Summer Fun Reading Activities

Summer Fun Reading Activities

Ideas compiled by Janetta Graham 5/09

Table of Contents Themed Activities Activity Sheet of Ideas to do with your Book (descriptions only) Activity Sheet of Ideas to do with your Book (blank form) Planning Sheet for the Week (multiple book approach) Summer Themes Picture Book Read A-louds Reading Fun Reading Rewards/Fun Spots to Read Reading Logs (3) Words I Can Read Poetry Chapter Book Ideas Chapter Book Read A-louds (Summaries) Book Review forms (2) Book Related Sites Leveled Reading Kid’s Magazines Summer Learning (article)

Themed Activities 1. Choose a book (picture book or chapter book). 2. Fill out Activity sheetwith lots of activities that you could do related to the themes in your book. 3. If you choose to incorporate multiple books then fill out the planning sheet. 4. The fun begins! Be flexible in case a new idea emerges.

Activity Sheet of Ideas to do with your Book (suggestions to get you started) Title of the Book:

Themes:

Author: Reading: find sight words, find words with a specific letter, rhyming words, opposites, comprehension, sequencing, comprehension, metaphors, poetry, repeating phrases, vocabulary Math: addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, measuring, recipes, graphs, grocery ads, retail ads, real-life story problems, patterns, make tessellations Science: experiments, observation log, make a hyposthesis(guess), animals, plants, classify groups, physical science, magnetism, grow something, garden, classification Health: body parts, body systems, nutrition, physical fitness Geography: Where is it? Are there any traditions specific to the people? Learn more about the culture. Locate where people live on a map. What kind of terrain does this take place in (mountains, dessert, wilderness, etc.)?Create a story map of the locations discussed in the book. What type of terrain does this take place in (mountains, desert, wilderness) Physical Fitness: sports, athletes, obstacle course

History: When did this take place? Anything significant happening in history at this time? Who’sperspective is this told from? Are there any historical sights we could visit? Interview someone with

New Skill: Learn a new sport, art, sewing, woodworking, games, board games, etc. Does this relate to Faith in God? Mini-trip: explore somewhere local or plan a trip to learn more (i.e. museums, zoo, places of interest, stores, nature, park, nature center, etc.) Family Project: build something, make a goal and attain it, designate roles in project, earn a trip at end of summer as a family Personal Goal: make a goal and define the steps to attain it. Make a poster to show progress. Rewards? Drama: reenact, make a commercial or advertisement, puppet show, pantomime, flannel board figures

Art/Crafts: create something new, make a collage, paint, watercolors, oil pastels, study artwork from this period Cooking:Cook something that is mentioned in the book. Many of the newer books include recipes in the back of the book. Create a new recipe. Create a restaurant menu based on

related experience. Are there any historical places nearby that relate? Does this relate to our family history in any way? Music/Dance: learn new dance, music that relates, nursery rhymes, listen to music relating to the book, learn a new dance Writing: book report, journalist for newspaper, write a letter/card, secret code, fill in the blank, write your thoughts in a journal, new ending, pen pal, rewrite new version of story

book.

Movie/Video: Is there a movie that reenacts this book? Make a homemade movie. Related Books: seek out books that relate to the topic, read other books the author has written about.

Activity Sheet of Ideas to do with your Book Title of the Book:

Themes:

Author: Reading:

New Skill:

Math:

Mini-trip:

Science:

Family Project:

Writing:

Cooking/Baking:

Geography/History:

Movie/Video:

Art/Crafts:

Related Books:

Music/Dance:

Personal Goal:

Health/Physical Fitness:

Additional Notes:

Planning Sheet for the Week Theme: Monday

Activities:

Book:

Tuesday

Activities:

Book:

Wednesda y Book:

Activities:

(multiple book approach)

Thursday

Activities:

Book:

Friday

Activities:

Book:

Notes: _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________

Summer Themes

(used these in grouping

books together) ***Other ways to have a theme: (1) group different versions of the same story together (2) find books by the same author

Gardening

Colors

Insects

Letters everywhere

Pioneers

Counting and numbers

Ice Cream

Recipes

Watermelon

Swimming

Countries around the World

Exercise

America/Patriotism

Nature

Flags/American Icons

Birds

Building/Construction

Heat/Temperature

Fairy Tales

Friends

Space

Sunshine and Shadows

Flowers

Bikes

Ocean Life

Baseball

Cooking

Soccer

Water

Family

Rainbows

Vacation

Beaches

Picture Book Read Alouds Things to do before reading books: • • •

Picture walk (scan through the pages without reading it and get a sense of what the story will be about with your child) Talk about the cover of the book. Have the child tell you what they think this book is about. Are there any emotions seen? Why do they think that? Introduce a new word or phrase and have them look for that word while you read.

Things to do while reading books: •

• • • • • • • •

Ask questions (What do you think will happen next? Why do you think that character did that? Can you see something happening in the pictures that you don’t find in the text?) Find letters (if beginning reader) Find rhyming words Find repeating phrases or patterns in the book Find similarities and differences between main character and your child Don’t forget to point to each word as you read (for younger readers) Talk about new words and their meaning Partner read. Split up the reading with the child. Alternate between paragraph, page, chapter. Make predictions about what is going to happen on the next page or later in the story.

