Reading is the foundation for learning and in today’s rapidly changing world, helping students become confident, capable readers is more important than ever. In response, a group of Apple Professional Learning Specialists (APLS) explored research-based reading strategies and considered how Apple technology could be harnessed to engage and strengthen reading proficiency. Our collaboration has resulted in the resource, '30 Evidence Informed Reading Activities'.
The multimodal design encourages critical thinking, offering visual scaffolds, audio options for accessibility and multiple entry points so all learners can participate meaningfully. Teachers can collate tasks for the whole class, tailor activities for small groups, or personalise them for individual needs. With seamless workflows through Classroom or Classwork, this resource is not only engaging for students but also time-effective for teachers.
Example lesson using Evidence Informed Reading Activities
Close reading is a focused, purposeful way of engaging with a text where students carefully examine words, structure and meaning to build deep understanding.
Text: For this lesson, select a short, age-appropriate non-fiction article or narrative excerpt. The text should be rich in vocabulary, include examples of homophones, and lend itself to expressive reading. Save time by using Apple Intelligence Writing Tools to generate a close reading text that will help fulfil the learning objectives for the week.
Learning Objectives
By the end of the Close Reading lessons, students will be able to:
- Identify, define and use common homophones correctly in context.
- Fluently read with appropriate expression, accuracy, rate, and smoothness (EARS).
- Use AI tools to deepen comprehension of the text.
Introduction
Read the text aloud with students following along. Share the Keynote Reading Activities Templates they will be using to explore homophones, fluency and comprehension.
Each day for a week, the lesson will follow the same structured routine to build familiarity and skill.
Activity 1: Same But Different
- Use mark-up tools to underline words that are homophones in the text. Select a homophone and follow the instructions for the ‘Same But Different’ activity.
Activity 2: Word of the Day
- Select a homophone (or homonym) each day to unpack using the ‘Word of the Day’ activity template.
Activity 3: Voice - Transcript - Ai (Part 1)
Each day focus on a different EARS feature and follow steps 1-2 on the ‘Voice - Transcript - Ai’ activity template to fluently read with:
- Expression (E): Model how to read with feeling, using your voice to convey emotion and/or character.
- Accuracy (A): Focus on reading the words correctly. As students play back the voice memo, count and note the number of mistakes.
- Rate (R): Practice reading at an appropriate speed, not too fast or too slow. Use the device timer to challenge students to maintain a steady pace.
- Smoothness (S): Practice reading while paying attention to punctuation and avoid a choppy, word-by-word reading. Different punctuation in the transcript gives a good indication of how the smoothness could be improved.
Activity 4: Voice - Transcript - Ai (Part 2)
- Each day copy the voice memo transcript into the activity template (step 3) and mark-up any corrections. Copy and paste the text again, highlight the text and select Ai Writing Tools to present the text in different ways. For example, summarise, rewrite and make key points. Discuss how these different versions can assist with comprehension.
Keen to get started with one of the activities?
We’ve provided the three activity templates in this Forum post. If you'd like to explore all our activities, follow us on Linked In and be the first to find out more.
We'd love to hear your thoughts on our resources or how you use Apple technology to enhance reading instruction in your classroom. Please add to the comments.
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