Extreme Reading

Extreme Reading Ideas for Primary Teachers: Inspire a Love for Books Anywhere!

Reading is one of the most valuable skills we teach children, and it can be a magical adventure when we bring creativity and fun into the mix. One exciting way to encourage pupils to read is through extreme reading challenges – taking books to unusual places or reading in imaginative ways. Here’s a guide packed with ideas and inspiration to help primary teachers use extreme reading to ignite a love for books in their classrooms.

What is extreme reading?

Extreme reading is all about reading in unconventional or surprising locations or situations. The goal is to create a buzz around reading, showing pupils that books can be enjoyed anytime, anywhere – whether you’re upside down on a sofa, perched in a tree, or balancing on a beam!

Examples of extreme reading:

Benefits of extreme reading

Extreme reading adds an element of excitement to reading, motivating even reluctant readers. If children are interested and engaged in reading, they will be more likely to develop their literacy skills. Extreme reading also helps to boost creativity by thinking of fun and unusual places to enjoy books.

Extreme Reading Ideas for Your Classroom

1. Host an Extreme Reading Challenge

Invite pupils to find the most unusual (but safe!) places to read their favourite books. Share guidelines and encourage them to take photos or write about their experience.

• Examples:

  • Reading upside down on the sofa

  • Reading in a den built out of blankets

  • Reading while wearing fancy dress

• Involve Families: Ask parents or carers to support at home, capturing moments like reading in the garden, on a swing or with a pet.

2. Take Reading Outdoors

Organise an outdoor reading day where pupils bring books and find quirky spots on school grounds to read.

• Encourage them to:

  • Read in a treehouse or on a picnic blanket

  • Climb safely into a low tree to read

  • Lay out under the clouds with their book

3. Create an Extreme Reading Display

Set up a classroom or corridor display where pupils can share photos and stories of their extreme reading adventures.

• Add captions like: “Lara reading on a trampoline” or “Ethan’s reading challenge: upside down under the table!”

• Include teacher contributions to show pupils that adults love books in weird and wonderful places too.

4. Incorporate Extreme Reading in School Events

Tie extreme reading into school-wide activities like World Book Day or a reading week.

• Host an extreme reading costume parade, where pupils and staff dress up as book characters and read in unusual spots.

• Launch a whole-school competition with prizes for the most creative entries.

5. Turn It Into a Writing Prompt

Ask pupils to write a short story about their extreme reading experience. How did they choose their spot? Did something unexpected happen while they were reading? What did they discover in the story?

6. Challenge Teachers to Participate

Inspire pupils by modeling the behavior you want to see. Take a book to a climbing frame, sit in a strange spot, or balance while reading, and share your own extreme reading adventure.

• Post photos in the staffroom or classroom to spark curiosity!