# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Research shows that students whose teachers spend too much time talking are less likely to be engaged during classroom instruction. Luckily, reading instruction can be so much more than lecture, reading practice, memorization, or decoding drills. We, as teachers, can do more to get our students engaged in learning to read.

List of Reading Activities

Here is a list of fourteen student engagement strategies from a webinar presented by Reading Horizons Chief Education Officer, Stacy Hurst, that you can use to increase student engagement during reading instruction or reading intervention:

1. Partner Pretest

Before teaching a new decoding skill or grammar rule, preface the lesson with a pretest. Let your students know that you will not score the test, lowering anxiety and increasing student performance. Pair students up for the pretest and have them use the same set of materials. If the pretest is on a computer or iPad, have students share the device between the two of them. During the pretest, walk around the room to gauge student needs and adjust the lesson accordingly. When lesson material matches student ability and understanding, engagement is higher. Make sure that the pretest is similar to the posttest so you can see how much your students retain during your lesson.

2. Stand Up/Sit Down

You can use this activity to help students learn to differentiate between similar but different reading concepts. For instance, when you're trying to help your students understand the difference between common nouns and proper nouns, you can give examples of each and have students stand up if it is a common noun or sit down if it is a proper noun. This is a great way to see how much of your class is grasping the material while getting their blood flowing-helping them stay alert.

3. Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down

This activity provides a quick way to gauge if your students are comprehending a story or to test them on different reading skills. Instruct students to put their thumbs up if they agree with a statement or to put their thumbs down if they disagree. When students have a low energy level (i.e. right after lunch) Stand Up/Sit Down may be a better alternative. However, if you need to maintain your students' current energy level Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down is ideal.

4. Secret Answer

This activity is great for students that might not be confident in their answers-students that look around the class when doing Stand Up/Sit Down or Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down to see how the other students' answer before they answer themselves. To give students a secret way to answer, assign different responses a number and have students hold up the number of fingers that correspond to the answer they think is correct. To do this exercise properly, have your students place their hand near their heart (physically) with the appropriate number of fingers raised to indicate their answer. This way, especially if all the students are facing the teacher, it is difficult for students to copy their neighbor's answer.

5. Response Cards

This is a great way to mix things up a bit. Have students create a stack of typical responses, including agree/disagree, true/false, yes/no, greater than/less than, multiple-choice options, and everyday emotions. After students have created their response cards, you can have them use them to respond in various settings. For example, while reading a book together as a class, you may pause and ask your students what they think the character is feeling right now. The students then select one of the everyday emotion cards from their personal stack of cards and lift it up to answer the question.

6. Think-Pair-Share

This activity allows students to pause and process what they have just learned. After reading a passage in a book, ask your class a question that they must first consider by themselves. After giving them time to think, have them discuss the question with their neighbor. Once they've discussed the question, invite students to share their answers with the class. By giving them this time to process, you enable them to be more engaged in their learning.

7. Quick Writes

Studies show that the proper ratio of direct instruction to reflection time for students is ten to two. That means that teachers need to provide students with two minutes of reflection for every ten minutes of instruction. This activity is a great way to give students that much-needed reflection time! In this activity, ask a question about a reading passage and have students write a response to share with a neighbor or the entire class.

8. One Word Splash

After reading a passage or learning new vocabulary terms, ask your students to write down one word that they feel sums up that material. This might seem overly simplistic, but it requires higher processing skills to help your students digest what they are reading. Students can do this with pencil/paper or a dry erase marker/personal whiteboard.

9. Quick Draw

This activity is perfect for visual learners or students who aren't entirely writing yet. After reading a part of a story or learning a new concept or topic, have your students draw a picture about what they've just read or understood. For example, after reading part of the story Jack and the Beanstalk, have your students draw what has happened in the story up to that point. A student may draw a picture of a boy planting seeds with a beanstalk growing in the background.

10. Gallery Walk

To help students get some of their energy out, have them do a Gallery Walk to see their peers' work. This activity is an excellent add-on to Quick Writes and Quick Draw. Because students seek approval from their peers, they will put more effort into their work when they know the class will view it.

