All students are required to keep a reading log. Sometimes those have questions and/or prompts on them as well. The idea is that kids keep track of how much they read, how fast they read, what level and what genre book they read, and so forth. This information helps the teacher know how to guide the student, and it helps the student set goals. I agree this practice is useful to both student and teacher. However, I am not a fan of the paper log, especially when so many tools exist that allow it to be recorded digitally.

For the last couple of years, I used Reading Glue. I liked it because parents had an account as well. It was easy to use and allowed the Guided Reading System, A-Z to be tracked. Well, as of this year, Reading Glue is no longer operating, so I went searching around for another digital tool. I found Biblionasium which was a tool I used with my classes over six years ago.

It is good that it is still around because now it is associated with Follett and Destiny which is our library’s system for check-out. My students can log into their library accounts and within a few clicks, get to Biblionasium. It reminds me of Shelfari, which I loved, (Sadly, it is gone, too.) because the book covers are on shelves. There is a read list and to read list and since it is tied to our system, students can see books in our library that are in and those that are out. It does allow the entry of books read not in our library.

The log is easy to use and has a place for student thinking in the comment section. It is easy for me to check student logs. I can move through by clicking on Next Student so I don’t have to return to the group page and click on a new student every time.

Inside this program, students can make recommendations, write reviews, and set goals. There is a challenge option that either students or teachers can use, too.

We have been using the log and comments for about two weeks.  I am anxious to get them into the social book club aspect of the site. We have recently started our own book clubs so it would add another dimension to the idea of sharing thinking about a book.

If you are looking for a digital way to collect reading logs, you might give Biblionasium a try.