Engaging Reading Activities for Grades 4-5 by Erin Miller

Switch It

emiller383 — 2025-05-11 17:58:53 UTC

This activity supports building phonemic awareness (hearing individual sounds in words) and spelling. Watch the video above for a tutorial. One piece of advice is to stick with short vowel real and nonsense words and add 2-3 letter blends at the beginning and 2-letter blends at the end.

Beginning blends:

-br, cr, dr, fr, gr, pr, tr

-bl, cl, fl, gl, pl, sl

-sc, sk, sm, sn, sp, st

-dw, sw, tw

-scr, shr, spl, spr, squ, str, thr

Final Blends:

-ct, ft, lt, nt, pt, st, xt

-ld, lf, lk, lp

-mp, nch, nd, sk, sp

Syllable Reference

emiller383 — 2025-05-11 18:17:54 UTC

HERE is a resource that describes the 6 syllable types and the 4 syllable division patterns.

Part 1: Open and Closed Syllables

ssado1221 — 2025-05-23 20:44:13 UTC

THIS video is the perfect place to start when learning about syllable types. It explains the first two most common syllable types, closed and open, and also gives practice words.

Open and Closed Syllable Hunt

ssado1221 — 2025-05-23 20:45:43 UTC

Click HERE to print out a copy of the "Open and Closed Syllable Hunt" to practice skills taught in the Part 1: Open and Closed Syllables video.

Open and Closed Syllable Word Sort

ssado1221 — 2025-05-23 20:45:57 UTC

Click HERE to print a copy of the "Open and Closed Syllable Sort to practice skills taught in the Part 1: Open and Closed Syllable video.

Part 2: Syllabicate 2-Syllable Words with the VC/CV Pattern

ssado1221 — 2025-05-23 20:46:05 UTC

THIS video is an introduction to the syllabication process. It covers the most common syllabication pattern, VC/CV.

VC/CV Practice Words

ssado1221 — 2025-05-23 20:46:12 UTC

This is a collection of words that follow the VC/CV pattern to provide more practice. Don't forget to use the "Syllabication Checklist" to support proper syllabication steps.

Words: combat, rustic, wombat, tennis, possum, Jello, hello, gumbo, jumbo, lasso, limbo, alto, mascot, confess, banjo, gossip, motto, candid, napkin, picnic, tablet, witness, cactus, tempo, hippo, cambo, ditto, goddess, expel, submit, gusto, admit, muffin, fossil, rabbit, fabric, goblin

Part 3: Syllabicate 3-Syllable Words with the VC/CV Pattern

ssado1221 — 2025-05-23 20:46:20 UTC

HERE is the third video in this series that models how to syllabicate words with 3 or more syllables with the VC/CV pattern.

Part 3: Practice Syllabicating 3-Syllable words with the VC/CV Pattern

ssado1221 — 2025-05-23 20:46:26 UTC

This is a collection of 3-syllable words that follow the VC/CV pattern.

Words: Atlantic, fantastic, hobgoblin, insistent, intellect, commitment, bombastic, lemniscus, encompass, prognostic

Part 4: V/CV and VC/V Syllable Patterns

ssado1221 — 2025-05-23 20:46:33 UTC

HERE is a video that introduces the 2nd and 3rd most common syllable patterns.

V/CV and VC/V Practice Words

ssado1221 — 2025-05-23 20:46:41 UTC

This is a collection of words that follow the V/CV and VC/V patterns to provide more practice. Don't forget to use the "Sylabication Checklist" to support proper syllabication steps.

V/CV Words: lotus, unit, zero, ego, latex, polo, topaz, veto, token, bonus, halo, bogo, basic, focus, humid, open, hotel, omit, Roman, even, Irish, raven

VC/V Words: cabin, comic, credit, critic, vivid, denim, panic, radish, relic, polish, ravish, colic, seven, lavish, rapid, livid, static, timid, Spanish, trivet, tepid

Part 5: Syllabicate Words with the Silent-e Syllable Type

ssado1221 — 2025-05-23 20:46:49 UTC

Now that you have learned how to use the 3 most common syllable patterns to syllabicate longer words, let's explore how to syllabicate with different syllable patterns. You should have already learned about open and closed syllables before moving on to this next video. HERE you will learn about silent-e syllables.

Part 5: Practice Syllabicating Words with Silent-e

ssado1221 — 2025-05-23 20:46:58 UTC

This is a collection of words that follow the VC/CV, V/CV, or VC/V patterns that incorporate the silent-e pattern.

Words: contrive, combine, reptile, debate, vacate, dispute, obese, conclude, shipshape, ignite, inhale, tadpole, mandate, invite, escape, dictate, extreme, elope

Part 6: Syllabicate Words with the Vowel Team Syllable Type

ssado1221 — 2025-05-23 20:47:04 UTC

THIS video will teach how to look for vowel teams to support syllabication.

Part 6: Practice Syllabicating Words with Vowel Teams

ssado1221 — 2025-05-23 20:47:28 UTC

This is a collection of words that will follow the VC/CV, V/CV, or VC/V patterns that incorporate vowel teams.

Words: mealtime, cocoa, detail, fifteen, mayhem, toenail, inseam, reload, abstain, esteem, dismay, oboe, reveal, caseload, reclaim, discreey, ashtray, roscoe

Read It- Syllabication

ssado1221 — 2025-05-23 20:47:34 UTC

Support your students in practicing to read and write across multisyllabic words. HERE is a resource of multisyllabic words based on phonics concepts and syllable patterns.

