In this blog post, we’ll explore a twist on introducing Free Reading through book “speed dating” with middle school students. Learn how to guide students through a process of book selection, assessment, and reflection, and help to cultivate essential reading habits while igniting a passion for literature. From building reading stamina to fostering autonomy in book selection, this method offers a dynamic way to nurture lifelong readers in the classroom.

Want to Start Storytelling with CI—But Have a Required Curriculum?
Good news: you can do both! This post offers five easy strategies for weaving compelling, vocabulary-rich stories into your existing units. From anchor charts and cliffhangers to re-reading games and animated slides, these ideas keep students engaged while reinforcing key grammar and vocab naturally—no major overhaul needed.

Write and Discuss is our favorite low-prep CI strategy—it’s quick, effective, and easy to implement in Spanish or French classes. Students help create 3–5 sentences using target language structures, then read and analyze them together. Want to boost engagement? Try our Write and Discuss Bingo twist to make it fun and keep kids engaged.

I always struggle with how to get my novice learners reading with texts they can comprehend. Here are my top three reading strategies that I use with my Novice Elementary and Middle School students.

Spanish sub plans, Scholastic magazine graphic organizer

I needed to get them re-reading the text - I just didn’t have time to keep creating new input! In a moment of inspiration, I created this re-reading race - I called it ¡Agarra el Número! It’s SO easy to play, low-prep, and has the bonus effect of reviewing numbers.

A magical activity to practice reading comprehension strategies in the target language