Encourage students to read with an ice cream party. Have classes in your school compete against one another to see who can read the most books in a month, and treat the winners to an ice cream party. Tally the number of books you read in class, and ask each student to keep track of the books they read at home.
Get your students reading with a movie night. Choose several books or stories that have inspired movies. For younger readers, "The Cat in the Hat" and "Cinderella" are good choices. Read the books with your students, or ask older readers to enjoy the novels on their own. Invite readers to a special viewing of the movie version of the book they read. Offer popcorn and other tasty treats while students and their families enjoy the movie.
Encourage students to read while helping those less fortunate, and ask local bookstores and libraries to take part. Challenge the students in your class to read 100 books in one month. If your students meet their goal, ask the bookstores and libraries to donate 100 books to give to needy children during the holidays. Plan a celebration party for students if they complete the challenge. In addition to enjoying music, treats and fun, provide wrapping paper, scissors and tape, and encourage your students to wrap up the books to be delivered to a local charity and given as holiday gifts.
Turn your classroom into a story book. Read a book with a fantastic setting, such as "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," "Robin Hood" or "The Cat in the Hat." Surprise students by turning the classroom into the setting from the book. For example, a "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" theme might include bright decorations, brown paper as a chocolate river, and, of course, plenty of candy.