Challenge #1: Mission Impossible: The Ultimate Directions Challenge!

Challenge #2: Top Secret Mission: Agent Training for Young Recruits

Challenge #3: Astronaut Training: Focus Challenge!

Challenge #4: Storyteller Mission: The Ultimate Creativity Challenge!

Challenge #5: Detective Training! (Focus Challenge)

Challenge #6: Pirate Training Mission: Captain’s Order!

Challenge #7: Confidence Cadet:

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Here is some advice from C.S. Lewis that should inspire students to see writing in a new light.

Worksheet:

Build Your Identity as Reader and Writer:

Donate Here:

Google Doc Version Here:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Nx8FH6hIJglbecaljF_uKO0vSc9DziT21eivDTkUmtk/edit?usp=sharing

Reading #1:

On Writing Well by William Zinsser (Chapter 2: Simplicity)

Read the chapter and/or watch the video. Then answer the comprehension questions.

Link Here:

Video Reading Here:

Comprehension Questions:

Reading #2 

On Writing Well by William Zinsser (Chapter 3: Clutter)

Read the chapter and/or watch the video. Then answer the comprehension questions.

Link Here:

Video Reading Here:

Comprehension Questions:

Writing Activities

Worksheet:

AVOID Clichés Like the Plague!

Worksheet:

Declutter Your Writing

Worksheet:

Simplify The Statements:

For these students, I’ve found that writing 20-word summaries on topics connected to their prior knowledge is most effective.

Here’s why:

Students summarize things in their everyday lives. If I ask how their day or year has been, they naturally give a brief summary. Likewise, when asked about a movie they’ve seen, they can usually provide a solid summary without hesitation.

But when it comes to traditional instructions like “summarize the main points of the text,” reluctant readers and writers tend to struggle. In my experience, these directions confuse them. 

That’s where 20-word summaries come in. The instructions are clear and manageable: “Just write 20 words.” 

And when you pair 20-word summaries with students’ prior knowledge – magic happens.

With enough practice students start to grasp summary writing. And I can leverage this knowledge for more advanced texts we read in class later in the year.

Here are the activities I use.

What is a Summary?

Worksheet:

Guess Which Movie or Book?

The purpose of this task is to get students reading 20-word summaries. Many of my students are familiar with certain movies and books. This activity is meant to build on this background knowledge while familiarizing students with what a 20-word summary looks like.

Worksheet:

Summarizing life experiences can be a great tool for teaching summary writing. Here is an activity I use.

Worksheet:

The purpose of this task is for students to write their own 20-word summaries in response to a short text. I like to pair students up, and give prizes for the best 20–word summaries.

Worksheet:

Sometimes, after we read a text or watch a video, I have students write a 20-word summary. Once again, I like to incentivize this activity by giving a prize to the best written 20-word summary.

Explanation:

With so many great sporting events taking place right now, here is an activity to get students summarizing games and matches.

I offer this as extra credit.

It is a great way to get students writing and bringing their passions to the classroom.

Oh, and for baseball—I have students analyze the first 5 innings, then the last four.

Worksheet:

Thank you so much for visiting Tolentino Teaching. My goal is to provide ready-made lessons that are creative, clear, and concise. If you like what you see, feel free to support me by making a donation below. Thank you!

They need to connect how literacy will help them achieve their dreams and aspirations.

Here are a few “seed planting” activities for students to build their identity as readers and writers.

Build Your Reading Mindset

Create Your Personalize Reading Plan:

Create a Plan to Build a Consistent Reading Habit!

Worksheet:

What Kind of Writer Are You?

Worksheet:

Sustained Silent Reading:

Worksheet:

Worksheet:

Here is the downloadable ebook:

Here is the Google Doc:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1RAwykXFERovxYT0TyKrTcMJvl_ZPCy3OVlkCYA63ek4/edit?usp=sharing

But I don’t buy it.

What they really hate is the frustration that comes from not understanding what they read.
They don’t hate reading—they just haven’t built the focus or confidence to enjoy it yet.

Here’s what I’ve noticed:
Most students today don’t read enough to build stamina.
They lose focus quickly because they haven’t had the chance to develop it.

And when they hit a word or sentence they don’t understand?
They panic. They cheat. Or they grab their phones and check out.

What they’re missing is the ability to push through the productive struggle—that sweet spot where growth actually happens.

That’s why I created these QUICK READ activities:
To help students build the FOCUS and CONFIDENCE they need to become readers.

And by “readers,” I don’t mean people who spend their weekends reading Mark Twain for fun (though props to them).
I mean students who are willing to engage with a text—who stick with it when it gets tough, and who trust themselves enough to figure it out.

Because when students develop focus and confidence, they become self-directed learners.
And that’s the ultimate goal.

They can chase their interests. Explore new ideas. Learn on their own terms.

So how do I reach those “reluctant readers”?
I meet them where they are:

• Short texts.
• High-interest topics.
• Straightforward questions that build comprehension.
• And whenever possible, a video to bring the reading to life.

Think of it like putting the ball on a tee.
We’re setting them up to succeed—to get that first hit, that first win.

And you know what? It works.

These activities have been game-changers for helping students develop the focus and confidence they need to read—and to keep reading.

What follows are the exact resources and strategies I use.
I hope they help you as much as they’ve helped me.

Article #1:

Worksheets:

Article #2

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Article 3:

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Article 4:

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Article #5:

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Article #6:

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Article #7:

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Article #8:

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Article #9:

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Article #10:

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Article #11:

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Article #12:

Worksheets:

Super Smash Brothers

Worksheet:

Worksheet:

The Rock

Worksheet:

Many of my students don’t like reading.

And many don’t like writing. 

My goal, however, is to plant seeds.

In five years from now, my students might be ready to focus and pursue a passion of theirs. And when that day comes, I hope the ideas I planted blossoms in their minds.

I hope the mini-sermons I preached resonate with them–and give them the courage to read, write, and take action on ideas.

The following activity is a “seed planting” task. The goal is for students to see the vital role writing plays in pursuing dreams.

Worksheet:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Nx8FH6hIJglbecaljF_uKO0vSc9DziT21eivDTkUmtk/edit?usp=sharing

Google Docs of Activities