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Engaging Activities to Improve Reading Comprehension: Tips & Fun from Positive Tutors

Reading comprehension is one of those skills that can take you from being a casual reader to a full-on bookworm superhero. You know the kindā€”swooping into conversations with plot twists and perfectly timed literary quotes. But how do you get from Point A (basic reading) to Point B (pro-level comprehension)? The secret sauce isnā€™t just reading more; itā€™s reading smarter and having fun along the way.


Hereā€™s the kickerā€”Positive Tutors' Reading Program is designed to make improving your childā€™s reading comprehension a breeze. (Okay, maybe not a breezeā€”but definitely more like a gentle wind rather than a hurricane!) In fact, we use several interactive activities and strategies that make learning more engaging than your average book report.


1. Act It Out!

Nothing brings a book to life like acting out scenes. This can be done at home or in our virtual classes. Imagine your child playing the role of Harry Potter, while you (grudgingly) get to be the Basilisk. Or maybe theyā€™re Katniss, and youā€™re stuck as, wellā€¦ a less glorious District 12 extra. Either way, turning stories into mini theater productions helps kids better understand the plot, characters, and even symbolismā€”all while having a blast.


A young girl smiling widely.

Pro tip from Positive Tutors:Our tutors occasionally bring stories to life through role-playing activities during our sessions. Students donā€™t just read about charactersā€”they become them! Who needs Hollywood when your living room (or Zoom session) is the stage?

2. Create a Storyboard

Reading isn't just about the wordsā€”it's about understanding the flow of a story. A fun way to grasp this is by creating a storyboard, which is exactly what it sounds like: drawing out scenes from a book in a sequence. Yes, this includes stick figures (no oneā€™s judging here).


This activity encourages kids to visualize what theyā€™re reading, making it easier for them to connect events and characters. And who doesnā€™t love a little doodling? Itā€™s like reading, but with pizazz!


A storyboard
At Positive Tutors: Our reading program often incorporates visual aids like storyboards, especially for visual learners. Itā€™s one of the many ways we adapt our lessons to suit each studentā€™s learning style.

3. The "What Happens Next?" Game

Ah, the age-old art of predictions. Pause mid-story and ask, ā€œWhat do you think will happen next?ā€ This isn't just a way to build suspense; it's a method that helps readers think critically about the text. It keeps their gears turning and, letā€™s be honest, itā€™s hilarious to hear their wild ideas.


A young girl thinking.

Plot twist alert: Positive Tutorsā€™ reading program loves keeping students on their toes. We often pause during stories to get their predictions. It not only boosts comprehension but also makes reading sessions feel like suspense-filled adventures!

4. Book Club Battles

Who says book clubs are only for adults sipping tea and talking about *The Great Gatsby*? Host a kid-friendly version with fun debates! Pick a book and have kids (or students) ā€œbattleā€ it out over their favorite characters or plot points. Team Werewolves vs. Team Vampires? Yes, please.


Debates spark analytical thinking, encourage kids to form strong opinions, andā€”if done rightā€”lead to a deeper understanding of the material. And letā€™s be honest, who doesnā€™t love a good argument about whether Hermione was secretly the real hero of Harry Potter?


Positive Tutors Pro Move: Our reading program often includes friendly competitions. We challenge students to back up their opinions with solid evidence from the text, turning reading comprehension into a fun challenge.

5. Word Scavenger Hunts

Turn reading into a treasure hunt by giving your child specific words or themes to look for in a text. Maybe they need to find five adjectives or locate every time a character expresses emotion. Itā€™s like a reading game of ā€œI Spy,ā€ only less creepy and way more educational.



Positive Tutors loves incorporating word games into our lessons. Not only do they sharpen comprehension skills, but they also help build vocabulary in an interactive way. Who knew hunting for words could be so exciting?

6. Story Mashups

This oneā€™s pure creativity: have kids take two stories and mash them up. What if Goldilocks wandered into The Three Little Pigs' house instead of the bearsā€™? What if Cinderella went to Hogwarts instead of the ball? These creative mashups force students to blend plots, characters, and settingsā€”testing their comprehension and imagination.


In our classes at Positive Tutors, students have the opportunity to create their own twisted stories (with a little guidance from our expert tutors). Itā€™s a great way to check their understanding while giving them creative freedom.





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So, Why Positive Tutors' Reading Program?

Weā€™ve covered some fun activities you can try at home, but why not take it a step further? Positive Tutorsā€™ Reading Program is not just about reading booksā€”itā€™s about unlocking the hidden powers of comprehension and having a blast while doing it! We tailor our program to each childā€™s needs, working on everything from vocabulary to reading speed, and of course, comprehension.


With engaging activities, interactive lessons, and expert tutors who make every session feel like an adventure, our Reading Program is perfect for kids who want to improve their skills in a fun, supportive environment. Because letā€™s face it, boring tutoring is not our thing.



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So, ready to turn your child into a reading superhero? (Capes optional.) Whether theyā€™re looking to level up their reading comprehension or just need a little nudge to fall in love with reading, Positive Tutors is here to help. Enroll today and see the difference a little fun can make!





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