Engage Students
Recommended Practice: Establish a motivating environment to engage students in reading and text discussion.
- Overview & Tools: Video overviews and professional development materials
- Learn What Works: Expert interviews about engaging students
- See How It Works: Videos and sample materials from schools
Establishing Motivating Contexts for Reading and Encouraging Text Discussions
Reading Comprehension > Engage Students > Overview & Tools
This multimedia overview introduces the importance of providing a motivating, engaging environment for reading and facilitating high-quality text discussions. It describes the features of engaging...
Resource Type
Overview
Developing Student Motivation to Read
Reading Comprehension > Engage Students > Learn What Works
In this interview, Dr. John Guthrie describes several research-based strategies for engaging and motivating readers and provides examples for practitioners.
Resource Type
Expert Interview
Text Discussion One Step at a Time
Reading Comprehension > Engage Students > Learn What Works
In this interview, Dr. P. David Pearson, who served on the IES panel that created the Practice Guide, Improving Reading Comprehension in Kindergarten Through 3rd Grade, describes the value and...
Resource Type
Expert Interview
Pumpkin Pie for Halloween: Text Discussion With English Learners
Reading Comprehension > Engage Students > See How It Works
Watch how a kindergarten teacher uses a variety of strategies to help English learners move from listening to discussing stories. She describes how text discussion develops across the early grade...
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School Example
Using Peer Collaboration and Self-Reflection to Engage With Text
Reading Comprehension > Engage Students > See How It Works
A third/fourth-grade teacher describes how she uses discussion cards to engage students during guided reading groups. Students reflect on their reading, make notes, and work in small groups and...
Resource Type
School Example
Engaging Nonfiction Readers
Reading Comprehension > Engage Students > See How It Works
View this video about a reading program that engages students in science inquiry projects. Students are motivated to read in order to develop their questions, seek answers, and learn new information.
Resource Type
School Example
Principal Walk-Throughs
Reading Comprehension > Engage Students > See How It Works
Hear a principal describe how he motivates staff and keeps students focused on reading using a variety of strategies, including three different types of walk-throughs. He discusses the...
Resource Type
School Example
Buddy Talk
Reading Comprehension > Engage Students > See How It Works
Watch how a third-grade teacher uses partner sharing to help her students discuss questions about what they are reading. She supports her students’ talk by laying the groundwork for effective...
Resource Type
School Example
Literature Circles in Second Grade
Reading Comprehension > Engage Students > See How It Works
Listen to a second-grade teacher describe how she uses literature circles in her classroom. By providing clear roles and procedures she develops an effective setting for group discussions. For more...
Resource Type
School Example
Read-Alouds Across the Curriculum
Reading Comprehension > Engage Students > See How It Works
Christine Carriere, who served on the IES Panel that developed the Improving Reading Comprehension in Kindergarten Through 3rd Grade Practice Guide, describes how she uses read-alouds for her...
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School Example
Preparing Kindergarteners for Text Talk
Reading Comprehension > Engage Students > See How It Works
Hear how a kindergarten teacher helps students develop partner-sharing skills. The teacher talks about the benefits of beginning text discussion at an early age and describes how she establishes...
Resource Type
School Example
Partner Sharing: Good Readers Ask Questions
Reading Comprehension > Engage Students > See How It Works
Watch a second-grade classroom demonstration of a teacher engaging students in text discussion using multiple techniques focused on questioning. Throughout the lesson, the teacher builds on...
Resource Type
School Example
