30+ READING ACTIVITIES

OPTION 1: Flickr/Pixlr Image Creation

Idea: This activity visualizes the reading. Students will find an image that connects to the quote/statement they find most interesting. Using the Creative Commons area of Flickr, they save the image and add text (or a quote) by using Pixlr.com. From there, they could upload the image to a LMS or Insert it into a document to be handed in.

OPTION 2: Facebook Status(es)

Idea: Students will create a Facebook status of the topic or person in the reading. Perhaps there will be comments to that status by other people in the reading. {http://www.myfakewall.com}

OPTION 3: Self-Exam & T/F

Idea: The instructor will create a small self-exam for the students to take pre-reading. This will prepare students for the reading as well as see where they stand before they read. True/False questions are best, but the self-exam could include short-answer.

OPTION 4: Top Ten

Idea: Students would rank something in the reading for class. Maybe the instructor wants them to rank their top ten quotes and explain why, etc.

OPTION 5: Tweet from Your Seat

Idea: Bring the crazy brevity of Twitter into the classroom by having students, in 140 characters or less, sum up what they read. This activity would be conducted after theyve read or, maybe, while they are reading (?).

OPTION 6: Text Type-Up

Idea: Some students learn through repetition, and some also dont like to mark up their textbooks. So, this activity asks students to type (or write) up a piece of the reading theyd like to respond to. After typing or writing up the piece, they can then circle things they dont get or really find interesting. Instructors should specify word count and amount of questions to circle, etc.

OPTION 7: Animoto Video Trailer

Idea: Just like how movies have previews, maybe discussions should too? This activity asks students to create a trailer or preview of the upcoming discussion by reading and then putting related images and text into Animoto.com. Their 30-second videos are free and easy to use. From there, they could upload the URL to a LMS to be viewed in class. {Animoto.com}

OPTION 8: Prezi/PPT
Idea: In order for the students to prep for the upcoming discussion of the reading, have them create parts of the possible discussion by putting together a piece such as a PowerPoint slide (or slides) or Prezi presentation. They could upload those Prezis/PPTs to a specific area in the LMS in order for the instructor to pop them up on the big screen in class.

OPTION 9: Visual Definition

Idea: Students naturally increase their vocabulary by reading, so this activity asks them to pick a specific amount of words to create visual definitions of. Each slide = new word made visual with images, stories, quotes from the reading, definitions, etc.

OPTION 10: Create a Quiz

Idea: In order to create a quality quiz, you need to know the material. Students will create the quiz, in this case, and create multiple-choice questions, T/F, and even short answer questions. The quizzes, then, could be exchanged with other students during class time.

OPTION 11: Speed Dating

Idea: This activity needs to be completed in a computer lab. Essentially, on each computer screen, a question would be displayed. Each student would type in their response. Each student would be asked to respond differently than the student before him/her. This activity would be timed as well using http://www.online-stopwatch.com/.

OPTION 12: The Crossword Puzzle

Idea: Students use an online crossword puzzle-making site to create a crossword related to the reading material. These can then be exchanged with classmates during class time. { http://puzzlemaker.com/}

OPTION 13: How To Guide

Idea: After students have read, ask them to become an expert on something in the reading material. From there, they would create a step-by-step guide on the topic. If they read something about Buddhism, perhaps they would have to write a guide on how to be a good follower of Buddhism, for example.

OPTION 14: (Fake) Interview

Idea: Students could either be required to interview someone about what theyve read or they could create a document which shows a fake interview with the author about the piece.

OPTION 15: Survey the Masses

Idea: After students read, they would conduct a survey of those around them (f2f or email or Facebook) about the topic(s) covered in the piece. They would report their findings at the next class time.

OPTION 16: Weird Poetry

Idea: After reading, have the students reconstruct parts of the text into chunks. Slices of the text, fragments, put into poetic bite size bits.

OPTION 17: Dear Author

Idea: Have the students write a letter to the author of the piece.

OPTION 18: Scavenger Hunt

Idea: If the instructor wants students to find certain ideas or topics in the piece, ask them to do so before they read. Have them keep a list of quotes, perhaps, that give details of the topic, etc.

OPTION 19: Jeopardy

Idea: While reading, have students create Jeopardy questions or maybe a whole game with points assigned (200 level questions versus 400 level questions). What would be the question that

OPTION 20: Do you know your ABCs?

Idea: Students will create a table in MS Word and place all 26 letters down the far left column. From there, they have to find things in the reading that pertain to each letter. For instance, while

players would bet $$$ on? These could be placed on the board in class & used for discussion?

reading about Buddhism, they would talk about the Afterlife in the corresponding A row.

OPTION 21: The 5x5

Idea: Whatever the students are reading, have them find 5 quotes (or whatever) and then 5 terms (for example) and create a story out of them.

OPTION 22: Mad Libs

Idea: Students will create a mad lib, or a few, (tell them to Google that term if theyve never used a Mad Lib before) based on the reading. Then, in class, the students could get into small groups and take/complete each others mad lib(s).

OPTION 23: Email/Discussion Board

Idea: If instructors really want to know what students are thinking (or what problems they are having) when it comes to the reading, they could be required to read and email the instructor before class time. This way, the instructor can print off the problems and questions and use them in class. Same goes for discussion boards.

OPTION 24: Vanna White

Idea: While students are reading, they will take out quotes/statements they like. In class, they will get into groups and present 1-2 statements on the board, using the Wheel of Fortune as their format. The group who wins the most could get a treat or bonus points. This takes up more class time than Diet Vanna.

OPTION 25: The Kevin Bacon-ator

Idea: Have students connect two unlike things (topics, authors, etc.) with the 6 (or is it 7) Steps to Kevin Bacon idea.

OPTION 26: Fake Book Citations

Idea: While students are reading, instructors could have them create fake book citations for books that would relate to the material in a serious or fun way.

OPTION 27: Factoid/Something Cool

Idea: Ask the students to search the text for someone or something. From there, they should find something cool or some factoid about that topic. Ex: If they are reading about World War II, they could look online for something interesting to them about the fashions of the time or what people drove (if they are into fashion/cars, for example).

OPTION 28: Artistic Summary/Pictionary

Idea: This activity would ask students to draw out what happened in the reading. It could lead into a game of Pictionary lead by the students in class as well?

OPTION 29: Multi-Genre

Idea: This activity asks students to find multiple genres that connect to the topic(s)/theme(s) in the reading. Ex: Finding a cartoon, a non-Wikipedia article, and a chart based on Buddhism/WWII/STDs, etc.

OPTION 30: The Comic Strip

Idea: Using www.makebeliefscomix.com (or paper & pen/MS Word?) have students create a comic strip based on a theme or some dialogue that occurs in the reading. This could add a bit of humor to any subject.

OPTION 31: Dear Abby Advice

Idea: Mimic a Dear Abby column that is related to the piece that was read for class.

OPTION 32: Translation Nation

Idea: Take a paragraph from the reading. Translate it into how a politician would say it. THEN translate it into how a stereotypical Californian ditzy girl would say it.

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