11. A-Z Topic Summary
Help students connect the dots after finishing a book, a learning module, or a lesson. Have your students complete an A-Z Topic Summary either as individuals or in pairs. If it is an individual activity, have students write either a word or a sentence that connects to the book, module, or lesson for each letter of the alphabet. For example, if you learned about baking, they might write a sentence for the letter A such as: "Always preheat the oven before baking." To speed up the activity, you can assign students to work in pairs or assign a letter to each student or team and have them write a sentence for that letter rather than the whole alphabet.
12. 3-2-1
This is a quick way to help students process reading or lesson material when you're pressed for time. First, have your students write three facts they learned from something they read or learned in class that day. Next, have students write two questions about the book or topic that wasn't covered or discussed in class. Finally, have your students write one opinion they have about the reading material or lesson. This activity can also help you plan for the next lesson on the topic or book.
13. Find Your Match
This is another activity that gets your students up and moving. Create card matches that correlate to a storyline in a book, vocabulary terms, figures of speech, grammar rules, etc. For example, your card matches might include the following concepts (depending on grade level): rhyming words, uppercase/lowercase, antonyms/synonyms, words/definitions, problem/solution, and words/pictures. Hand out one card to each student in the class and then get up and find the other student with the matching card.
14. Dictation
One of our favorite teaching activities is Dictation! It is highly effective in engaging students because it is multisensory explicit phonics instruction involving: auditory, visual, kinesthetic, and tactile senses. Having a multisensory approach increases working memory and integrates all language skills/modalities. To do Dictation, have students listen to a word, repeat the word out loud, write it out on paper, and then have them read the word out loud again. View an example of Dictation in action here . Have you tried any of these activities in your classroom? If so, leave a comment and let us know which ones are your favorites and why.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
14 Activities That Increase Student Engagement During Reading Instruction

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Research shows that students whose teachers spend too much time talking are less likely to be engaged during classroom instruction. The good news is that there are many activities that will enable you to spend less time talking and more time getting your students engaged during reading instruction.

# data[].attributes.body
These games can be edited to fit any subject area for concept practice or review! You can use ones that have been already created or create your own.

# data[].attributes.body
https://play.kahoot.it/#/k/134658aa-7366-4f90-9239-575a7d0297a8

# data[].attributes.headline
STEM Bins are great for IE and early finishers.    I have planning sheets and writing responses to incorporate writing.  These activities incorporate all academic areas plus problem solving and creativity.

# data[].attributes.subject
STEM Bins are great for IE and early finishers.    I have planning sheets and writing responses to incorporate writing.  These activities incorporate all academic areas plus problem solving and creativity.

# data[].attributes.body
http://4theloveofteaching.blogspot.com/2016/02/vocabulary-basketball.html

# data[].attributes.body
Create memory games for vocab, sight words, or math. For example, the students would match the vocab word with the definition.

# data[].attributes.body
Give students an iPad and have them take a picture of a real world item that shows different shapes. They can use drawing tool to outline the shape to show teacher/peers.

# data[].attributes.body
- any word pattern
-parts of a book
- text/ graphic features
- facts about a topic
- math: graph, number with ___ in the tens place, time, number written in word form

# data[].attributes.body
6th grade students bar graph daily morning math and analyze strengths and identify concepts to work on. At the end of each week students write a detailed summary of their progress (Mathews & Osman).

# data[].attributes.body
http://www.thehappyteacher.co/2017/09/sight-word-activities-for-parents.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=pinterest&utm_campaign=tailwind_tribes&utm_content=tribes&m=1http://www.thehappyteacher.co/2017/09/sight-word-activities-for-parents.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=pinterest&utm_campaign=tailwind_tribes&utm_content=tribes&m=1

# data[].attributes.body
An interactive game to tell time with a partner

# data[].attributes.body
Quizlet live requires students to work together to win a game-like activity. Quizlet is set up in a generic word/definition set up, but can be altered to fit what you want. Quizlet live requires each students to have a computer/iPad then they have pseudo answers on each of the computers but one, while one student has the correct answer. A live scoreboard can be displayed. If one answer is incorrect, it takes the score back to zero, so students need to take their time and agree on answers before submitting.

# data[].attributes.body
Practicing high frequency words; can use a ball to toss between students when spelling the words.

# data[].attributes.body
Play musical chairs for supply and demand. Lower the supply (take away chairs) as the demand grows (more people stay in the game). As people exit the game, add more chairs back in. Students learn how supply and demand affect the economy.

# data[].attributes.body
https://www.teachingchannel.org/videos/humor-in-the-classroomhttps://www.teachingchannel.org/videos/humor-in-the-classroom

# data[].attributes.body
Can apply to multiple subjects - science (items made of wood or paper), math (different shapes, specific numbers), reading (sight words, letters), writing (spacing and punctuation on environmental print).

# data[].attributes.body
Koziol has students create vocab cards similarly to the Journeys cards. They select words that might be a struggle then replicate the vocab cards with the word, sentence, drawing and more.

# data[].attributes.body
Go to spellingcity.com and register (it’s free to do the basic version). You can post spelling words for kids to practice inside or outside of school. It has games as well for kids to practice. You can also use for vocabulary practice as well.

# data[].attributes.body
http://toengagethemall.blogspot.com/2013/02/grudgeball-review-game-where-kids-attack.html?m=1

# data[].attributes.body
Use a variety of different materials to practice writing: dry erase boards, shaving cream, playdoh, magnet letters, gel bags, letter beads, etc.

# data[].attributes.body
1. Students each pick 3 words to write on notecards.
2. Choose a conversation topic.
3. Record video using their chosen words in a "natural" conversation (in context).

