At Back to School Night – I always have a Mystery Reader Sign-up. This is one of those ideas that if you aren't doing it – you should start this year! A Mystery Reader is a surprise visit from a family member (moms, dads, grandparents, siblings, uncles, aunts, etc). They bring a favorite picture book to read. One of my traditions is I always let the child sit next to the family member as they read. It is such a grand moment! I have had students from previous years come as Mystery Readers!
I like to set up a specific day and time period for Mystery Readers such as Fridays afternoons. I write in the dates available on my sign-up form. (see below) It is easier on my planning! Next, I transfer the information from the sign-up form to my reminder slips. I clip these on to my lesson plan pages – ready to go when it is time.
I will schedule only one Mystery Reader per Friday. Here is a download of my Mystery Reader flyer and reminder slips:
Click here to download.
A few of the amazing mystery readers from my classroom:
I had Mystery Readers back when I taught First… loved it! It was such a great way to get families involved. Now that I am teaching two sessions of K I haven’t started back up again, it was just too overwhelming for me. However I now do a 12 days of Christmas and have Parents sign up to come and read a book the 12 days before we get out for Winter Break… they love it.
This is such a super idea! I love it! Thank you so much for sharing it. I love finding ways to include those things that are beloved and yet, can be overwhelming! What a gem!
What a cute idea!
The children love it!
ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS, it adds something fresh to the school year!!
Fantastic idea for parents engagement. ..I absolutely love it…thanks for sharing
Hi
I was just wondering does the child who’s mum it is know they are the mystery reader? Or is it a surprise to them too?
Jaydine
It is a surprise to them as well!!! So fun!
Do you ever have more requests than Fridays? Do you ask which book they would like to share so that you are not getting repeats?
Yes – I always work with the parent’s schedules. I found it helps families commit to have a dedicated day – and that said I would try to accommodate any special days and times. I do not ask what book they are reading. In all the years I have done this – it never made a difference if a book was shared 2 or more times. They loved it the same the next time. A good read is a good read.
I love it. What wonderful way for including the
whanau/family and the wider community I’m going to give it ago if the team is onboard with this.
I did Mystery Reader this year in 1st. I have the reader provide five clues as to who they are. Starting on Monday I read a clue each day to build excitement. The Mystery Reader comes in on the last Friday o the month. It can be really funny to hear their guesses. One student was convinced he was the Mystery Reader ????
I love this!!! What a great idea! Do you have a form you use to have the Mystery Reader fill out to base your clues on? This so good! Thank you for sharing!
Yes, I do have a form. They fill out the clues and send it back to me. I ask that the clues start out very generic and becme more specific by the last one.
Here is an example from my last reader this year:
I like sports
My favorite food is pizza
I have blue eyes
I grew up on a farm
I work in an airport
Where would I find that form?
Hi! Did you see the blue “download” links? That should give you access to all of the documents. I think you and your class will LOVE having mystery readers!
Mystery Readers, what a great idea. This would be a special way to hopefully have children be attentive when the story is being told.
Love this idea. I am posting the information today at each classroom to request “Mystery Readers”. Thanks for the downloads.
The children really enjoy the buildup and excitement of “Mystery Readers.” I have to admit, I get excited, too!
I love this very great for Fridays
Fridays are a perfect day for mystery readers. I can’t wait to hear how it turns out for you!
I had parent volunteers come in & read after recess when I taught elementary grades. It was wonderful!
What a great idea! Thank for sharing, I’m going to include it for next year! I think the kids will love it!!!
Hi Sally,
You are always so willing to share your amazing ideas and I just want you to know how much I appreciate your generosity!
Thank you, Kristina, for your kind words. It’s a joy to share and collaborate with all of you wonderful people!
I have been using Mystery Readers for years but I add an additional element: I ask the reader to supply three clues about his/her identity. I read one clue on each of the three days prior to the visit and the kids try to guess the Mystery Reader.
Such a fabulous idea. I have never heard about a Mystery reader but am defiantly going to start it up after our term break here in New Zealand. Thank you so much for sharing all your welcome ideas.
Love this idea. During our training this year we formed committees to improve the school. I am on the parent involvement committee and thank you to Fairy Dust Teaching and The Wonder Tribe, I am ready to contribute well!
What amazing idea Sally
I’am going to start next week
Thank you so much I have learn so much
From you my nurseries have changed since
You been teaching me.
Mystery Readers!! Such a cool idea and I can totally see how the children would have a lot of excitement about participating in this activity. This is a fabulous way to incorporate other domains of learning in the “Who? Why? What?” structure, and it also gets their brains really working! How fun!
Thank you for sharing this beautiful idea, with all the downloads..This looks more organized and involving:)