Are your students bored with reading comprehension? You can make this activity more engaging if you "hide" the questions in the classroom. This way students have to move around to find them. I always tell the students to read the text first and then to go seeking.

Sitting at the desk for 45 minutes can be really tedious for students. My teacher in secondary school had this saying: "Move your 'bottom' and your mind will follow". Last Thrusday I decided to try running dictation with my 5th-graders. Most of them were very enthusiastic about this exercise. 

I have to admit that I was enthusiastic, too. Running dictation combines: reading, speaking, listening and writing. It also develops vocabulary and grammar skills.

How did I do it?

1. I divided my students into two groups. I asked them to stand in two lines.
2. The first person in each group was the runner and the second person was the writer.
3.  I put two copies of a short text on the wall opposite two desks.
4. The runners in each group had to run to the wall, read the first sentence of the text, run back to the writers and quietly dictate what they remembered. Then they went to the end of the line.
5. When the writer wrote down the sentence, they became the runner and the next person in the line became the writer. 
6. When both teams were ready with the text, I swap their worksheets. They had to check them for mistakes.

We had so much fun with this activity. Next time we will try to do it in smaller groups or we will do it in the hall, so they will have to run.

Some people may say that reading is a waste of time, you should just live your life and experience things. But I read a lot and I'm quite happy with that. There's always a book on my bedside table. I'm just looking for a bookcase to store a huge amount of books I have.

I'm not that kind of reader who can read a few books at the same time. What I need is a good story (rather fictional) I can read from cover to cover without interrupting. For a few years I've been choosing series, such as Song of Ice and Fire by George R. R. Martin. And since I met my husband I have read a lot of fantasy. I've never expected I would be fond of such kind of books, but to my surprise I am. 

What makes books so powerful that we feel scared or excited reading them? I believe it's the story itself. People love stories. Some of us like reading stories, while others prefer listening to them. And of course, there are many gifted people who can tell really good stories.

It's amazing that we can even share our feelings while reading stories, e.g. when we are reading them aloud to children.
Today I'll present you my favourite sites to listen to and to create stories.

READ / LISTEN TO STORIES

Oxford Owl - Library

You have to Sign in to read eBooks, but it's free.

Storyline Online

 
I bet you'll love this site! Would you like to hear a story read by Betty White or Elijah Wood? If yes, it's the perfect place for you!

CREATE STORIES
If you would like to write your own stories or inspire your students to write theirs, there's no better site than Storybird.com.

You can create free classroom acount (up to 35 students). You can give assignments, keep your class activity private or share it. Making storybirds is easy, and students will be inspired to write by beautiful art.