How to Get Reluctant Readers Excited About Reading!

Image shows picture of young girl wearing glasses and reading a book. Next to her is a text overlay that says "Getting Students Excited About Reading with Dreamscape"

Finding a way to encourage our reluctant readers to become excited about reading isn’t always the easiest task. Unfortunately, when students feel frustrated with reading, they tend to avoid any activity related to it.

Luckily, Dreamscape is an online reading game that 2nd to 8th grade students actually love to use. The engaging video game navigates students through a series of challenges in order to build up a “dwell” and defend themselves from other characters.

As students answer comprehension questions, they are able to unlock several rewards, build dwells, battle other characters, and much more! Students are so immersed in the gamification platform that they seem to forget that they’re actually practicing reading skills along the way. The better students perform on the actual comprehension questions, the further they will advance in the game. This encourages students to try their best since it affects their overall gaming results.

Why Teachers Love Dreamscape

It’s completely FREE for both students and teachers.

Students can access Dreamscape from home or school.

The curriculum is aligned to State Standards.

Reluctant readers LOVE the game.

The platform includes assignment tools, diagnostic testing, and several reporting features.

Students can play on a desktop or on the Dreamscape app.

The dashboard access is open to parents and administrators.

Why Students (IncluDing REluctant REaders!) Love Dreamscape:

Students can send friend requests or join a class to play with other classmates and friends.

Students can challenge and compete against their best friends!

They gain rewards as they complete challenges and/or question streaks.

Students can customize and upgrade their avatars as they advance in the game.

It’s competitive, interactive, and similar to video games they’ve been exposed to before.

Photo shows student sitting at a computer desk with Dreamscape showing on the screen.

Dreamscape Dashboard

The Dreamscape dashboard includes a number of performance reporting and assignment tools that are perfect for customizing lessons and tailoring to the needs of individual students.

Placement Test: Differentiation is KEY. Their new placement test feature allows teachers to see what level each student is reading on, their areas for growth, and strengths at the beginning of the school year. Teachers are able to use this feature to assign specific skills on the platform or reinforce standards.

Skill Comprehension: See how students are progressing in each skill and design lessons to focus on specific ones. This feature allows you to customize the lessons by choosing the genre and how many questions you want to assign per skill.

Real-Time Dashboard: Monitor your students’ data in real-time as they play the game. This is perfect for in-class use during a technology hour and/or center. Teachers can ensure that students are on-task, pull students for conferencing, and track students that need the most help.

Photo shows a laptop with the Dreamscape teacher dashboard on the screen.

Using Dreamscape During Distance and In-Person Learning

There are many uncertainties about this upcoming school year. Some districts have opted for distance learning (virtual learning), while others are continuing instruction in person. Regardless of your current teaching situation, Dreamscape is a great tool to keep students excited about reading and to encourage reluctant readers!

How to Use Dreamscape Virtually

Assign as homework during distance learning

Dreamscape “Break“– 15-20 minute virtual learning break where students can compete against their classmates. Teachers can monitor progress using the real-time dashboard feature.

Create a Dreamscape Club at your school- students can meet virtually once a week to discuss the game, strategies, progress, and more!

I hope you find Dreamscape to be as useful as I have! I’m beyond excited about exposing my students to the game (especially my reluctant readers) and seeing them engaged in reading instruction. Would you like more ways to encourage students to read outside of school? Be sure to check out my blog post that’s full of summer reading ideas!

Check out the Dreamscape website and create your FREE account!

Post sponsored by Dreamscape