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Must-Read 4th-Grade Book Series! - Happily Ever Elephants

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If you want to turn your child into a reader, these 4th-grade book series are must-reads! Check out the series that have hooked my students!

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Starting a Parent/Caregiver - Child Book Club

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Starting a Parent/Caregiver - Child Book Club

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Summer Reading_ Parent-Child Book Clubs (2)

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Vocabulary is word knowledge - knowing what the words mean. Word learning is an ongoing process - we are always adding to our "word bank." The goal is to recognize and understand the meaning of spoken and written words.

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25 Activities for Young Readers and Writers

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25 Activities for Young Readers and Writers

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25 Activities for Reading and Writing Fun

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Doing activities with your children allows you to promote their reading and writing skills while having fun at the same time. These activities for pre-readers, beginning readers, and older readers includes what you need and what to do for each one.

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Half-Pint Readers Online Decodables (Free) 

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Half-Pint Readers Online Decodables (Free) 

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If you want hard copies of the books for your students and your school cannot afford to buy them, many teachers have written grants to obtain them, asked their PTO for help or used websites such as Donors Choose who buy materials for classrooms. It is unlawful to copy the books!

Please know that these digital books show up best on computers or iPad and tablets rather than phones.

In addition, you will see that I have listed the skills that children need to learn, BEFORE reading each set of books. Each book builds upon the skills from previous books so the books should be presented in sequence. An explicit, systematic, sequential and cumulative approach to teaching reading is the Science of Reading!

I have also included links to the FREE Teaching Guides, Activity Pages and Literacy Centers. You have permission to download and print these supplemental resources but you do not have permission to change the content and/or resell them.

Thank you and happy reading!

LuAnn Santillo, Author

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Online Materials Portal - Half Pint Kids Decodable Books

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If you want hard copies of the books for your students and your school cannot afford to buy them, many teachers have written grants to obtain them, asked their PTO for help or used websites such as Donors Choose who buy materials for classrooms. It is unlawful to copy the books!

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CLUE - Helping Students Understand Differences

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CLUE - Helping Students Understand Differences

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Adams, M. J. 1994. Beginning To Read: Thinking and Learning About Print. Cambridge, MA: Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Behm, M., and R. Behm. 1995. Let's Read! 101 Ideas To Help Your Child Learn To Read and Write. Bilingual Edition. Revised Edition. Bloomington, IN: ERIC Clearinghouse on Reading, English, and Communication. ED 370 081.

Lyon, G. R. 1997. Statement of G. Reid Lyon, Ph.D., Acting Chief, Child Development and Behavior Branch, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, before the Committee on Education and the Workforce, U.S. House of Representatives. Washington, DC, Thursday, July 10, 1997.

Macfarlane, E. C. 1994. "Children's Literacy Development: Suggestions for Parent Involvement." ERIC Digest. Bloomington, IN: ERIC Clearinghouse on Reading, English, and Communication. ED 365 979. [http://www.indiana.edu/~eric_rec/ieo/digests/d89.html]

National Research Council. Committee on the Prevention of Reading Difficulties in Young Children. 1998. Preventing Reading Difficulties in Young Children. Washington, DC: National Academy Press.

U.S. Department of Education. 1997. "Ready*Set*Read for Families: Early Childhood Language Activities for Children From Birth Through Age Five." America Reads Challenge. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Education.

U.S. Department of Education. 1997. "Simple Things You Can Do To Help All Children Read Well and Independently by the End of the Third Grade." America Reads Challenge: Read*Write*Now! Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Education.

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When reading is an enjoyable part of everyday life, children will develop positive attitudes about reading. These tips for parents demonstrate how to make reading a part of life for preschool and school-aged children.

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The Benefits of Reading Books in a Series

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The Benefits of Reading Books in a Series

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Getting students hooked on a series means that there is a built-in next book that they are already excited to read. When the series ends they will be looking for a similar one to fly through during independent reading time!

Discover eight reasons that encouraging students to read more series will help them in and out of the classroom.

1. Reading a series for enjoyment builds reading momentum.

Once readers get excited about the first book in a series, it's likely they will pick up the next book and the next. When students can look back at two, three or 10 books they really liked, they will associate reading with having fun and begin to identify as strong readers.

