Engaging Students During Wit & Wisdom Lessons

Looking for creative ways to keep your students engaged during Wit & Wisdom? Here are a few classroom-tested ideas and resources that bring literature to life and keep your learners actively involved!

1. Story Maps That Grow With the BookStory maps are an excellent tool for helping students visualize and recall key events, characters, and themes as they read. You can approach this in several fun ways:

• Whole-class recall: Build a story map together on the board after each chapter.

• Individual storybooks: Have students create their own mini book of story maps as they progress through the text.

• Collaborative mapping: In small groups, assign chapters for students to summarize and illustrate together.

These activities not only build comprehension but also allow students to see the story unfold visually—making reading more meaningful and memorable.

2. Creative, Hands-On ProjectsGo beyond traditional comprehension questions with engaging, project-based activities! For example, in Bud, Not Buddy, my students completed a Suitcase Project, where they stepped into Bud’s shoes and filled a paper suitcase with five items they believed he’d need to survive. Each student then wrote a short reflection explaining their choices. This activity encouraged creativity, empathy, and critical thinking—all while reinforcing key details from the story.

You can find this Bud, Not Buddy Suitcase Project and other literature-based activities on my Teachers Pay Teachersstore!

3. Digital Escape RoomsWrap up a unit or novel study with a digital escape room! These interactive activities challenge students to recall information, solve puzzles, and think critically—all while having fun. They’re perfect for review days or as a culminating activity after finishing a book. My Holes Escape Room and other literature-based digital challenges are available to make end-of-unit reviews both exciting and educational.

By incorporating these resources into your Wit & Wisdom lessons, you’ll transform reading from routine to remarkable—keeping students engaged, thinking deeply, and having fun along the way.

✨ Find all of these resources and more on my Teachers Pay Teachers website! Whether you’re looking for hands-on projects, digital escape rooms, or classroom visuals, you’ll find everything you need to bring your lessons to life.

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/ms-walkley