><li><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img src=\"https://theempoweredprovider.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/rawpixel-633847-unsplash-800x562.jpg\" alt=\"i love to read month calendar\" class=\"wp-image-860\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3>Reading Out Loud to Children Has Big Time Benefits<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p> According to the folks over at  <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"readingrockets.org (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https://www.readingrockets.org/reading-topics/reading-aloud\" target=\"_blank\">readingrockets.org<\/a>,   <\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote\"><p>&#8220;Reading aloud is one of the most important things parents and teachers can do with children. Reading aloud builds many important foundational skills, introduces vocabulary, provides a model of fluent, expressive reading, and helps children recognize what reading for pleasure is all about.&#8221;<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" src=\"https://theempoweredprovider.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/picsea-357048-unsplash-800x534.jpg\" alt=\"father reading a book to his baby\" class=\"wp-image-862\" srcset=\"https:\/\/theempoweredprovider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/picsea-357048-unsplash-800x534.jpg 800w, https:\/\/theempoweredprovider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/picsea-357048-unsplash-400x267.jpg 400w, https:\/\/theempoweredprovider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/picsea-357048-unsplash-768x513.jpg 768w, https:\/\/theempoweredprovider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/picsea-357048-unsplash-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/theempoweredprovider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/picsea-357048-unsplash-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/theempoweredprovider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/picsea-357048-unsplash-200x134.jpg 200w, https://theempoweredprovider.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/picsea-357048-unsplash.jpg 1078w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3><strong>HOW TO PREPARE FOR&nbsp;YOUR&nbsp;MYSTERY&nbsp;READERS:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Post a sign-up sheet (a blank calendar page works best) in your entryway. You could always go the electronic route using <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"signupgenius.com  (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https://www.signupgenius.com/\" target=\"_blank\">signupgenius.com .<\/a><\/li><li> Cross out dates on the calendar (your sign-up sheet) that aren&#8217;t conducive for a Mystery Reader to come and read. This will prevent someone from signing up on a day you are closed or a party day, etc.  <\/li><li>Determine what time of day you&#8217;ll allow the Mystery Reader to come and read to your group. (I always did the last 30 minutes of the day.)<\/li><li>Ask for <strong>volunteers <\/strong>to come and read to the kids in your group. (This could include parents, grandparents, older siblings, community helpers, high school athletes, the local county princess, etc. )<\/li><li>Inform your Mystery Readers that they can choose to bring a book of their choice or you are happy to supply one for them.  <\/li><li>Once you have collected all of your volunteers, figure out how you&#8217;re going to notify the kids which days have a mystery reader. <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"> <strong>Some ideas are:<\/strong> Put a list of dates in your newsletter, put a little symbol on their take home calendar on the days that a Mystery Reader will be visiting, put a sticker or symbol on your classroom calendar. We liked to use hearts because it was February! See example below:  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"688\" height=\"532\" src=\"https://theempoweredprovider.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/february-calendar-2017-graphic.jpg\" alt=\"february curriculum calendar\" class=\"wp-image-823\" srcset=\"https:\/\/theempoweredprovider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/february-calendar-2017-graphic.jpg 688w, https:\/\/theempoweredprovider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/february-calendar-2017-graphic-400x309.jpg 400w, https:\/\/theempoweredprovider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/february-calendar-2017-graphic-200x155.jpg 200w, https://theempoweredprovider.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/february-calendar-2017-graphic-319x247.jpg 319w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 688px) 100vw, 688px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3>MYSTERY READERS IN MOTION!<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https://theempoweredprovider.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/IMG_8738-800x533.jpg\" alt=\"woman with boy in her lap reading a book\" class=\"wp-image-863\" srcset=\"https:\/\/theempoweredprovider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/IMG_8738-800x533.jpg 800w, https:\/\/theempoweredprovider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/IMG_8738-400x267.jpg 400w, https:\/\/theempoweredprovider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/IMG_8738-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/theempoweredprovider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/IMG_8738-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/theempoweredprovider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/IMG_8738-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://theempoweredprovider.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/IMG_8738.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption>Moms can be Mystery Readers!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Be sure to give your Mystery Reader specific instructions on where to park, which door to enter and where to wait while you are getting the group settled. <\/li><li>About 5-10 minutes before your Mystery Reader is due to arrive,  gather the kids in your reading area. Have a chair ready for your reader. <\/li><li>This is a great time to quickly review story time etiquette with your group.