2. Series b uild comprehension and reading fluency.

It's easier for kids to read and understand a new book when they are familiar with the setting, characters and plot of the rest of the series. Following beloved characters and a consistent narrative structure allows students to predict patterns and understand plot structure. As their comprehension and fluency grows, so does their reading confidence!

3. Series build reading confidence.

A favorite book series can become an easy comfort read that kids can return to between more difficult books. By mastering their favorite series, they feel more confident to try new, more challenging titles. Soon, once-reluctant readers will consider reading one of their favorite hobbies.

4. Series help readers transition to independent reading or to chapter books.

Students may find the transition from guided reading to independent reading or from picture books to chapter books daunting. When readers get excited about a topic in their favorite series, they challenge themselves to read longer or more difficult books under the same theme.

5. Series help kids find their own interests and identity.

Falling in love with one series may prompt students to seek out similar books. Engaged readers begin to identify their likes and dislikes and will find various ways to learn more about their new, favorite topics. From books to audiobooks to podcasts to documentaries, engaged readers become well-rounded, enthusiastic learners.

6. Popular series help kids make friends with similar interests.

As they discover their identities, students share their favorite hobbies and books with one another, forming meaningful friendships based on shared interests. They may even swap books and encourage each other to be stronger readers!

7. Reading a series may introduce readers to a rewarding new hobby.

Engaged readers may try out new activities mentioned in the pages of their favorite titles and find a pastime at which they really excel. For example, if a student decides to try soccer after they read an engaging sports series, they now have two healthy hobbies, one mental and one physical.

8. The first series is just the beginning.

Reading new series becomes a chain of discoveries. Students find more and more exciting topics to learn about and develop a love of learning across many subjects. Reading for fun has many lifelong benefits both in and out of the classroom, and it can start with one engaging series.

Ready to share engaging series that can help students develop a love of reading? Check out these terrific titles.

If you need help selecting the best series for your students, start by filling out this short form.
Educators, what series have you seen kickstart students' love of reading? Let us know in the comments.

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8 Reasons to Encourage Students to Read Book Series

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Getting students hooked on a series means that there is a built-in next book that they are already excited to read. When the series ends they will be looking for a similar one to fly through during independent reading time! Discover eight reasons that encouraging students to read more series

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Sample Read Aloud with Open-Ended Questions

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Sample Read Aloud with Open-Ended Questions

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One Book One School - Strictly No Elephants (virtual read aloud)

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One Book One School - Strictly No Elephants (virtual read aloud)

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My husband and I have spent many family discussions teaching our children about kindness. We tell our kids that what goes around comes around. If you want to be treated with kindness, you need to treat others with kindness. We've been successful for the most part, but kids make mistakes (who doesn't?) and need a refresher now and then. Here are some books that celebrate kindness and help my family remember how and why we should be kind.

by Mary Murphy

Kindness is contagious. When Hen gives Pig an egg, she starts a domino effect of kindness that spreads throughout the barnyard. This adorable board book is straightforward and simple in its message of expressing kindness to others.
(Ages 2 - 5)

by Jodie Shepherd, illustrated by Tom Brannon

Elmo is working to earn his Monster Scout "K Is for Kindness" Badge! Follow along with Elmo as he does good deeds around the neighborhood and learns what it means to be a kind person.
(Ages 3 - 7)

by Rana DiOrio, illustrated by Stéphane Jorisch

Kindness often takes courage. We can choose to be kind to others in our actions each day. Using short, simple terms, this delightful picture book gives kids several specific suggestions of how to be kind.
(Ages 4 - 8)

Editor's note: This post was originally published in 2016 and updated in 2021.

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Children's Books That Champion Kindness | Brightly

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My husband and I have spent many family discussions teaching our children about kindness. We tell our kids that what goes around comes around. If you want to be treated with kindness, you need to treat others with kindness. We've been successful for the most part, but kids make mistakes (who doesn't?)

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Do you love finding new-to-you picture books to read aloud to your children? If you answered yes, then this list is a treat for you! Below you will find over 150 of the very best read aloud picture books as voted by teachers and parents!

This list was developed from the responses of over 500 parents and teachers in response to the question, "What is your all-time favorite picture book to read aloud to your children?"

As I compiled this HUGE list of awesome picture books from the responses I was excited to find lots of new-to-us kids story books - books that I haven't read before - as a teacher or a mum. Which is quite a novelty for a picture book addict like me!