Things to do after reading books: • • • •

Write a new ending Pick a theme from the book and explore more on that topic Fill out book activity sheet (enclosed) Have the child verbalize or write down a summary of what they read

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Talk about what you liked the best. What was the most surprising part? What didn’t you like? What did you learn from this story? Would you recommend this book to someone else? Cut out pictures from a magazine relating to the book and make a collage or classify Talk about the characters, plot (what happened in the beginning, middle, end), setting, etc. Ask your child what they would have done in the situation. Would they act differently? The same?

Reading Fun • • • • •

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Read every day at the same time (the highlight of the day) Read after lunch in a cozy spot Have a picnic and read books together Read books on a blanket outside Family Reading time-find a time during the day where you drop everything and read as a family. You may choose to read together or choose to read independently. The idea is just to read all together (in the same room preferably). Book Club-choose a different book to read each month and meet together to discuss it and do a craft that relates Go to the library for storytime Get grandma or grandpa to record story on tape and have child read along Book Birthday theme (or book party just because)-plan a birthday party all around a treasured book. Have the decorations and activities go along with the themes in your book. Friends could even bring a book as a gift. Book Swap Donate book to library as gift to birthday Read to younger sibling/ “Book Buddies” Group your books by themes. Read books around a theme each week. Write your own story Make reading stories part of your bedtime routine Introduce a favorite book from your childhood and share any memories you have with it Illustrate a popular story with your pictures Write letters to each other and place in homemade “mailbox” inside home Journal back and forth with child about a book they are reading. They can ask anything! Keep track of the books you’ve read using a reading log (see enclosed) Build your family library. Find books that your kids like and give those books as gifts for birthdays and Christmas Prop bag: select items that represent something in the story. Have the child choose one item at a time and relate the item to the story or characters. Find a wordless story and write the words Color words one by one as child learns them. Introduce a new book each day or week and color that word until all the words have been colored in. Congrats…you read an entire book! Use “Words I Can Read” to help determine which words to focus on first as a beginner reader Have reading materials around everywhere (magazines, newsletter, books)

• • • •

Celebrate author’s birthday by reading the books they wrote Reading is everywhere…cereal boxes, food labels, store signs, restaurant signs Find books that match child’s interest Find books you want them to learn something from or something you are doing this summer

Summer Binder: • • • • • •

Have a divider for each subject Write down personal goals for each subject or create a new divider for this. Have parent sign off on the completion of each goal. Include Faith in God materials that you are working on Write new sight words or new vocabulary words on an index card and place in a pencil holder for practice Includes reading charts Other materials you deem necessary

Reading Rewards 1. Very Hungry Caterpillar “Booklist”-each time your child reads a book they have a circle added to the caterpillar 2. Book chains-write the name of the book and author on color strip of paper and make a chain with all the books you’ve read this summer 3. Reading Jar-once the jar is filled then they are able to do something special (i.e. movie, ice cream cone, special date with parent, pick out a new book at the store) 4. Earn money for every book you read (younger readers) 5. Earn money for every book you read and do a book report on (older readers)see enclosed forms 6. Set a personal goal or family goal and once its attained then enjoy the rewards. 7. Reading logs-set a goal of how many books your child will read or read with you this summer and achieve it (write down or color in the number of books on the chart after you’ve read it). Enclosed reading logs follow. 8. Summer Reading program at the library 9. Work towards a special event (i.e. movie, swimming, ice cream cone, date with mom or dad, museum, mini-trip, etc.)

Fun Reading Spots •

• Tent • Hammock • Treehouse/Clu bhouse/Fort • Bean bag

• Window seat • On a blanket outside • In a dark room with a flashlight • Couch • Bed • Cereal Fort/Castle (collect empty cereal boxes and tape them together in a fort or castle design)

Poetry: The New Kid on the Block by Jack Prelutsky

Sing a Song of Popcorn by Beatrice Schenk de Regniers Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein

The Random House Book of Poetry for Children by Jack Prelutsky A Pizza the Size of the Sun by Jack Prelutsky

Activities to do with Poetry: 1. Find rhyming words

2. Circle letters, letter chunks, endings, repeated words or phrases, etc. on a printed copy of the poems 3. Act out poem 4. Collect favorite poems and make a poetry book to read from. 5. Write your own 6. Learn about different types of poetry and their patterns. 7. Find the poetry in music.

