3 Reading Activities for Spanish Class

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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Creative Reading Activities for Spanish Class

We all know how important reading is in Spanish class, but sometimes it just needs a little spark. That is why I love using reading activities for Spanish class that go beyond the usual worksheets. These ideas are simple, fun, and help keep students engaged without making you do a ton of prep.

One activity that always works in my classroom is running dictation. It gets students up and moving, and they stay focused because they are having fun while practicing. Another go-to is a gallery walk. I post readings around the room and students walk from one to the next answering questions. It feels more like a scavenger hunt than a reading task, and that is the magic.

Sometimes I take a single reading and turn it into multiple activities. On Monday we might do a comprehension check, on Tuesday students work in pairs to summarize it, and by Wednesday they are retelling it with a twist. Using the same material in different ways helps reinforce vocabulary and structure without it feeling repetitive.

If you are looking to make your lessons more dynamic, these types of reading activities for Spanish class can make a big difference. Try one or two and watch how your students respond when the routine shifts in a way that still supports their learning.

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.

Reading Activities for Spanish Class – Save this post for later!