Of course, many of our tried and true favourites made the list too! There are so many of the all-time best books for kids on this list.

The Very Best Read Aloud Picture Books for Kids

So what makes a great read aloud story? While there is no one magic formula, I think great picture books that engage children will include;

1. Captivating illustrations: It is no surprise that the pictures inform your child's first impression of a book, so choosing books with wonderful or unique illustrations that capture the imagination is a great place to start.

2. Engaging storyline: Nobody enjoys a boring book! Stories that have a beginning or introduction, action in the middle and a comforting ending are great. Be sure to also check that the amount of text per page corresponds with your child's attention span.

3. Themes that the child can relate to: Moving house? Awaiting the arrival of a new sibling? Learning to stand up for oneself? Whatever life experiences your child is learning to cope with right now, chances are that there is a great book (or ten!) exploring that same theme.

4. Books exploring universally important topics: Books exploring themes such as friendship, courage, individuality or creativity, help our children to learn about human emotions and relationships in relatable, non-threatening ways.

5. A surprise for the reader: Stories with unexpected endings or with interesting physical features such as textures or last page pop-ups reward the reader's interest and can work especially well with younger children.

6. Books that make them laugh: Humour in books provides a fabulous way to engage children of all ages.

7. Books that have fun with words: Books that play around with rhythm, rhyme or repetition, and that have fun with vocabulary can be particularly engaging young readers. On repeated readings, they will quickly learn to recite repeated phrases or to fill-in-the-blank where an obvious rhyme occurs.

And remember, just because a book doesn't capture the interest of your child right now, doesn't mean that they won't return to it in six months, a year, or even five years with a renew interest and motivation to read and enjoy it!

RELATED: See our big list of read aloud chapter books as voted by parents too!

Now on to the list...Each title includes linked to Amazon and The Book Depository (these are affiliate links) where you can find reviews and age recommendations for those you are not personally familiar with.

150+ Best Picture Books to Read Aloud
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My children both loved all of Jane Godwin's wonderful titles as preschoolers. In this one, Sadie has three older brothers to pass along hand-me-downs, so she doesn't have much say in choosing her clothes! But Sadie is allowed to pick her shoes, so one day she buys the most beautiful silver shoes ever. Sadly, when Sadie and her brothers are adventuring, one shoe falls into the creek and is swept away. Whatever will Sadie do with one silver shoe?
Available: Amazon | The Book Depository

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Now that you have a heap of great read aloud book suggestions, be sure to check out our read aloud tips and make read aloud time your favourite part of the day!

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150+ Best Read Aloud Picture Books for Kids: As Voted by Parents

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Over 150 of the best read aloud picture books as voted by over 500 parents! Perfect for reading aloud at home or school.

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Credit: Allison Shelley for American Education

As a teacher in San Jose Unified, Seena Hawley made a point of reading aloud to her fourth and fifth graders every day. Not only was it a highlight of their day, she also believes it boosted their reading comprehension and their sense of empathy.

"Storytelling can be very powerful in teaching," said Hawley, who spent a dozen years in the classroom and now runs the Berkeley Baby Book Project , an affiliate of Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, which gives children a book a month from babyhood to age 5. " The best children's literature, like all literature, engages children on deep human issues, at their level, while giving them steppingstones to the next levels."

Story time conjures up warm and fuzzy memories of milk and cookies for many parents, teachers and children alike. Whether it's a bedtime rendition of "The Lorax" or "Charlotte's Web" in the classroom, most people love hearing stories read aloud. However, reading aloud is not just about the charm of a rich oral tradition, a pleasurable pastime. It's also an effective academic tool that parents and teachers often overlook as children age out of the footie pajama stage, experts say. Once children know how to read on their own, there is a tendency to cut back on reading aloud to them.

"Reading aloud to students in K-3 is a super way to build knowledge and vocabulary and should be a regular staple in classrooms," said Sue Pimentel, a literacy expert perhaps best known as lead writer of the Common Core state standards . " Reading aloud to students models fluent reading. It builds knowledge and vocabulary. Students can hear and discuss new words. It also impro ves listening comprehension. Notably, the texts should be two to three grades above their complexity level. "

Amid the escalating national literacy crisis, with its grim statistics and deeply entrenched ideological battles , this one is an easy fix, experts say. Read aloud to your children and students. It's not only an enjoyable way to bond, it may be part of the secret formula to boost reading comprehension.

