I want my students to LOVE reading! As an RTI teacher, many of my students come to me with the attitude that they are “not good at reading” or they “don’t like reading”. Some of these are first grade students! This breaks my heart. I want to motivate reluctant readers so they look forward to reading time! My goal is to help them discover a love of reading and improve their skills so reading isn’t such a struggle.
How do I encourage young reluctant readers? I have found games (especially active games) are an instant hit! They inspire even the most hesitant reader to participate.
Easy Activities to Engage Reluctant Readers
Letter (Word) Swatter
Attach letter cards to a wall or table, add a couple of fly swatters, and you have an instant hit! I played this game with one of my intervention groups today and they loved it! I love how easy it is to prepare and differentiate. It is perfect for practicing letter names, letter sounds, and sight words.
How do you play? It’s easy. Attach letters or words to a wall or large table (I prefer a wall so all students in the group can see). Make sure the cards are within reach of your students. Give one student a fly swatter. If you want to create a competition, pass out two fly swatters (one to each team). Call out a letter, sound, or sight word you want your students to identify. Students then swat the card on the wall. I have found the movement and swatting make this activity a big hit (pun intended)! Easily differentiate by decreasing or increasing the number of cards on the wall.
This game could be used in older grades to review vocabulary, multiplication facts, states/capitals, or just about anything. Yes! Although they might think it silly at first, older kids love this just as much as the little ones!
Following Feathers
I found a bag of dyed feathers abandoned high on a shelf when I inherited my classroom. They almost found their way into the trash bin because I had no idea how to use them. Then a creative colleague suggested passing them out to my first graders to help them track their reading. “Following Feathers” were invented!
The feathers turned tracking into a game and my firsties love it! I like to change up our routine frequently and add new things to up the fun factor. After months, using “Following Feathers” is still one of their favorite ways to read.
Color-By-Code
Coloring + anything = FUN! Reading is no exception. My kiddos love coloring. I tend to use color-by-code when I am trying to work one on one with students (assessing or providing interventions). These coloring activities are engaging, self-checking, and still provide much needed academic practice. My favorites include Contractions Color-By-Code, B/D Letter Reversal Activities, and Rhyming Words Color-By-Code!
How do you motivate reluctant readers? I would love to hear your ideas! Together we are better! Drop me a comment below.
