Reading

Word Family Ice Cream Cones

Fri, 10 May 2013 14:04:04 EST

Here's a fun idea from trainupachildlearnaswego.blogspot.com that focuses on word families. This activity was designed with foam pieces to be used in the bathtub, but could be used outside the bath as well. On the "cones", write various word families, such as "-an", "-all", "-at", etc. Then on some scoop shaped pieces, write various words that fit in with these word families. Put the scoops together (in the bathtub, table, or wherever you're doing this activity) and have the child sort them into the correct families/ cones as shown above.

8 Tips for Teaching Your Child To Read

Fri, 03 May 2013 18:08:53 EST

(Taken from: visualoop.tumblr.com)

Pretend Library Cards

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 09:09:04 EST

Encourage your child's love of reading by helping them play library with these printable pretend library cards. Visit: spoonful.com for the download.

Synonym/ Antonym Honeycomb

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 11:59:49 EST

This activity could be used to help reading and writing skills. The more exposure to varied words will hopefully result in more descriptive writing.

First, visit: deceptivelyeducational.blogspot.com for the printouts for the game. This game was designed to be printed on magnet paper (found at your local craft store), but could also be printed on cardstock and played on a table.

To play, put all the game pices word-side-down in a small flat tub. One is drawn and placed on a refrigerator (any large metal surface will work). Then each player picks up five hexagons as their "hand." (It doesn't matter if the opponent sees your magnets.) Then go back and forth trying to add the magnets in your hand to the refrigerator, matching up synonyms or antonyms on the words on the shapes. It doesn't take long before a honeycomb shape emerges!

If you don't have any magnets to play, draw a new one from the bucket. Still can't play? Then you forfeit your turn and the opponent gives it a shot.

Every time you are able to add a hexagon magnet to the refrigerator, you get another turn to play any magnet from your hand (no drawing on the second - or subsequent - plays during a turn, though).

Funfonix.com

Sat, 02 Mar 2013 10:10:35 EST

Funfonix.com is a great resource for phonics worksheets, workbooks, and online phonics games. Try it!

Creating a Great Reading Space

Thu, 21 Feb 2013 10:31:29 EST

Creating a great reading space for kids can make literacy and literature that much more appealing and fun too.

Here are some tips for creating a great reading space:

-Create a cozy environment with a chair, couch, pillows, blankets, stuffed animals, or anything else that adds to the comfort of the area.

-Make sure there is good lighting.

-Have a way to display a variety of great books- a bookshelf, a basket, big plastic bucket, etc.

-Provide some paper and writing utensils for if they're inspired by a book to do a little writing on their own.

-Have some bookmarks on hand. If they lose their place, they're less likely to pick up that book and continue on where they left off later.

Valentine's Reading List

Tue, 22 Jan 2013 10:56:28 EST

Here's a great list of picture books from apples4theteacher.com that could be used for Valentine's Day or to learn about love and friendship.

	A Sunday Stroll by Paul Borgese
	A Valentine for Ms. Vanilla by Fred Ehrlich
	Falling for Rapunzel by Leah Wilcox
	Hearts, Cupids, and Red Roses: The Story of the Valentine Symbols by Edna Barth
	How Raggedy Ann Got Her Candy Heart My First Raggedy Ann by Jan Palmer
	I Like You by Sandol Stoddard, Jacqueline Chwast (Illustrator)
	I Love You the Purplest by Barbara M. Joosse
	If You'll Be My Valentine by Cynthia Rylant
	Queen of Hearts by Mary Engelbreit
	Roses are Pink, Your Feet Really Stink by Diane deGroat (Illustrator)
	Saint Valentine by Robert Sabuda
	Somebody Loves You Mr. Hatch by Eileen Spinelli
	The Best Thing About Valentines by Eleanor Hudson
	The Day it Rained Hearts by Felicia Bond (Illustrator)
	The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn
	The Night Before Valentine's Day by Natasha Wing, Heidi Petach (Illustrator)
	The Story of Valentine's Day by Nancy Skarmeas, Stacy Pickett-Venturi (Illustrator), Stacy Venturi-Pickett (Illustrator)
	The Very Special Valentine by Maggie Kneen
	Today is Valentine's Day by P. K. Hallinan
	Valentine Hearts : Holiday Poetry by Lee Bennett Hopkins
	Valentine's Day Is by Gail Gibbons
	You and Me by Martine Kindermans (Illustrator)
	You Are My I Love You by Maryann Cusimano Love
	Valentine School Parties by Wilhelminia Ripple

Pottermore

Tue, 08 Jan 2013 16:56:54 EST

For all you Harry Potter fans out there, there is a great free website by J.K. Rowling that takes you on a journey that will take you deeper than ever before into the magical world of Harry Potter.