However, when parents and teachers get busy, they often scuttle story time entirely, perhaps unwittingly limiting the child's access to more complex words and ideas. Jess Hutchison, a mother of two, misses reading to her children, Sawyer, 8, and August, 14, but notes that it's harder and harder to make it happen as they age.

Related

Newsom proposes 'literacy road map' based on 'science of reading'; will districts follow or ignore it?

" I still love to read out loud to my kids, especially my younger one," said Hutchison, who recently moved from Piedmont to Connecticut . "I do find, however, that I have less and less time for it, and that my kids like it less and less every year. They'd rather watch YouTube videos or movies."

That's a pity, said Pimentel. In fact, if she had to do it all over again, she would codify the fact that students of all ages benefit from reading aloud. Even teenagers.

"If I were writing the Common Core standards again, I'd have fluency practice go all the way up to grade 12, not stop at grade three."

Part of the benefit of having a teacher or parent read a sophisticated piece of writing aloud is that it behooves both strong and weak readers alike. Even a child who is lagging behind in reading skills will benefit from exposure to advanced vocabulary and complicated concepts. This way they will not miss out on learning just because they aren't yet avid readers. They can still partake in the classroom discussion of the subject at hand. That's vital to building a strong base of knowledge.

Of course, that does not mean that children don't need to read on their own. They do, but the assumption that story time is only vital in the early years, experts say, is mistaken.

"I have no idea why teachers stop reading aloud to kids," said Pimentel. "It's a mistake - a big mistake, a lost opportunity. Students can learn so much more, and at higher levels, when teachers read to them what they can't read themselves."

Related

Can common ground be found on teaching reading in California?

On the other end of the pendulum, some teachers may read aloud to the class instead of teaching them how to read deeply, and that's also a mistake, experts say. You have to be strategic about which books you read and which books you help them read.

"I worry about read-alouds in schools taking the place of reading," said Timothy Shanahan, a literacy expert and professor emeritus at the University of Illinois at Chicago. "Teachers don't know how to deal with text that students can't read easily. Their point of view is that kids can't learn anything from a text that they can't already read reasonably well on their own."

That's simply not true, said Shanahan , who helped lead the influential National Reading Panel . With help, students can learn to tackle the denser type of texts they will inevitably encounter later in their academic life. Otherwise, they may fall even further behind, languishing on the easy reads shelf of the library while their peers zoom ahead to the classics.

Certainly, many of us comprehend rich and intricate text better when we hear it spoken aloud, at least initially. Think of a Shakespearean soliloquy or a Milton poem. As long as it's not a substitute for doing it themselves but rather a steppingstone on the path to mastery, reading aloud can be a smart academic strategy that also builds social-emotional connections between the adult and the child.

Related

Teaching young children how to read: What California parents need to know

"I read to my own kids, and now grandkids, to older ages," said Shanahan. But, "I want kids to be able to read Shakespeare themselves, and that means guiding kids to read it, not just reading it to them."

For Hawley, the bottom line is that children are exposed to the richness and wonder of high-quality l iterature. Stories can be a compelling way to broach lessons about life, loss and the dizzying range of the human experience, she says. In a world rife with hardship and distress, from school shootings to pandemic trauma, stories can be a path to better understanding ourselves.

"Stories reflect us and our lives while at the same time showing us other lives and other ways to contend with the deep emotional, psychological, ethical, social and historical issues in all our lives," said Hawley. "Stories allow us to grapple with those issues from a slight distance even as we can connect our own lives to them. "
To get more reports like this one, click here to sign up for EdSource's no-cost daily email on latest developments in education.

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The magic of story time: Why is reading aloud to kids so important?

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Credit: Allison Shelley for American Education As a teacher in San Jose Unified, Seena Hawley made a point of reading aloud to her fourth and fifth graders every day. Not only was it a highlight of their day, she also believes it boosted their reading comprehension and their sense of empathy.

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The Best NY Times Recommended Children's Books

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The Best NY Times Recommended Children's Books

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We're approaching the end of the year, which means it's time for many publications to compile their best-of-the-year lists. We love combing through these lists (and nodding in approval at having read a few of the books already, while also happily adding a title or two to our TBR list). The New York Times Book Review just released their list of the Best Children's Books of 2023 and we were thrilled to see a few of our favorites recognized.

