How to Create Reading Games

Help students improve their reading skills through games.

Creating various types of reading games helps students gain a clearer understanding of what they read and to practice reading skills, and playing reading games provides an opportunity for students to use what they read or learned in a fun setting. Adapt each game to the grade level of the students in the classroom. For example, younger students require easier questions than older students for the quiz game. Reuse the games by swapping out the questions or sentences for others.

Instructions

1. Create a quiz game that covers a book or other literary works. Write up a list of questions featuring authors, plot point, characters, scenes, quotes and other details. Arrange the questions in categories or use a random draw. Set up the show like "Jeopardy!" or ask the student questions in turns This type of game works well for test reviews.

2. Split the students into small teams of three or four people. Give the entire class a list of 10 to 15 random words, including verbs, adjectives and nouns. Instruct the student to work together to write a story using the words in 10 minutes. Each team chooses a member to read aloud their story. You could also provide a story with words missing and instruct the students to fill in the blanks.

3. Write seven to 10 two to three paragraph stories. Create stories that outline a character doing a particular process, such as baking cookies. Write each sentence on a slip of paper or on a board in a random order. The students have to arrange the sentences to create the story. They will use logic to put the sentences in the correct order. Read the proper order of the sentences at the end of the activity.

4. Instruct the students to draw the cover of a book they read on a piece of paper. Their version does not need to match the published version. The students then write up a short synopsis of the book on the back of their created cover. Set a "price" for each book. Give each student play money. Set up the books around the room. The students "buy" the covers based on the information they read on the back.

References

• The Teacher Corner: Book Reviews