Welcome!
On this site you will find information and strategies to utilize in the classroom setting.
*This site is continually being managed and updated. There may be times where areas may seem incomplete.*
Read easy books to younger students
Build student confidence by having struggling readers read an easy book to a younger student (4th grade with 1st grade for example)
Group or individual pre-reading: activate prior knowledge
Have students discuss what they are going to be reading about and become familiar with it before they begin reading
“Telling Boards”
Have students draw a simple picture to represent what they read as they go along throughout the book
Reader’s Theater
Put students into groups and pick a script that is appropriate for their reading level. Have students practice the script multiple times and perform it when proficiency is demonstrated. Make reading fun by allowing students to wear simple costumes when they perform.
Word Pattern Road Race
Students read through a stack of cards until they reach the first word in the left column of the board, students may then move their game piece, students read through the stack again until they find the second word in the column, students continue to do so until they reach the end of the game board (students race each other in reading words)
Word Folder
Create a word folder for each student using a manilla folder and writing the letters of the alphabet in it. Give each student a baggy of words in which they need more practice on, when students read a word correctly place a check mark on the back of the card. When the student reaches 5 check marks on the back of a card write the word in the correct letterbox in their manilla folder. Continue to add words to the students baggy as they master them.
Slap!
Have students get into pairs and hand each pair of students 2 sets of cards. Notify the students, which cards will be “slap” cards. Each student takes a turn flipping over a card and reading it, when a slap card comes the first student to slap the deck and read the word correctly collects the pile of cards.
Phoneme Chant
“It begins with /?/!”
“And it ends in /?/”
“Put them together,”
“And they say __________!”
Word Hunt
Have students locate sight words and other newly learned words in books they are going to be reading before they begin reading.
Student Choice
Poetry Coffee Shops
Turn your classroom into a coffee shop, or designate a portion of your classroom as a coffee shop, with mood lighting, pretend mugs and other coffee shop items. As the teacher, sit in the coffee shop and listen to students practice reading poetry, reader’s theater presentations, or writing of his or her own.
Allowing students to have some choice in what they read at school can help improve their motivation for wanting to read. Giving students the option of different books they can choose can help give them a sense of independence and control in the classroom.
Book Club
Give students the option of a couple of different books to read. Have them pick the one that sounds most interesting to them. Students who choose the same book will then be part of a “book club” together. This will motivate students to stay on top of their reading so they are ready for their discussion time with their group. This minimizes student nerves because the topic of conversation is already present and all students feel they are part of the “in” crowd.
