25480 reading comprehension idea

How to make
READING COMPREHENSION
texts more fun !

Next time you have to work on a reading comprehension text (and let's face it they are
often at the beginning of each new unit in your book) try this method:
Give each student a blank A4 sheet of paper. This exercise is best done with the
students sitting in a circle, but could be adapted as and when necessary. Put the title of
the text on the board and get them to put it on the top of their sheet of paper. Tell
them to imagine what the text is about and draw a line down the left hand side of the
paper - just large enough for vocabulary.
Ask each student to write 12 words that they think will be in the text according to the
title. When they have found their words tell them to pass their sheet on to the next
person and they will collect the one from the other side. They now have to select 3
words from the list and in the right-hand column, write the first paragraph using these
3 words and adding (of course) anything in order to make the paragraph interesting. Tell
them to cross out the words as they use them. They must not forget the title of the
text, but will have to adapt each time because of the new words to use.
When they have finished their paragraph they pass on the sheets and do the same as
before, take 3 words to make the second paragraph – pass on, take 3 words – write the
last paragraph which could be the conclusion to the text. They pass on their sheets for
the last time and they read what they have in front of them – a text written by 4
people!!
Either you, the teacher, could correct the texts and leave them in the classroom for
them to see later or get some of them to read “their” text out loud. I prefer the
latter, even with their mistakes, they love it. They are now ready and willing to read
the text to find out if it has anything to do with theirs!

This has worked for years for me (in all levels) and we always have a good
laugh because the texts have NOTHING to do with the one we are going to
read, but it takes the boredom out of reading comprehension.