You can read exclusive new content from J.K. Rowling, get sorted into one of the four Hogwarts houses, explore Diagon Alley, mix potions, cast spells, compete for the coveted House Cup, and discover new ways to immerse yourself in the Harry Potter stories. Give it a try at: pottermore.com

Winter Reading List

Fri, 07 Dec 2012 10:41:21 EST

Here's a great list of picture books for this time of year. Cuddle up with a warm blanket and read to your child!

The Winter Warming by Jane Patience

The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats

Princess Evie's Ponies – Silver the Magic Snow Pony by Sarah KilBride

Little Princesses – The Snowflake Princess by Katie Chase

Postman Pat's Letters on Ice by John Cunliffe

Postman Pat Goes Sledging by John Cunliffe

The Snowchild by Debi Gliori

Christmas Kitten by Vivian French

Disney Christmas Storybook Collection

Father Christmas by Raymond Briggs

Christmas in Puddle Lane by Sheila McCullagh

The Gingerbread Man – A Touch and Feel Book

The Night Before Christmas

Disney A White Christmas

Postman Pat and the Christmas Baby by John Cunliffe

Dora the Explorer – A Present for Santa

Exeter Street by Diana Hendry

Well Loved Carols

The Smallest Christmas Tree by Masahiro Kasuya

A Single Star – An anthology of Christmas poetry

The Christmas Journey by Sally Fisher

Hanukkah Lights – A Lift the Flap Book

Sammy Spider's First Hanukkah

Lots of Latkes : A Hanukkah Story

Daddy Christmas and Hanukkah Mama

(List taken from: herewearetogether.com)

Silent "e" Activity

Mon, 12 Nov 2012 13:38:33 EST

Here's a fun way to reinforce that sneaky silent "e". First, go download this freebie from Mrs. Pollard. Then print out, tape up the word strips and then take that bossy "e" and have them change the words, practicing reading all the while.

Read it then cook it!

Mon, 22 Oct 2012 16:25:21 EST

Here's a fun way to make reading more fun and memorable. After you read the book, cook a little something up together that goes along with what you read. Here are some ideas from teachpreschool.org. For more details on each recipe, visit their site.

Blueberry muffins for Blueberries for Sal

Colored popcorn for The Popcorn Book

Colored icing and muffins for Mouse Paint

Colored mini-muffins for Elmer

Mini pizzas for Pete's a Pizza

Read it then cook it!

Mon, 22 Oct 2012 16:25:15 EST

Here's a fun way to make reading more fun and memorable. After you read the book, cook a little something up together that goes along with what you read. Here are some ideas from teachpreschool.org. For more details on each recipe, visit their site.

Blueberry muffins for Blueberries for Sal

Colored popcorn for The Popcorn Book

Colored icing and muffins for Mouse Paint

Colored mini-muffins for Elmer

Mini pizzas for Pete's a Pizza

Read.gov

Tue, 02 Oct 2012 11:03:57 EST

Read.gov is a government sponsored website that invites people of all ages to discover the fascinating people, places and events that await you whenever you read. Explore their plentiful resources, book lists, online classics, and games like Storybook Adventure, where you collect treasures from reading excerpts from books like The Wizard of Oz, The Mermaid, and Aladdin. Check it out!

Bookworm

Thu, 20 Sep 2012 10:55:23 EST

For children that are not as motivated to read, completing books can be made more fun with this idea from www.marthastewart.com.

For each book your child reads, she earns a segment of the bookworm; every fourth or fifth segment hides the promise of a prize, such as an ice-cream cone or stickers. Glue construction-paper segments onto paper or poster board (cut a worm pattern from plain paper first); for prize segments, cut segments from folded paper, glue down the back, then open and draw a picture of the prize inside. Tack down flap with a sticker.