Here are some of the books we loved seeing on this year's - and past years' - lists of The New York Times' Best Children's Books.

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We Love These New York Times' Best Children's Books of 2023 | Brightly

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Here are some of the books we loved seeing on this year's - and past years' - lists of The New York Times' Best Children's Books.

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The Best Middle Grade & Chapter Books of 2022 | Brightly

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From graphic novel enthusiasts to history buffs, there’s something for everyone on our list of 2022’s best chapter books for kids!

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Let's be honest. New Year's Resolutions are hard to maintain. If your shiny new list of goals lasts past March, you're doing great. My own grand plans are few: reading to my kids, reading more, and reading often is at the top.

As my family becomes firmly entrenched in the hamster wheel of the elementary years, I'm seizing the few opportunities to have my kids as my captive audience. Recently I've started to read aloud during dinner, and it's been amazing. Their laughs are priceless, and their silence as they hang on to every word of an engrossing story is golden. The books that spark innocent questions and lead to deep discussions are laying the groundwork for the tough conversations I know will come in their teen years.

So, if you're going to climb Mount Everest, learn a new language, or clean out the garage in 2023, I wholeheartedly applaud you. If you'd rather read more and call it a win, then check out some of the new picture books I'm most looking forward to reading this year.

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The Best Picture Books To Look Forward to in 2023 | Brightly

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Let's be honest. New Year's Resolutions are hard to maintain. If your shiny new list of goals lasts past March, you're doing great. My own grand plans are few: reading to my kids, reading more, and reading often is at the top.

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Chances are, your child will experiment with writing long before he or she learns to read. Here are some ways to help your child learn about and practice writing.

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Are you a parent looking for the best ways to get your kids excited to read? Are you a middle school teacher wondering how to encourage your students to keep reading? Maybe you a homeschool parent looking to inspire independent learning?

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Storytelling to Support Writing (parent letter)

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Flyleaf Publishing - Online Materials Portal

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For Students - Flyleaf Publishing - Online Materials Portal

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Browse Sight Word Games. Award winning educational materials designed to help kids succeed. Start for free now!

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Does your child sound choppy, slow, and labored when she is attempting to read? Then you are in the right place to find a bit of help with these reading fluency activites with reading fluency games online, reading fluency passages, timed reading games, printable reading fluency games and more!

This article explains more about how to teach reading fluency, in particular. (For more general strategies on teaching reading, check out this page on .)

Know what good reading fluency looks like before you start.

B efore we even begin, let's talk about what reading fluency is exactly. Fluency is typically defined by the ability to read accurately, quickly, and with proper expression.

Reading fluency is an indicator that you understand and can convey to listeners what the book or passage you are reading is about. Hand-in-hand with automaticity (the ability to automatically recall written words quickly), reading fluency combines automaticity with expression when speaking, which indicates that you understand, and are "into" the book.

So to recap, if you are a fluent reader, you can read:

A child by the end of 1st grade may be expected to read approximately 60 words per minute, increasing as he or she grows. T he average adult can read about 300 words per minute.

Accurately - If you are an accurate reader, you have the ability to recall many words by sight, and be able to decode words quickly and efficiently without stumbling, missing, or substituting words in the text.

A reader who understands the book or passage & With Expression - as they read it will inject personality with proper voice inflection, volume, and timing to the meaning of the text and while properly using the punctuation and sentence structure utilized by the author to convey the message. (Prosody is another word for reading expression you may have heard.)

Reading fluency goes along with great reading comprehension, so as you work on fluency, know that you are impacting the comprehension skills of your child also!
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. You can learn more about that here.

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15 Quick Reading Fluency Activities to Make Excellent Readers

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15 reading fluency activities you can do in minutes a day with strategies to improve reading fluency in your slow, choppy reader. Reading fluency games online, printable reading fluency games, reading passages and more! Education ideas - what are the 3 components of reading fluency? Wanting to know how to help your child read faster?

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Help your Child Make a Plan to Build Reading Stamina

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Help your Child Make a Plan to Build Reading Stamina

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Predictable Books Series might be your Reader's Best Friend

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Predictable Books Series might be your Reader's Best Friend

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" Mom, do you think the goblins stole the flag?" my daughter said one night as we read the (kazillionth) book in the Rainbow Magic Fairies series. (Or thereabouts.)

