15 Creative Ways to Keep a Homeschool Reading Log

Are you wondering how you can keep track of all the books you read in your homeschool? Let’s talk about some creative ways to keep a homeschool reading log that works for your family.

We read a lot in our homeschool! I’ve struggled to keep track of what we’ve read all together, not to mention what each child has read on their own. Thats a lot of keeping track through the day to day.

Stick around to the end and I’ll tell you the system that we used this year for keeping a homeschool reading log.

But first, let’s go over what a reading log is, how a reading log is beneficial to keep, and some creative ways of keeping one.

What is a Homeschool Reading Log?

A reading log is simply a system of keeping track of what books you’ve read. It can be as simple as a list of titles or full record and rating for each book.

As a homeschooling family, the great part is, you get to decide what info you would find most helpful to keep track of. Some additional reading log information you can gather is: genre, author, title, date, page numbers, short review, or opinion rating.

A reading log is great for tracking the number of books you’ve read in a year or over the summer.

What Books Do I Record In Our Homeschool Reading Log?

Do I keep track of our family read alouds? What about each kids independent reading? Is there such a thing as a picture book reading log? All of these are great questions.

First of all, check to see if you have any homeschool state requirements in this area. If you have a specific way you have to report your child’s reading progress for your state, that needs to be one of your first considerations.

Other than proper reporting for your state (if any is even required), there are no right or wrong ways of keeping a reading log. Some families collectively compile a reading log, and others give each of their students their own personal reading log.

And if you’ve got little ones, sure, you can keep track of all the picture books you’ve read! (Think about how sentimental that would become as your kids get older.)

What Are the Benefits of Keeping a Homeschool Reading Log?

Here are four main benefits of keeping a homeschool reading log: for information, for showing progress, for homeschool portfolios, and for sentimental reasons.

1. A homeschool reading log gives you helpful book information for future use

If you put together a homeschool reading record, you will find it to be an invaluable resource as you continue to educate your kids. You can look back and see which books your kids have already read, avoid duplicates, or revisit favorites.

And if you are homeschooling multiple kids, you can refer to your previous reading logs and create an instant book list for your younger kids based off of books you’ve already enjoyed.

2. A homeschool reading log shows progress

Looking over a full or completed reading log gives you and your student a sense of achievement. It shows progress made and helps to build confidence in the area of reading.

3. A homeschool reading log is good for homeschool portfolios

Whether you keep a homeschool portfolio for state requirements or if you do one each year to keep a record of your child’s progress, a reading log is a great thing to add.

4. A homeschool reading log is sentimental

Think of all the hours you’ve spent sitting next to your kids, listening to them read, the struggles and the successes.

Think of all the the books that made you laugh and cry together. Each book was a journey you took together and a reading log keeps those memories alive.

15 Creative Ways to Keeping a Homeschool Reading Log

Now to the fun part! Here are 15 creative ways you can keep a homeschool reading log.

1. Make your own homeschool reading log

For a no-fuss reading log option, grab a piece of copy paper or lined paper and start writing! You can keep it posted on the fridge or slip it in your teacher binder.

2. Printable homeschool reading log

If you are looking for a book tracker that is already put together, or something with a little bit of design, you can visit Etsy or Teachers Pay Teachers and do a quick search for homeschool reading logs, and a plethora of options will pop up.

3. Keep a reading log in your planner

If you are a planner person, keep a reading log in there. And if you use a homeschool planner, it more than likely, already comes with a built in homeschool reading log.

4. Homeschool reading log on Goodreads

You can keep track of all the books that you’ve read with your kids on Goodreads. All you have to do is learn how scan the title on Goodreads with your phone and you’re good to go

5. Calendar homeschool reading log

Using a blank calendar page or a family calendar, mark the books you’ve read on the days you finished them. This is an easy method and very accessible.

6. Book tower picture

Have you seen those instagram pictures with the kids sitting next to the pile of books they read that year? Its is a really neat visual that you would put in their homeschool portfolios or even frame. Its also a motivating challenge for kids to see how high they can make their book towers.

7. Reading timeline

Create a timeline for the year and have your kids place a picture of the cover of each book they read and place it along the timeline as the year progresses. (Check out an example of this reading timeline on homeschoolnotes.com.)

8. Free printable homeschool reading logs

Looking for a free printable homeschool reading log? Check out the free printable homeschool reading logs available on homeschoolgiveways.com for lots of great options.

9. Mapping books around the world

Get a large world map and have your kids place a pin or write the title on the places where each of the stories took place (or where the author was from). This a creative way to learn about different cultures as well as world geography.

10. Reading Journal

A reading journal not only records the books that kids have read, but also leaves space for notebooking and information they’ve learned. You can check out homeschoolgiveaways.com for a free reading journal or check out this beautiful reading journal by notconsumed.com.

Another thrifty option would be to create your own reading journal using reading comprehension graphic organizers. In this way, you could have your kids learn about sequencing, reading comprehension, prediction, cause/effect, and book reporting while recording each book read.

11. Complete a summer reading challenge

A reading log can be for any set amount of time and summer is a great time to keep track of the books you’ve read. freehomeschooldeals.com has free summer reading challenges available on their website or you can check out the summer reading challenge here on inspirethemom.com.

12. Reading log bookmarks

Print off some reading log bookmarks and have your kids keep them with them as they travel through a stack of books. This is a really handy way to keep track of the books they read while practicing a little self-responsibility. (Note: You could also do a reward for each bookmark completed.)

13. Reading log index cards

For each book fill out an index card. On one side, write a simple review or narration and on the other side draw a picture of something that took place in the story. You can get a special box for these reading log cards or put them all on a card ring.

14. Bookworm tracker

Here is one for the little kids! Build a bookworm along the wall using pre-cut circles. Each time you finish a book, you write the title on a new circle and add it to the length of the bookworm.

15. Reading log paper chain

Paper chains aren’t only for Christmas countdowns–they also make a fabulous reading motivator. Have kids add a link with a new title every time they finished a book and see how long you can get your chain to be!

The Reading Logs We Use in Our Homeschool:

We’ve tried quite a few of these ideas over the years. But for this past school year, I kept track of our family read alouds, as well as, any audio books we’ve completed in my digital homeschool planner.

My kids, however, have had their own personal kids reading logs in their morning binders where they have tracked all the chapter books they have completed over the past school year.

With that being said, now that it’s just about summertime, we are putting away the printable homeschool reading logs and doing a fun summer reading challenge using this 100 books coloring sheet I found on Etsy.

Quick Homeschool Reading Log FAQs

How do you maintain a reading log?

Choose a reading log system that works for you and be consistent with recording each completed book.

What do you write in a reading log?

Any or all of the following: title, author, genre, date, page numbers, time spent reading, questions, a short review, or an opinion rating.

How do you start a reading log?

Choose a book tracking system that works for you and begin!

Should students have reading logs?

Reading logs can be very beneficial for attaining book information, for showing progress, for building educational portfolios, for encouragement, and for sentimental memorabilia.

Need A Book List?

What is your favorite homeschool reading log idea?

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