Read To Me

Thu, 13 Sep 2012 09:37:51 EST

Created to develop literacy in children, readtomelv.com is a free program where you can watch on-line streaming videos of children's books read aloud by celebrities and storytellers. Check it out!

Decoding Strategies

Mon, 03 Sep 2012 12:42:49 EST

(Taken from: finallyinfirst.blogspot.com)

Children's Books & Activities

Thu, 23 Aug 2012 21:53:23 EST

Here's a great website filled with tons of favorite children's books and activities to go along with them- Eric Carle, Dr. Seuss, Laura Numeroff, and lots more!

Take a look here!

Reading with your child

Fri, 17 Aug 2012 09:04:12 EST

Taken from: (http://firstgradewow.blogspot.com)

Reading Genres

Fri, 10 Aug 2012 09:22:56 EST

(Taken from: mrsteacher.org)

Wed, 25 Jul 2012 21:48:54 EST

Need some good summer reading ideas?

Check out childrensbooksguide.com's list of 100 best childrens' chapter books!

Vowel Cards

Tue, 29 May 2012 10:39:05 EST

Homeschoolcreations.com is a great resource for free printable short and long vowel cards, as well as all kinds of other educational printables. Check it out!

Sight Word Videos

Thu, 17 May 2012 12:29:41 EST

Here's a little twist on studying sight words. Visit: havefunteaching.com to see several short videos that teach individual common sight words by showing the word, repeating the word, spelling the word, using the word in a sentence, and typing the word on a keyboard. Check it out!

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 16:38:20 EST

Here's a fantastic resource! Books 4 Boys is a great website filled with ideas for books that will interest boys- indexed by series, age & grade level, author, and theme. Check it out!

CHAPTER BOOKS FOR YOUNGER CHILDREN (Ages 3-8 for read-aloud)

Tue, 10 Apr 2012 10:04:32 EST

The mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary

Ramona Books by Beverly Cleary

Emily's Runaway Imagination Beverly Cleary

Ralf S. Mouse books by Beverly Cleary

Mercy Watson series by Kate Dicamillo

Tale of Despereaux by Kate Dicamillo

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate Dicamillo

Because of Wynn Dixie by Kate Dicamillo

Catwings books by Ursula K. LeGuin

Spiderwick Chronicles by Holly Black

Just So Stories by Rudyard Kipling

The Henry books by DB Johnson

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

The Little House books by Laura Ingalls Wilder

Halibut Jackson by David Lucas.

Paddington Bear by Michael Bond

The Adventures of Olga da Polga by Michael Bond

The Borrowers by Mary Norton

Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine

Freddy Anniversary Collection by Walter Brooks

Danny the Champion of the World by Roald Dahl

Matilda Roald Dahl

James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl

The Ordinary Princess By M.M. Kaye

Wizard of Oz books by L. Frank Baum

Junie B Jones Series by Barbara Park

Captain Underpants Series by Dav Pilkey

The Cricket in Times Square George Seldon

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Grandma's Attic by Arleta Richardson

The Noisy Village by Astrid Lindgren

Betsy-Tacy books by Maud Hart Lovelace

My Father's Dragon by Ruth Stiles Gannet

No Flying in the House by Betty Brock

The Magic Tree House series by Mary Pope Osborne

The Littles by John Peterson

Pippi Longstocking Astrid Lindgren

The Boxcar Children Gertrude Chandler Warner

Black Beauty by Anna Sewell

Swiss Family Robinson Johann D. Wyss

Around the World in 80 Days by Jules Verne

Little Women Louisa May Alcott

Winnie the Pooh A.A. Milne

Snugglepot and Cuddlepie by May Gibbs

Elves and Fairies Annie R. Rentoul and Ida Rentoul Outhwaite

Peter Pan J.M. barry

Alice in wonderland by Lewis Carroll

Enid Blyton Goodnight Stories

The Faraway Tree by Enid Blyton

Famous Five by Enid Blyton

Secret Seven by Enid Blyton

Anything by Thornton BURGESS

Clementine series by Sara Pennypacker

Far Flung Adventures series

Milly-Molly-Mandy by Joyce Lankester Brisley

The Alfie Books by Shirley Hughes

Jip and Janneke by Annie M.G. Schmidt

The End of the Beginning: Being the Adventures of a Small Snail(and an Even Smaller Ant) by Avi

From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg

The Chocolate Touch by Patrick Skene Catling

Grayson by Lynne Cox

Half Magic by Edward Eager

Indian in the Cupboard series by Lynn Reid Banks

The Trumpet of the Swan by E.B. White.