If you haven't read these books, let me explain something quickly- the goblins ALWAYS, in every book, are the bad guys.

I tried to act surprised, " Hmm, I don't know. What do you think? What clues made you think it might be the goblins? "

Predictable book series like this one, as mind-numbing as they might be for us adults, benefit kids.

What do I mean by predictible book series?

Books in a series where every book is set up in a similar way with the same main characters and a predictable plot. These are NOT book series with connecting plots. (No cliffhangers in these books.) Sure, there are a few books, like The Magic Tree House books, that do build upon a larger story yet ultimately can be read in any order and still be understood.

There are many important benefits when kids, especially beginning readers, read these kinds of series books like the ones I'll list below.

But before I list book titles, let's look at how these books can give kids important boosts in reading skills...

Benefits of Reading Books in a Series

Understanding of Plot Structure

When young children reread (and reread and reread) familiar books like Brown, Bear, Brown Bear by Eric Carle many things are happening. One of those things is that kids know what to expect from the story. They've heard it so many times.

Reading predictable chapter books is akin to reading a familiar picture book like Brown Bear or for me, watching a favorite cop shows on television like Blue Bloods or NCIS.

Every show is set up the same. Viewers know there will be a mystery that will be solved by the same favorite characters who are in every episode.

In a predictable chapter book, we have familiar characters and a familiar plot with only the conflict and the setting changing. (Sort of like my cop shows.)

Once readers get familiar with the structure of the Magic Tree House books, they will be very accurately able to predict what might happen: that Jack and Annie will travel somewhere in the past to fix a problem.

Readers will understand that stories have characters, a problem and a solution, and so forth.

This gives children a foundational knowledge of literary elements - without having to even label what those elements are. They already know.

Improving Predictions

Reading more than one Magic Tree House book helps readers make and refine predictions of what will happen in the story.

These predictions are easier than reading a completely new book because now kids have background knowledge. They already know several of the main characters will always be the same and there will always be a problem for them to solve.

Will they predict what will happen?

Hopefully, using the clues and background knowledge, their predictions will most likely become more very accurate

Comprehension

Children comprehend, or understand what they read, when they have support. Comprehension strategies include predicting, questioning, creating images, and seeking clarification.

Reading books with the same characters and plot structure gives readers support because it sets readers up for comprehension success.
Each new book already fits into their background knowledge about the series. This helps tremendously with comprehension.
Fluency

The predictability of the plot sequence leads to improved reading fluency.

Fluency is when kids are reading " quickly, accurately, and with proper expression" according to the National Reading Panel. Regie Routman adds to this definition that fluency must be paired with comprehension otherwise it's just calling words.
In Reading Essentials, she adds, "The best way to improve fluency is through repeated reading of familiar texts." I agree and add predictable book series to her suggestion.
Confidence

What child doesn't want to feel like a good reader? Maybe even a great reader?
I love watching this happen with children who devour a book series. Their confidence grows and grows.
Because of the aforementioned reasons, they're understanding, predicting, and gaining fluency in reading these books.

Talk about growing in your feeling of competence!

Predictable (Beginning) Book Series to Consider

These books are examples of engaging, kid-favorite predictable beginning chapter book series.

The Princess in Black by Shannon Hale

The Magic Tree House by Mary Pope Osborne

Rainbow Magic Fairies by Daisy Meadows

A to Z Mysteries by Rob Roy

Amelia Bedelia (Young Amelia) by Herman Parish

Encyclopedia Brown by Donald J. Sobol

Whatever After: Fairest of All by Sarah Mlynowski

by Jeff Kinney
More Book Series Ideas: Wholesome Beginning Chapter Books for Girls Wholesome Beginning Chapter Books for Boys Chapter Books Series for 1st Graders Chapter Books Series for 2nd Graders Chapter Books Series for 3rd Graders
If you're like me and occasionally feel tired of reading a predictable series, try not to worry. Soon enough, your child will move on to a different series as he or she grows as a reader.
You Might Also Like: How Reading Easy Books Can Help Kids Best Book Series for 1st Graders (Ages 6 and 7)

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How Predictable Book Series Benefit Beginning Readers

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" Mom, do you think the goblins stole the flag?" my daughter said one night as we read the (kazillionth) book in the Rainbow Magic Fairies series. (Or thereabouts.) If you haven't read these books, let me explain something quickly- the goblins ALWAYS, in every book, are the bad guys.

