What is a strategy to encourage student engagement when reading?

Encouraging student engagement during reading can significantly enhance comprehension and enjoyment. Asking open-ended questions about the reading material is a highly effective strategy for promoting engagement because it encourages students to think critically and reflect on their understanding. This approach allows students to express their thoughts, make connections to their own experiences, and explore different interpretations of the text.

By facilitating discussions around the text through open-ended questions, teachers can create a dynamic learning environment that values student input and fosters collaboration. This strategy also helps students develop higher-order thinking skills as they analyze the material and articulate their responses, leading to a deeper understanding of the content.

In contrast, having students read quietly without interaction tends to limit engagement, as it does not promote dialogue or deeper thinking about the material. Limiting reading material to textbooks can restrict students' interests and exposure to diverse texts, while enforcing a strict reading schedule may increase anxiety and reduce the enthusiasm for reading. Thus, using open-ended questions stands out as an effective means of boosting student involvement in reading activities.