4. Use an online library. Students who don’t enjoy reading might change their mind if given the option to read online. Get Epic! is an online library with thousands of highly engaging books that include graphic novels and read-to-me stories. Subscriptions are free for use in the classroom.
5. Try a gamifying site. Book Adventure is a free site that contains interactive tools, games, and motivational rewards for reading. Students find a book title, read it independently, then take quizzes to win prizes for their reading. The site contains a host of resources for parents and teachers to help boost reading skills and track students’ progress.
6. Size matters. If chapter books are overwhelming for readers, try shifting the focus to smaller reading pieces. There are several free websites that offer student-friendly articles for use in the classroom. Dogonews provide current event articles broken down into areas of interest such as sports and entertainment, with embedded videos and the ability to comment. Newsela offers similar resources and content but also includes the ability to change Lexile levels within an article.
7. Locate transcripts and closed captioning. Trick students into reading while they are watching or listening to a video. Most video sites, like YouTube, offer a closed captioning option, which allows the viewer to read and listen at the same time. If you can, find sites that offer a transcript you can print out for students. Try playing the video with sound only first and have students read along with the transcript. Another popular site that offers daily printable transcripts with video is CNN Student News.
The bottom line is this: Despite your best efforts, you may not be able to make all your students love reading. However, if you stay sneaky, you’ll know that at least they can read.