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Moments of the day

Reading time

Reading time is a quiet moment in the day when students can enjoy books, build their literacy skills, and develop a lifelong love of reading. Whether it’s independent reading, paired reading, or a whole-class read-aloud, this time helps students settle, reset, and focus.

Projecting a classroom screen gives clear structure and gentle reminders. Visual timers, reading expectations, and calming backgrounds help students transition smoothly and stay engaged. It’s easy to adapt a template for your grade and routine.

Templates for Reading time

Why teachers like it

  • Helps students transition smoothly into reading time.
  • Keeps expectations and routines visible for all learners.
  • Supports calm, independent, and focused reading in any classroom.

How to set it up

  1. 1Pick a reading time template for your grade level.
  2. 2Customize the screen: set the timer, add your reading expectations, and choose a background.
  3. 3Project the screen at the start of reading time.
  4. 4Use the timer and visual cues to guide students through the reading block.
  5. 5Wrap up with a quick check-in or reflection prompt if you wish.

Tips

  • Use calming backgrounds or soft music to set the mood.
  • Add a checklist for what students should bring or do during reading time.
  • Let students know when a transition is coming by setting a visible timer.
  • Include a rotation or name picker for paired or group reading activities.

Questions teachers ask

How do I keep students focused during reading time?

Projecting clear expectations and a visual timer helps students know what to do and how long they have. You can also add gentle reminders or routines on the screen.

Can I use these screens for any grade?

Yes, there are templates for every grade from kindergarten to high school. You can adapt each template to your class’s needs.

What if I want to change the routine?

You can edit all elements of the screen—timers, instructions, backgrounds, and widgets—to fit your reading block.

Widgets on this screen

See also