A Necklace of Raindrops by Joan Aiken

The Wheel on the School by Meindert DeJong

(List compiled by: sarahjanestudios.com)

Dr. Seuss Bookmarks

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 16:14:05 EST

Phonics Flip Chart

Sat, 18 Feb 2012 21:52:41 EST

Here's a fun phonics tool that you can make on your own. All you need is a wirebound index card book, scissors, tape (to reinforce the tops of the cards if they start to tear) and a marker. Divide your flip chart into three sections to practice sounding out three letter words. You'll then want to label each end card with a letter (a-z) and common blends like ch, sh, th, gr, and cl. Label the middle cards with just vowels. As your child practices flipping the cards and practices the sounds, they'll delight when they sound out a real word.

(Idea taken from: www.kidsactivitiesblog.com)

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 10:11:44 EST

Vowel Flip Over Wheel

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 17:23:51 EST

Here's a great way to reinforce simple short and long vowel words:

(Taken from www.education.com)

What You Need:

White card stock, cut into a large circle about 7 inches in diameter
1-inch wide strip of white card stock, about 5 inches long
Variety of writing tools: markers, pencils, colored pencils, crayons
Brass fastener
Blank index card

What to Do:

Poke the brass fastener through the center of the circle. Use the fastener to attach the strip to the back of the circle so that it hangs over the side of the circle by about an inch.
Fold the excess paper over the front of the circle so that you create a flap that you can easily turn around the perimeter of the circle.
Use a black marker to write a lower-case "e" on this flap.
Use the marker to write a word on the circle directly to the left of the letter e. The word should follow a simple consonant, short vowel, consonant pattern (CVC words). Some suggested words include kit, hat, cub, tub, bit, rip, cap, rat, tap, rod, cop.
Turn the flap slightly so the e is in a new space, and write another word from the list. Continue in this manner until you have about ten words written around the circle.
On an index card, use a pencil to write a description of a special treat or reward for your child, such as enjoying popcorn together, or making an ice cream sundae. Flip the card over so your child can't see what you wrote.
Now, unfold the flap with the letter e, so all your child can see is the CVC words on the circle. Have her read each word to you. Assist as needed, and remind her that these are short vowel words.
For each word have her draw a small illustration in the space to the right of the word. For "hat," she can draw a simple cowboy hat, and so on. Have her continue in this manner until all the words are illustrated.
Now tell her she's going to practice some long vowel words. To read them, she will simply "flip" the vowel sound, so the vowel sounds like its own name. Illustrate this, by flipping over the letter flap in front of the word "hat." Say "hat," then flip the e over so it is visible, and say "hate." Have your child repeat this, then turn open the flap, turn the wheel, and repeat for each word on the circle.
Assist as needed. Flipping vowels can be tricky! Encourage your child to keep trying, and tell her that if she flips the vowels all around the wheel, you have a special reward for her.
When she's finished, have her flip one last time. She flips the index card over to reveal her special reward!

Reading Strategies

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 09:48:10 EST

Sight Word Parking Lot

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 16:50:59 EST

Need a good way to spice up sight word practice? Try making a "parking lot" out of a large piece of paper. Each parking space has a sight word. Read a word to your child and then they have to find it to park their car.

Idea taken from: www.jugglingwithkids.com.

freerice.com

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 16:15:47 EST

Here's a fun way to practice vocabulary through little quizzes and do a good deed at the same time: www.freerice.com.

For every correct answer you give, they will donate 10 grains of rice through the World Food Programme to help end world hunger. Try it out!