<\/li><li><strong>Give Clues: <\/strong>I liked to write every child&#8217;s first name on the board and give clues so the kids could try to figure out who the Mystery Reader was affiliated with. <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>Option 1:<\/strong> You might say, &#8220;The Mystery Reader belongs to someone with a &#8220;c&#8221; in their name. Next, erase the names of everyone who did <u>not <\/u>have a &#8220;c&#8221; in their name. Give clues until only one child&#8217;s name was remaining.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>Option 2:<\/strong> Keep it simple and give out clues about the child specifically. &#8216;She has blonde hair. She likes to color. She plays hockey&#8230;etc&#8217;. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>Option 3: <\/strong>Simply wait for the Mystery Reader to &#8216;knock&#8217; and enter. All of the kids will be surprised at once!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https://theempoweredprovider.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/IMG_9056-800x533.jpg\" alt=\"woman reading to a group of kids\" class=\"wp-image-864\" srcset=\"https:\/\/theempoweredprovider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/IMG_9056-800x533.jpg 800w, https:\/\/theempoweredprovider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/IMG_9056-400x267.jpg 400w, https:\/\/theempoweredprovider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/IMG_9056-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/theempoweredprovider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/IMG_9056-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/theempoweredprovider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/IMG_9056-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/theempoweredprovider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/IMG_9056-200x133.jpg 200w, https://theempoweredprovider.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/IMG_9056.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption>Grandmas can be Mystery Readers!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img src=\"https://theempoweredprovider.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/rawpixel-579251-unsplash-800x531.jpg\" alt=\"thank you printed on a board\" class=\"wp-image-861\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3><strong>Send&nbsp;a&nbsp;Thank&nbsp;You&nbsp;Note!<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Mystery Readers are more than likely volunteers from your community or from the kids&#8217; families. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This creates a teachable moment about gratitude!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Have your kids write (or scribble) a Thank You card to show their appreciation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I Love to Read Month provides tons of opportunities to bring kids closer to books! What other ways do you celebrate I Love to Read Month with your group?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Learn about ways to help teach kids to care for books <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"HERE (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https://theempoweredprovider.com/teaching-kids-to-care-for-books/\" target=\"_blank\">HERE<\/a>! You can also find more curriculum &amp; activity ideas for February <a href=\"https://theempoweredprovider.com/february-theme-activity-ideas-for-family-child-care/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"HERE (opens in a new tab)\">HERE<\/a>!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In this post, I&#8217;m going to show you how you can easily host an on-going Mystery Reader event to support I Love to Read Month. Out of all of my 13 years of running a family child care business, this was by far my favorite community building activity. Hosting a Mystery Reader Will&#8230; Build community<\/p>\n<div class=\"read-more\"><a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https://theempoweredprovider.com/mystery-reader-activity/\">Continue Reading<\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2808,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","spay_email":"","jetpack_publicize_message":""},"categories":[136,41],"tags":[166,181],"featured_image_src":"https://theempoweredprovider.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/FEATURED-IMAGE-NEW_-HOW-TO-HOST-A-MYSTERY-READER-EVENT.jpg","featured_image_src_square":"https://theempoweredprovider.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/FEATURED-IMAGE-NEW_-HOW-TO-HOST-A-MYSTERY-READER-EVENT.jpg","author_info":{"display_name":"Roz Addler","author_link":"https://theempoweredprovider.com/author/rozaddler1/"},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https://theempoweredprovider.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/FEATURED-IMAGE-NEW_-HOW-TO-HOST-A-MYSTERY-READER-EVENT.jpg","jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https://wp.me/pafW5k-dO","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https://theempoweredprovider.com/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/856"}],"collection":[{"href":"https://theempoweredprovider.com/wp-json/wp/v2/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https://theempoweredprovider.com/wp-json/wp/v2/types/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https://theempoweredprovider.com/wp-json/wp/v2/users/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https://theempoweredprovider.com/wp-json/wp/v2/comments?post=856"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https://theempoweredprovider.com/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/856/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2809,"href":"https://theempoweredprovider.com/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/856/revisions/2809"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https://theempoweredprovider.com/wp-json/wp/v2/media/2808"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https://theempoweredprovider.com/wp-json/wp/v2/media?parent=856"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https://theempoweredprovider.com/wp-json/wp/v2/categories?post=856"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https://theempoweredprovider.com/wp-json/wp/v2/tags?post=856"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}