2. Get creative and step outside of tradition. Have students create comics that tell a story, and then ask students to trade comics and give their peers feedback. Reluctant readers and writers may come out of their shells when given the opportunity to approach storytelling from a creative angle. Comics are a great way to inspire student engagement and to level the playing field so students can demonstrate their learning even if they aren’t confidence in their writing abilities.
3. Representation matters, and it’s a strong motivator. Connect students to stories and characters that look like and share similar experiences as them–as well as other races, cultures, and experiences–through books, virtual visits, sites, and online experiences.
4. Go digital if possible. Even as the pandemic has exposed some of the most challenging disparities in education, it has also encouraged new emphasis on self-directed learning and digital tools. Digital books have enabled educators to evaluate what speaks to students the most and measure success based on each student’s individual needs.
5. Find out what students enjoy learning about, what they like to do in their spare time, and what interests them most. Connect those likes to their opportunities to build literacy skills. A student who loves ancient civilizations or dinosaurs might be much more excited to read if reading materials focus on their interests.
For more resources, We Are Teachers has a wonderfully comprehensive list of 50 activities that help educators support early literacy in their students. Find it here!
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