Fun Fall Apple Tree Reading Log

Twenty minutes past bedtime, my daughter asked me to read her a story. We'd gotten home late from soccer practice, and I hurried everyone through their evening routines. Finally, I turned out the light and went to kiss Isabella goodnight. 

"Mommy, you have to read me a story," she announced.


I took a deep breath. 

"No, it's too late. You need to go to sleep."

"Mommy, you have to," she chirped. "It's my homework that you read me a bedtime story."

Sweet girl. It's true that her kindergarten teacher has asked that parents read aloud daily. Normally, we read plenty. Probably more than most families. So I wasn't worried about skipping a night. 

Still, I feel guilty.

I like much better the concept of a reading log like Liam, my third grader, has. We read extra on the nights that aren't as busy. Then we can skip or shorten the busy days and still read enough overall.

Little Kid Reading Log

I wanted to make a fun reading log that my kindergartners would love. A plain spreadsheet style one just wouldn't do. 

I remembered a display I had up one year when I taught fifth grade. On the wall, I taped up a HUGE paper tree. Then, I gave my students paper leaves and told them to write down titles of books they'd recommend to their classmates. The result was both interactive and attractive.

In designing a reading log, I wandered a bit and chose an apple tree. I love apple trees as a symbol of fall, and it's an easy shape to write inside of.

When I first made this, I did it as a color printout. I figured the parent would just write in book titles for the child, and nothing more. It looked really cute. 

Except my girls were NOT interested. They are all about coloring, so I made a black and white version and let them color it. They LOVE it!

I kept the color printout version too, for kids who don't like coloring all that much. So you have your choice. 

Free Printable

To get your free, 4-page printable reading log (two, 2-page versions), click the "pop-out" symbol at the top right of the preview below. Then you will see a print icon at the top.

Cut on the dotted line, and tape the two matching pages together.

The blank sign illustration is for the child's name. At first he or she should color the tree and banner, but leave the apples blank, especially if using crayon. Remember, crayon is hard to write on top of!

After reading or listening to a book, write the book title on an apple. THEN, color in the apple.

Now we have a fun way to keep track of our kindergarten homework. It's all downhill from here.

I've figured out how to deal with my strong-willed son and homework. It will be a new adventure learning how to juggle the homework needs of the twins on top of that. I hope we don't have too many late nights.


This post was part of the KBN Kindergarten Blog Hop. 

Be sure to check out all the other wonderful Apple-themed resources listed below.

Art - Apple Fingerprint Art by Kidz Activities

Field Trip - Apple Picking Field Trip Activities by Rainy Day Mum

Fine Motor - Fine Motor Color Matching Apple Sensory Bin by The Resourceful Mama

Math- Apple Fractions and Tasty Snack by Local Busy Bees

Music- Apple Song for ESL Students

Phonics - Apple Alphabet Match by Adventures of Adam

Reading- Feed the Worm Sight Word Game by Umbrella Tree Cafe

Science- Kindergarten STEM Apple Activity {with Free Printable} by Something 2 Offer

Writing - Apple Name Printable by P is for Preschooler