Reading is the bread and butter of language class. Students need lots of interaction with text to be able to soak that language in! Sometimes, though, our reading needs to get shaken up with some different options to be able to engage our students. Check out these 3 quick reading activities for Spanish class for some no to low prep reading games that incorporate movement and get your students re-reading material in a fun way!
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3 Reading Activities for Spanish Class
Links & Resources:
- Mi Lápiz
- Mi Lápiz – variations
- Dice containers
- Tabata Timeline
- Tabata Timeline editable template
- Running Dictation
- Running Dictation editable template
Mi Lápiz Summary
Students just need a pencil, a die, and a worksheet to play this game! I usually have them play it in partners, but I have tried it in groups of up to four.
Set up: 1 pencil per pair, 1 die per pair, 1 worksheet per student
Play: Start out with the pencil in between students. Students take turns rolling the die. When they roll a 6 they can grab the pencil and start. If the other student rolls a 6, they steal the pencil! Check out the blog post here for more tips & tricks.
Tabata Timeline Summary
Students need a reading, a sheet of paper, a pencil, and a pair of scissors
Set up: Students begin by drawing a table on their paper (9 or 12), or using the handout. They record events from the reading in the boxes of the table, then cut them apart. Make sure they put their names on the boxes!
Play: Students rotate from desk to desk, putting the events in order. When the timer beeps, they scramble the events and rotate! Check out the blog post for more info and fun variations!
Running Dictation Summary
Teacher needs 9-12 short sentences, pulled from a reading. Put the sentences on strips of paper and hang around the room. Students work in pairs or groups of 3 and have one handout per group.
Play: One student “runs” out to the hallway to read a sentence, then returns to their partner and repeats it out loud for them. Their partner records the sentence on the handout. Continue until halfway through, then switch roles. When all sentences are complete, students cut apart the handout and illustrate the sentences together. Save for more games later!
Learn more about Running Dictation here.