Phonics Generalizations

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 08:22:30 EST

(Taken from: www.primaryjunction.blogspot.com)

Phonics Generalizations are phonics rules that are taught to emerging readers to help them learn letter combination sounds to increase reading and spelling ability. Theodore Clymer researched over 45 phonics generalizations and found that only 18 were proven to be true at least 75% of the time. This goes hand-in-hand with how difficult the English language can be because there are so many rules and what works in one situation, often doesn't in another. Below are the 18 Phonics Generalizations proven to work at least 75% of the time:

Phonics Generalizations

The r gives the preceding vowel a sound that is neither long nor short.
Words having double e usually have the long e sound.
In ay the y is silent and gives a its long sound.
When y is the final letter in a word, it usually has a vowel sound.
When c and h are next to each other, they make only one sound.
Ch is usually pronounced as it is in kitchen, catch, and chair, not like sh.
Chen c is followed by e or i, the sound of s is likely to be heard.
When the letter c is followed by o or a, the sound of k is likely to be heard.
When ght is seen in the word, gh is silent.
When two of the same consonants are side by side, only one is heard.
When a word ends in ck, it has the same last sound as in look.
In the most two-syllable words the first syllable is accented.
If a in, re, ex, de or be is the first syllable in a word, it is usually unaccented.
If most two-syllable words that end in consonant are followed by y, the first syllable is accented and the last is unaccented.
If the last syllable of a word ends in le, the consonant preceding the le usually begins the last syllable.
When the first vowel element in a word is followed by th, ch, or sh, these symbols are not broken when the word is divided into syllables and may go with either the first or the second syllable.
When there is one e in a word that ends with a consonant, the e usually has the short sound.
When the last syllable is the sound r, it is unaccented.

Notice that a number of commonly presented generalizations are not included in this list. The following two rules were not found by Clymer to be consistent enough to be taught in the primary grades:

When two vowels are located next to each other, the first one records the long sound and the second is silent
In words containing two vowels, one of which is the final e marker, the preceding vowel is long and the final e is usually silent.

(Source - 1988, The Center for Applied Research in Education. Simon & Shuster. West Nyack, NY 10995)

Reading Games

Mon, 07 Nov 2011 16:43:24 EST

Looking for some fun games to practice early reading skills? Check out: www.extraspecialteaching.blogspot.com for some clever printable games.

Halloween Fluency Game

Sat, 15 Oct 2011 11:36:50 EST

Here's a fun way to practice fluency by reading Halloween themed excerpts in this clever game. It's so fun, your kids won't even realize that they're learning! Follow this link for the free download.

Mon, 10 Oct 2011 09:37:44 EST

Reading Comprehension Spinner

Wed, 05 Oct 2011 09:35:10 EST

Here's a fun way to check for comprehension after a read aloud. For the free download, follow this link:

When 2 vowels go a walkin'...

Thu, 29 Sep 2011 10:15:39 EST

Is your child having a hard time with vowel digraphs? Teach them this little saying:

Thu, 22 Sep 2011 09:36:42 EST

Alicia Lochridge, from www.firstgradefactory.blogspot.com teaches about the crucial strategies in teaching reading comprehension. She states that when children start to place emphasis on identifying words, they can place more emphasis on what they read. You can use these comprehension strategies while reading at home with your child. You can associate each animal with a strategy and help them understand that good readers use comprehension strategies to make sure they understand what they're reading. Click on her link and download these strategies and bookmarks.

Rhyming Jars

Tue, 13 Sep 2011 11:20:56 EST

The ability to recognize rhyming words is an important part of learning to read. Make rhyming words fun by grabbing some popsicle sticks, masking tape, a marker, and baby food jars (or other small sized jars). Have your child sort them into the right container, as shown.

For more detailed instructions, visit: www.notimeforflashcards.com.

Candy Land Sight Word Edition

Wed, 31 Aug 2011 21:26:40 EST

Turn game time into learning time! Take an old Candy Land board game and add Dolch sight words to the colored game cards. You have to read the card to be able to move a space.

What are Dolch sight words you ask? Compiled by Edward William Dolch, PhD, in 1948, they are a list of the 220 most frequently used words in the English language. Sight words make up 50 to 70 percent of any general text. Therefore, teaching The Dolch Word List is a crucial part of education in kindergarten through 3rd grade. Many of these 220 Dolch words cannot be "sounded out" and must be learned by "sight," that is memorized.

For a list of Dolch sight words separated by grades, click here:

Starfall.com

Thu, 25 Aug 2011 10:05:28 EST

Starfall.com is a website loved by parents and teachers alike.

It makes learning to read fun. Check it out!

Paint Chip Phonics

Sat, 20 Aug 2011 22:34:55 EST

Here's a clever way to teach phonics- grab some paint chips, a marker, and add some consonants, blends, and digraphs.

