Introduce the youngest children to reading with play activities. As you read aloud to them, try activities that will get them involved with the story and allow them to respond to the text. Pause from time to time and ask for predictions about what will take place next in the story. Designate a special word or phrase for them to listen for, then have them clap or shout when they hear it. Share books that offer repeated words or phrases and let them chime in on cue. Have your listeners retell stories and create new endings for familiar tales. All of these activities lay the foundation for later reading comprehension.
Capture the interest of young elementary students with letter and sound games. Orally say words one sound at a time (as when you "sound out" a word) and have players try to guess what word you are saying. Reverse the roles and challenge players to separate the sounds of the words you say. See who can think of the most words with a given phonic attribute, such as beginning with the letter T or having three syllables. Go on a scavenger hunt to find a word that begins with each letter of the alphabet. Hide sight words in plastic eggs around a play area and have an egg hunt for words. Put common words on two sets of flashcards and play versions of common children's card games such as Memory or Old Maid.
Intrigue more able readers by playing games with written directions. Set up a trail of riddles that gives clues about the next location on the trail. Create or play games that use direction cards to control moves, bonuses or penalties. Have children read stories that offer choices about what characters should do next that lead to different endings. Encourage students to put on plays by reading scripts and stage directions. All of these activities will build reading comprehension and hone vocabulary skills.