Hidden Message: Back-to-School Reading Activity!

Back to School Ready?

Are you tired of the same old back-to-school activities that leave your students yawning? Do you want to kick off the school year with a reading activity that not only captures their attention but also challenges their critical thinking skills? Look no further! Uncover the Hidden Message: A Fun and Engaging Back-to-School Reading Activity is for you!

Mixing Science with Reading

All the articles included in each grade level specific secret message is on a science topic. This is a great way to gauge where students interest lay as they read different subjects.

Each article on readworks.org has a printable option as well as digital audio version available to help differentiate. There are additional questions provided on the site if you would like to extend the activity time or to another day. Students can reuse the articles and answer the multiple-choice/open ended questions.

Readworks.org is a free site for educators to sign up with. You will need to create an account to access the articles for these activities.

The Elements of the Mystery Reading Activity

Each grade level message can be decoded using the clues that are written at the level of students. Grades 2 through 4 have an optional decoding sheet that can be used to help students problem solve the correct order in which the letters go. Grades 5 and 6 do not currently have the decoding sheet as feedback from teachers has said that working in groups students are able to think critically and rework the letters until they make sense.

Included in each grade level’s hidden message back to school reading product are:

Question on task cards
Instructions
Article Page with links to Readworks.org
2 sizes of answer key (task card and full size)
Black and White as well as a color version
Link to the Google slides version
Decoding Sheet (2nd-4th) see below

Multiple ways to engage and use the hidden message back-to-school reading activity

There are several ways you can engage students in this back-to-school reading activity. The first way is to have a class discussion about science topics they learned last year. This can build interest in the activity before it even begins as well as give you some feedback on what topics student remember or are interested in science wise. Students can also make predictions on what science topics they think are covered.

Differentiation

The teacher can project, hand out, or assign the articles to students and do a overview of the articles before introducing the hidden message component of the activity. Once students are intrigued about the hidden message, the teacher can hand out the questions to groups, pairs, or individuals. Students can predict what article the questions go with.

This is especially helpful for struggling readers or English Language Learners to give them confidence about where they can go to find the answers since there are many different articles to choose from. Another way is to strategically hand the article(s) with the corresponding task cards to individuals or groups of students. It keeps the level of frustration down for students that need that differentiation and helps them engage with the class activity.

Technology

Another way to engage students is by incorporating technology into this hidden message back-to-school reading activity. Every part listed above is available in digital form. The digital versions is in google slide format. The questions are already jumbled up. You can click on the articles links on the Google Slide. Students can work in groups or individually to read the articles and answer the questions. Students can then fill in the editable boxes with the letters to decode the message.

By incorporating technology, visual elements, group activities, and choices, you create a back-to-school reading activity that caters to different learning styles and preferences. This engages and excites students to participate in the activity.

Easy Prep for Multiple Classes

For teachers who have multiple classes to prepare for, the thought of adapting a reading activity for each class may seem daunting. However, with a few simple strategies, you can easily prep this back-to-school reading activity for multiple classes.

1. Print the task cards with questions as well as the decoding sheet on regular paper or card stock. Multiple copies can be made if desired so each class starts with a fresh set of mixed up questions.

2.Llaminatating the the task cards and students can use black expo to answer question. Other colors can be used, but some don’t wipe off as easily or cleanly as black I have found. Students clean off the laminated cards before the next class.

3. Digital article links are easy to preload or assign to students.

4. The decodable sheet can be prepared in a similar manner as the task cards, depending on the teacher preference.

Wrapping Up the Activity

By unleashing their inner detectives and challenging them to unravel a hidden message, you’ll be fostering their communication skills and high-order thinking abilities. Students answer all the questions then they have the challenge of deciding in what order the letters need to follow.

The first and last card are given for each grade level activity. Then students need to decide for example which e goes first then follow the letters after it. If it makes sense they can continue if it doesn’t start to form a word then they can swap with a different e and redo the pattern to check themselves. Students can work individually or in small groups to figure out the mystery words to decode the correct phrase. Teacher assistance can be given at any time for the activity.

So, get ready to uncover the hidden message and create an unforgettable learning experience in your classroom. Remember, as Albert Einstein once said, “Imagination is more important than knowledge.” So, let your students’ imaginations run wild and watch as they unlock the secrets of reading!

You can save a reminder to your Pinterest board of this fun and engaging back-to-school reading activity.

Another way to engage learners is how to use card games to engage students with math. You can learn more by clicking HERE.