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Drop Everything and Read

Learn more about Drop Everything and Read

Exploring Colors
The learner will develop the ability to use science process skills through exploration with primary colors.
Format: lesson plan (grade K Visual Arts Education)
By Kristin Gray.
Jack-o-Light
We use pumpkins to demonstrate that fire needs air to burn. This goes really well with Fire Safety Week and our pumpkin unit. Also, we 'guesstimate' how many pumpkin seeds are in the pumpkin. We roast them afterwards by following a recipe. You can also create a Kids Pix picture of pumpkins.
Format: lesson plan (grade 1 English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science)
By Michele Tipton.
Understanding the Columbian Exchange
This lesson will help students think about the effects of the Columbian Exchange, particularly the exchange of disease as it affected the psychology of the Europeans and Native populations in the early settlement of the Americas.
Format: lesson plan (grade 8 Social Studies)
By Pauline S. Johnson.
Weathering the Water Cycle: A Conclusion
This lesson concludes the unit "Weathering the Water Cycle." As a result of this unit, students will understand that the water cycle is a continuous cycle made up of the three stages; evaporation, condensation, and precipitation.
Format: lesson plan (grade 2 and 5 )
By Cathie Hill, Jackie Parker, and Karen Neilson.
Fitness with a jumpstick
The lesson includes a variety of activities for strength, endurance, and flexibility with the use of a jumpstick. Intervals of jogging and exercises of major muscle groups include an element of fun. The teacher's leading role adds intensity and excitement to these activities.
Format: lesson plan (grade 1 )
By Bozena Mielczak.

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DEAR is classroom time set aside for teachers and students to Drop Everything and Read. The goal of DEAR is to encourage independent silent reading for extended periods of time on a daily or weekly basis. Students choose the book they wish to read based on interest and ability.

See also sustained silent reading.

Additional information

Guidelines for DEAR focus on protecting it as a sacred classroom time to encourage independent reading. It is not sacrificed to other tasks nor used as a filler activity if other lessons finish early. It is not a graded activity, although students may be encouraged to share recommendations or evaluations of books with their peers.

Students should bring books from home or select books before DEAR time begins. Recommendations for a time frame suggest beginning with five minutes for younger students and fifteen minutes for older students, increasing the time allowance as the academic year progresses.

Examples and resources

See Alta Allen’s article "Real-World Approaches to Reading" for further explanation of DEAR and suggestions for incorporating it and related strategies into the elementary classroom. In addition, see Read.Write.Think for a lesson plan using DEAR in the classroom.