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1. Help your child learn the letters of the alphabet. Read ABC books, play letter-matching games, and work on puzzles to help her identify letters. Invite her to make letters using clay.

2. Take pictures of an activity that is especially interesting to your child. Use them to write a story together.

3. Keep a portfolio of your child's writing attempts. At different times in the year, show your child her writing samples and comment on her progress.

4. Bring writing materials with you whenever you go out to the grocery store, doctor's office, or a restaurant.

5. Celebrate your child's writing by prominently hanging her work in places where it is visible to all. Knowing that writing is important will go a long way toward motivating her to write more.

Writing supplies to have on hand:

paper (lined and unlined)

colorful stationery

chunky pencils, markers, and crayons

ink pads and rubber stamps

an old typewriter or keyboard

your child's writing samples

alphabet letters

Post-Its

envelopes

stickers

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Help your child learn the letters of the alphabet. Read ABC books, play letter-matching games, and work on puzzles to help her identify letters. Invite her to make letters using clay. Take pictures of an activity that is especially interesting to your child. Use them to write a story together.

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Create a Writer's Space

Children thrive with structure, if possible, create a fun space for kids to write at home. This can be a corner in their room, a desk, table, anyplace that they can go to and know it is time to write! Don't have a space to use? Grab an old shoebox and fill it with writing tools your children will need like paper, a notebook, pencils, and crayons. Now they have a portable writing desk that allows them to write anywhere!

Make Bulleted List

Have kids keep a list of all the different activities that they do each day at home in a journal or notebook. Simply put the date at the top of the list and have kids create the list. Some activities may be everyday tasks, like made my bed, while others may be more exciting like, went on a nature walk. No matter the task, have kids record them all. This simple activity not only helps kids to write each day but by creating this list, they are actually creating a brainstormed list of "seed" ideas that they can later turn into narrative writing pieces. If you have students complete this during a school break or summer vacation, be sure they bring this notebook back to school so they can use these ideas and expand upon them.

Descriptive Web

Have students select any household item and create a descriptive web in their writing notebook. To do this, they simply write the word of the item they are describing in a circle and create a web of descriptive phrases about it using their five senses. You could also give more specific directions about what to write about such as a special toy, a piece of fruit, or something that fits in your hand.

Figurative Language Around the House

One writing skill that students love to practice is using figurative language. I don't know what it is, but kids love to write similes and metaphors, pack a sentence full of alliteration, and write using personification and exaggeration. Have children find an object in their home and write about it using figurative language. They can simply write a sentence with one form of figurative language or a paragraph with several.

Write about Reading

Since students are expected to read every day, why not have them write about what they read. This does not have to be a long task at all! Keep it simple and have kids write a sentence or two that summarizes their reading, something that they learned, or a prediction that they have. Just a quick response to practice writing at home each day.

Daily Journal

I love having students write in their journals each morning. While sometimes there is a basic prompt such as, write about your favorite food or something you did over the weekend, I usually let students free-write. This is an easy activity for children to do at home, too. There is no right or wrong way to write in a journal, so just let them be creative.

Tip: If you find your child is stuck and does not know what to write about, give them three minutes to draw a picture in their journal and then have them write about their drawing.

Create an Instruction Manual

Have children keep a procedural writing journal of all the things that they did while they were home over break. They will not only be practicing how to writing skills, but they will never be stuck for an idea. They can write directions for ANY TASK they did that day including making a bed, brushing their teeth, washing dishes, building a lego set, reading a book, really anything! To motivate children to write, have them create a comic book style illustrations to match. If students complete this activity while on break from school. encourage them to bring in their writing when school begins again and "teach" their peers how to do something they are good at! Since this a writing project, it will take several days to complete.

A Picture is Worth 1000 Words

This one is simple! Grab any photo, even a digital one saved on a phone or tablet and have the kids write about it. They can write about what happened that day, a descriptive piece about the setting, or even a short story. Kids love using pictures to write, so why not use ones that they know a lot about already to get them writing?