# data[].attributes.body
Interactive break time videos

# data[].attributes.body
Start a notebook with a story prompt. Early finishers can go add a paragraph/ page to the story. When story ends, start a new prompt!
-Thanks for the idea from Renee!

# data[].attributes.body
Partners take turns, one solving a problem while the other coaches. This is good for math and allows the teacher to walk around while students work. Modeling before hand helps too.

*Can be used with worksheets, oral problems, or with manipulatives

1. Partner A explains how to solve the first problem

2. Partner B watches and listens, checks, "coaches" if necessary, and praises

3. Partner B explains how to solve the next problem.

4. Partner A watches and listens, checks, coaches if necessary, and praises

5. Partners repeat taking turns solving successive problems.

Helps to have students sit next to each other and only have one pencil & paper (or math board) to share.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Dr. Kagan's cooperative learning strategy "Rally Coach"

# data[].attributes.body
Use movement and song to 'map' things on body: formal letter, continents, etc.

# data[].attributes.body
Eby talked about how the environment of the classroom affects learning. When she was in elementary she didn't necessarily remember a lesson, but she remembered that she enjoyed the atmosphere of the class which engaged her.

# data[].attributes.body
Student can put their story online to share with parents and family.

# data[].attributes.body
Print off multiple copies of your weekly vocabulary words (one for each student). Have students stand in a circle and place the word down in front of them. Play music while kids walk or dance to the music. When music stops, teacher reads vocabulary word clue and if student is standing on the word they can have a dance off or you can play competitively and students can be ‘out’. Different variations can be used.

# data[].attributes.body
Bring in “trash” from a mysterious “neighbor” who just moved in down the street that I’ve never seen, and have students help me inference what the neighbors are like based on their “trash.”

# data[].attributes.body
https://www.theowlteacher.com/teaching-elaboration-in-writing/

# data[].attributes.body
Have students journey back in time for a social studies lesson, complete a scenario, then journal about their experience.

# data[].attributes.body
This is an app that allows students to work on an iPad that is controlled by the teacher. Responses are saved for teacher to see later-can also be projected. http://www.nearood.com

# data[].attributes.body
https://www.readinghorizons.com/blog/14-classroom-activities-that-increase-student-engagementhttps://www.readinghorizons.com/blog/14-classroom-activities-that-increase-student-engagement

# data[].attributes.body
Wendy does this with her class to practice plotting coordinate points. They push desks into a grid format and act as the ships.

# data[].attributes.body
I HAVE, WHO HAS? This game is great for practicing definitions for vocab. for all subject areas. We have used it for reading time.

# data[].attributes.body
Have students get into groups to create a charde for a vocab word and then share with the class

# data[].attributes.body
https://youtu.be/SHhHe6JPABghttps://youtu.be/SHhHe6JPABg

# data[].attributes.body
This is a good activity to get students moving, interacting with each other, as well as learning several new things through the teaching of their fellow classmate.

# data[].attributes.body
http://musingsfromthemiddleschool.blogspot.com/2016/02/collaboration-station-engagement.html

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Pick a Corner: Engaging Students and Encouraging Critical Thinking

# data[].attributes.body
http://musingsfromthemiddleschool.blogspot.com/2016/01/read-around-groups-engagement.html

# data[].attributes.body
http://musingsfromthemiddleschool.blogspot.com/2016/01/the-scavenger-hunt-engagement.html

# data[].attributes.headline
8 Ways Teachers Can Talk Less and Get Kids Talking More.

# data[].attributes.subject
8 Ways Teachers Can Talk Less and Get Kids Talking More.

# data[].attributes.body
https://thecornerstoneforteachers.com/8-ways-teachers-can-talk-less-get-kids-talking/

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Uploaded by Robert McKenzie on 2016-11-04.

# data[].attributes.body
https://anethicalisland.wordpress.com/2013/07/10/connecting-with-students/

# data[].attributes.body
Have each student find a partner for each of the 4 seasons. At any time spin or call out a season, each student will find that partner and do activity with or answer question with.

# data[].attributes.body
Number off your students 1's and 2's. The 1's will be on the inside of the circle and the 2's will be on the outside. Give a question and have either the 1's or the 2's answer. Then rotate either the inside circle or the outside circle, ask another question or let the opposite number share the last question.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
How to introduce Think, Pair, Share in your classroom.-- Created using PowToon -- Free sign up at http://www.powtoon.com/ . Make your own animated videos and animated presentations for free. PowToon is a free tool that allows you to develop cool animated clips and animated presentations for your website, office meeting, sales pitch, nonprofit fundraiser, product launch, video resume, or anything else you could use an animated explainer video.

# data[].attributes.body
Ask a question, each student moves around the room until the music stops, when the music stops the student stops and talks with whoever they are near. Then play music again and repeat process.

# data[].attributes.body
http://theappliciousteacher.com/9-ways-engagement-lesson/