For complete directions, follow the link to thesnailstrail.blogspot.com

Duplo word and sentence builders

Thu, 18 Aug 2011 17:01:02 EST

Grab some Duplo blocks, white labels, and a marker and go to town

creating these fun word and sentence builders. Let your kids get creative

and stack them up to make sentences and stories.

Word Family Eggs

Wed, 17 Aug 2011 22:49:46 EST

A great idea for early readers- take some old plastic Easter eggs, cut some labels into squares/ strips and

create word families. Have them twist the eggs and read the words. You could even surprise them with a treat inside!

Great books for Kids of all ages

Mon, 15 Aug 2011 23:32:25 EST

A good list of books for kids from who else, but Oprah: http://www.oprah.com/packages/kid-reading-list.html

Reading

Word Family Ice Cream Cones

8 Tips for Teaching Your Child To Read

Pretend Library Cards

Encourage your child's love of reading by helping them play library with these printable pretend library cards. Visit: spoonful.com for the download.

Synonym/ Antonym Honeycomb

This activity could be used to help reading and writing skills. The more exposure to varied words will hopefully result in more descriptive writing.

First, visit: deceptivelyeducational.blogspot.com for the printouts for the game. This game was designed to be printed on magnet paper (found at your local craft store), but could also be printed on cardstock and played on a table.

If you don't have any magnets to play, draw a new one from the bucket. Still can't play? Then you forfeit your turn and the opponent gives it a shot.

Every time you are able to add a hexagon magnet to the refrigerator, you get another turn to play any magnet from your hand (no drawing on the second - or subsequent - plays during a turn, though).

Funfonix.com

Funfonix.com is a great resource for phonics worksheets, workbooks, and online phonics games. Try it!

Creating a Great Reading Space

Valentine's Reading List

Here's a great list of picture books from apples4theteacher.com that could be used for Valentine's Day or to learn about love and friendship.

by Paul Borgese

by Fred Ehrlich

by Leah Wilcox

by Edna Barth

by Jan Palmer

by Sandol Stoddard, Jacqueline Chwast (Illustrator)

by Barbara M. Joosse

by Cynthia Rylant

by Mary Engelbreit

by Diane deGroat (Illustrator)

by Robert Sabuda

by Eileen Spinelli

by Eleanor Hudson

by Felicia Bond (Illustrator)

by Audrey Penn

by Natasha Wing, Heidi Petach (Illustrator)

by Nancy Skarmeas, Stacy Pickett-Venturi (Illustrator), Stacy Venturi-Pickett (Illustrator)

by Maggie Kneen

by P. K. Hallinan

by Lee Bennett Hopkins

by Gail Gibbons

by Martine Kindermans (Illustrator)

by Maryann Cusimano Love

by Wilhelminia Ripple

Pottermore

Winter Reading List

Here's a great list of picture books for this time of year. Cuddle up with a warm blanket and read to your child!

(List taken from: herewearetogether.com)

Silent "e" Activity

Here's a fun way to reinforce that sneaky silent "e". First, go download this freebie from Mrs. Pollard. Then print out, tape up the word strips and then take that bossy "e" and have them change the words, practicing reading all the while.

Read it then cook it!

Here's a fun way to make reading more fun and memorable. After you read the book, cook a little something up together that goes along with what you read. Here are some ideas from teachpreschool.org. For more details on each recipe, visit their site.

Blueberry muffins for Blueberries for Sal

Colored popcorn for The Popcorn Book

Colored icing and muffins for Mouse Paint

Colored mini-muffins for Elmer

Mini pizzas for Pete's a Pizza

Read it then cook it!

Here's a fun way to make reading more fun and memorable. After you read the book, cook a little something up together that goes along with what you read. Here are some ideas from teachpreschool.org. For more details on each recipe, visit their site.

Blueberry muffins for Blueberries for Sal

Colored popcorn for The Popcorn Book

Colored icing and muffins for Mouse Paint

Colored mini-muffins for Elmer

Mini pizzas for Pete's a Pizza

Read.gov

Bookworm

For children that are not as motivated to read, completing books can be made more fun with this idea from www.marthastewart.com.

Read To Me

Created to develop literacy in children, readtomelv.com is a free program where you can watch on-line streaming videos of children's books read aloud by celebrities and storytellers. Check it out!

Decoding Strategies