Roll and Reads

ssado1221 — 2025-05-23 20:49:46 UTC

HERE is a master of the UFLI roll and reads by phonics concept to work on automaticity with word recognition.

Syllabication game

ssado1221 — 2025-05-23 20:54:06 UTC

HERE is a board game to practice syllabication.

Part 7: Syllabicate Words with R-Controlled Vowels

emiller383 — 2025-05-23 20:55:25 UTC

THIS video will teach you how to look for

r-controlled syllables.

Speedy Syllables

ssado1221 — 2025-05-23 20:57:40 UTC

HERE is the link to an activity to support fluency and accuracy with reading syllables or word parts.

Word Part Rush

ssado1221 — 2025-05-23 20:59:35 UTC

HERE is a link to an activity to support fluency and accuracy reading word parts.

Phrases Haste

ssado1221 — 2025-05-23 21:01:55 UTC

HERE is a link to an activity to support fluency and accuracy with reading phrases.

Fluency with Chunked Texts

ssado1221 — 2025-05-23 21:06:35 UTC

HERE is a passage that has been divided into meaningful chunks to support proper phrasing, intonation, and expression.

Strategies to Support Reading Fluency

ssado1221 — 2025-05-23 21:17:11 UTC

Key Elements of Fluency

ssado1221 — 2025-05-23 21:19:53 UTC

Syllable Division Checklist

emiller383 — 2025-05-23 21:21:16 UTC

Print a copy of THIS checklist to support your student's syllabication process.

Part 7: Practice Syllabicating Words with R-Controlled Vowels

emiller383 — 2025-05-23 21:23:00 UTC

This is a collection of words that will follow the VC/CV, V/CV, or VC/V patterns that incorporate r-controlled vowels.

Words: blister, infirm, curate, garnet, tractor, canister, squirmish, perturb, torpedo, carpenter, perplex, stirrup, burlap, ardent, porcupine

Part 8: Syllabicate Words with Consonant-le

emiller383 — 2025-05-23 21:23:11 UTC

THIS video will teach you how to look for consonant-le syllables.

Part 8: Practice Syllabicating Words with Consonant-le Syllables

emiller383 — 2025-05-23 21:23:22 UTC

This is a collection of words that will follow the VC/CV, V/CV, or VC/V patterns that incorporate consonant-le syllables.

Words: toddle, ladle, maple, nozzle, gable, dimple, wiggle, gamble, rumble, scruple, title, humble, finagle, temple, assemble, bamboozle

Narrative Text Structure

ssado1221 — 2025-05-23 21:35:13 UTC

HERE is a link to types of questions that support reading comprehension of narrative texts.

Story Mountain

ssado1221 — 2025-05-23 21:40:38 UTC

This graphic organizer supports students with identifying the key components of a story plot. See this VIDEO for more information about story mountains. Students can create their own story mountain as well to have more space and flexibility.

Reader's Theater

ssado1221 — 2025-05-25 15:52:07 UTC

HERE is a link to reader's theater scripts from the Iowa Center for Reading Research

You will find scripts for K-2 and 3-5.

ssado1221 — 2025-05-29 15:26:05 UTC

MAIN IDEA/DETAILS: A main idea/details reading comprehension activity involves identifying the central point of a text and the supporting details that clarify or expand on that point. Students can practice this by reading short passages and then circling or underlining the main idea and details, or by completing a graphic organizer to organize their thoughts.

HERE is a link to a sample graphic organizer

ssado1221 — 2025-05-29 15:43:27 UTC

"Reading Rockets" is a national initiative that provides resources and information on how young children learn to read, why some struggle, and how caring adults can help.

HERE you will find many ideas about how to make summer a great time for reading, writing, exploring, thinking, creating, and learning with your kids.

Audio Book App

ssado1221 — 2025-05-29 15:53:48 UTC

Audiobooks offer numerous benefits for children. They can improve listening skills, expand vocabulary, boost comprehension, and even encourage visualization and emotional engagement with stories. Audio books can take away the effort of decoding so your child can mentally focus on the meaning of what they are reading; this is often called ear reading.

HERE is a link to Libby, which is a free app through the public library system.

Echo Reading

ssado1221 — 2025-05-29 17:23:17 UTC

Read a sentence or paragraph to your child with proper expression and pace, while they echo the same text immediately after.

Benefit: Students learn proper pacing and expression by mimicking a fluent reader.

Repeated Reading Recording

ssado1221 — 2025-05-29 17:23:37 UTC

Students record themselves reading the same passage three times. After each reading, they listen to their recording and note improvements in speed, accuracy, and expression.

You can also time them reading for one minute and record the number of words read in one minute and their accuracy (words correct/total words read). The goal is to improve both rate and accuracy.

Materials needed:
- Recording device or app
- Timer

Story Time with Stuffed Animals

ssado1221 — 2025-05-29 17:24:06 UTC

Students practice reading aloud to their favorite stuffed animals or pets. This low-pressure activity helps build confidence and encourages expressive reading.

Turning Points

ssado1221 — 2025-05-29 17:31:58 UTC

Character Analysis

ssado1221 — 2025-05-29 17:34:19 UTC

Building a Theme

ssado1221 — 2025-05-29 17:36:34 UTC

Character Growth

ssado1221 — 2025-05-29 17:36:49 UTC