Juicy Word Journal

In my classroom, we call out of the ordinary words "juicy words." This could be a descriptive adjective, a new word that they found in a chapter book or a very scientific vocabulary word they learned during science class! Simply have kids record the word and its meaning in a journal and before long they will have a dictionary of new words that they not only love but will actually use in their own writing.

Be the Parent for the Day

Let the kids pretend to be the adults for the day, at least when it comes to writing. When and why do parents need to write each day? Maybe you have to write a grocery list, a recipe, or an email. Let the kids help or do all the writing that is needed that day. There is nothing better than using parent role models to encourage writing at home.

Don't Forget the Other Genres

Writing is so much more than a narrative or essay! Encourage your child to think about something that they love and write a poem or song lyrics about it. They can also complete writing activities with a purpose like writing a friendly letter or note to a friend or family member, or an email to a company requesting information or asking a question. Any form of writing is great writing practice!

Writing at home helps writers grow! Be sure to download these ideas for FREE here to encourage your students to write at home or to use it as an at-home writing assignment. Students will be engaged and since these activities require no screens or printables, all students can complete tasks.

You might be interested in reading:

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How Parents Can Help with Writing at Home - TeachWriting.org

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Children thrive with structure, if possible, create a fun space for kids to write at home. This can be a corner in their room, a desk, table, anyplace that they can go to and know it is time to write! Don't have a space to use?

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Get Kids Motivated to Write with these Authentic Writing Ideas

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Once kids learn to write the key is to keep them writing! Try these authentic writing activities to keep kids motivated and practicing in a meaningful way.

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Even More Ways to Support your Child's Writing Life

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Even More Ways to Support your Child's Writing Life

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Follow these tips to support your child's writing at home.

Provide a place for your child to write.

The area should be an area that is quiet and well lit. Stock the "writing center" with supplies such as paper, pencils and crayons. You can also gather family photos and magazines in the center that can be used as story starters.

Read, read, read!

The best activity to improve writing is reading. If your child reads good books, he will be a better writer. Reading exposes students to general vocabulary, word study and content-specific vocabulary. Through reading, students see a variety of authors' techniques that they can use in their own writing.

This is excellent writing practice, as well as a good outlet for venting feelings. Encourage your child to write about things that happen at home and school. This reflective journal can be used to develop the "senses" of writing. Have your child write about what he saw, heard or felt on a trip or adventure. Provide experiences in your community that will interest your child and spark her writing. Especially encourage your child to write about personal feelings - pleasures as well as disappointments. When reading your child's journal (only if your child invites you to, of course), share your own feelings and ideas paired with positive feedback about your child's writing.

Provide authentic writing opportunities for your child.

Have your child write his own thank-you notes, party invitations and letters to family. Let your child make the grocery list. Finding a pen pal for your child would make writing "real." Helping children make the connection between writing and the "real" world will increase an interest in writing.

Be a writing role model.

Make sure your child sees you as a writer. Point out times that you use writing to communicate with others. Discuss authentic writing in the community such as articles and letters in the newspaper, on billboards or in written advertisements. Discuss the purpose of the writing and the target audience. When your child writes, you should write. You can schedule a day of the week that you will turn off the television and share your writing.

Start a vocabulary notebook.

Teach your child new words each week and encourage her to use them. Make it into a game and give points for using the new words. Your child can keep a vocabulary notebook and get rewarded for the number of new words learned. The words will begin to appear like magic in her oral language and writing.

Ask questions.

Always ask your child questions when he writes. Ask specific questions about your child's writing such as: "How did that happen?" "How did that make you feel?" "Can you tell me more about that...?" "What are some other words you could use to describe...?"

Help your child publish her writing.

Share her writing with others, place it on the refrigerator or encourage her to write for kids' magazines. When your child's writing is published in a children's book, she will be on her way to becoming a lifelong writer and author. Check out these options for publishing children's work:

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Best ways to support writing at home | Parenting

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Follow these tips to support your child's writing at home. The area should be an area that is quiet and well lit. Stock the "writing center" with supplies such as paper, pencils and crayons. You can also gather family photos and magazines in the center that can be used as story starters.

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The SAG-AFTRA Foundation's Daytime Emmy-nominated, Storyline Online, features celebrated actors reading children's books to inspire a love of reading in millions of children worldwide.

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Read Aloud to Promote Empathy and Kindness

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Read Aloud to Promote Empathy and Kindness