Chapter Book Ideas • • •

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Find activity guides online with questions to ask for each chapter (search for book activities, teacher’s guides, lesson plans) Book report-when your child has finished the chapter book, have them write a book report on what they read (enclosed examples) Reading Journal-as your child is reading their chapter book havethem write questions or comment on what they’ve read in a reading journal. As a parent, you may choose to read the book along with or separate from your child and make comments and ask questions. This journal gets passed back and forth from parent to child. Read books from different genres (nonfiction, fiction, biography, history, mystery, poetry, science, fairy tale, humor, science-fiction, adventure) Read a book that has been made into a movie. Compare and contrast the two. How were they similar? How were they different? Which version did you like best and why? Use Vinn Diagram (enclosed) Illustrate your favorite scene from the book Make a related project discussed in the book or learn a new skill Set a goal with your child of what they could read and find something to do together as a reward Research more on a subject discussed in the book Write a reader’s theatre version of the story for younger siblings to read Write a review of this book Look up the author or title of the book online and see what you find out Read aloud a chapter book as a family Book swap Book Club

Websites: http://www.homeschoolshare.com/level5.php (chapter by chapter lessons) http://www.basedonthebook.com/list_of_movies_based_on_books/ (books that were made into movies…old and new)

Read A-louds-Chapter book classics Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery Meet the orphaned redhead who changes the lives of everyone she meets in her new Canadian hometown. Black Beauty by Anna Sewell See the world of the 19th century from a horse's eyes as Beauty grows from colt to carriage horse. The Black Stallion by Walter Farley A boy and a wild horse meet on a ship and stay together through adversity and amazing adventures. The Borrowers by Mary Norton Glimpse the minute Clock family in their hidden home beneath the floorboards. The Boxcar Children by Gertrude Chandler Warner Four orphaned siblings make it on their own through hard work and a little luck. Charlotte's Web by E. B. White Wilbur the pig and a spider named Charlotte share a remarkable friendship. From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E. L. Konigsburg Claudia and her brother run away to live in a New York museum and discover a mysterious statue. Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh See the world through the investigative eyes of Harriet, whose detailed notebook gets her in trouble with her friends. Heidi by Johanna Spyri Orphaned Heidi travels from aunt to grandfather and learns she prefers old country life to young city life. The Indian in the Cupboard by Lynne Reid Banks A magic cabinet brings a boy's toys to life with the help of a special key. Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell A story inspired by the miraculous experiences of a 12-year-old Native American who survived alone for 18 years. James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl Magical crystals make James's wicked aunts' tree grow a huge peach that yields an incredible new life.

The Last of the Mohicans by James Fenimore Cooper Caught between the white and Indian worlds, Hawkeye must battle to save innocent lives during a time of war. Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder Learn about the history and lives of the early pioneers through Wilder's stories of her own life. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott The four March sisters strive to accomplish their dreams even though it's not always easy as 19th-century women. The Littles by John Peterson The tiny people inside the walls have to befriend a cat — which could be a big problem! Mary Poppins by P. L. Travers The enchanting tale of the Banks children and the most magical nanny in England. My Father's Dragon by Ruth Stiles Gannett A whimsical tale of Elmer Elevator's exploits on his mission to rescue a baby dragon. Nancy Drew Mysteries by Carolyn Keene Join teenage sleuth Nancy and her friends Ned, Bess, and George as they crack case after case. Peter Pan by J. M. Barrie Fly to Never-Never Land with Tinkerbell and the Darling children and meet the Lost Boys and Captain Hook. The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster A boy's drive through a toy tollbooth leads to a fantastic land of magical math and language. Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren Generous, mischievous, irrepressible Pippi dances with burglars, fights circus strongmen, and has hilarious hijinks. Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor An African-American family strives to stay strong in the face of hardships in the South in the 1930s. The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett The contrary Mary finds happiness in growing a garden and helping her sickly cousin.

Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson Set sail with Jim Hawkins for a high-seas adventure that crosses the path of Long John Silver. A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle The Wallace siblings must go on an amazing journey through space to find their father. Source: http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=7935

Book Related Sites Book Activities: http://www.hubbardscupboard.org/printable_booklets.html#SharedReadingBooklets Book lesson plans and printable booklets: http://www.littlehousebooks.com/ (Little House on the Prairie: quizzes, activities, recipes, teacher’s activity guides, etc.) http://www.icanread.com/activities/pdfs/fancynancy/FancyNancyButterflyActivityKit0 8.pdf Fancy Nancy: http://www.thevirtualvine.com/drseuss.html Dr. Seuss: http://www.dltk-teach.com/books/index.htm Poplar book character ideas: http://www.icanread.com/activities/downloadables.cfm Activities with familiar books: http://bookclub4boysinfo.blogspot.com/2008/12/start-book-club-for-your-boy.html Book Club for Boys: http://www.homeschoolshare.com/levels.php Book Activities by age group (already prepared lessons, writing pages, etc.) : http://www.kidsreads.com/index.asp Info on authors, book trivia, upcoming books, books into movies, etc.

Crafts: http://www.daniellesplace.com/html/crafts.html Craft ideas by theme http://www.dltk-holidays.com/summer/crafts.htm Summer craft ideas http://www.skiptomylou.org/2009/05/11/literature-based-crafts-and-activities/ (crafts to go along with popular picture books)

Other: http://www.notimeforflashcards.com/ (craft ideas, book ideas, learning fun) http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/collection.jsp?id=318 (must visit this one…very helpful for parents) : http://www.dltk-cards.com/writingpaper/cpaper1.asp Customized Writing Paper http://www.dltk-holidays.com/summer/worksheets.htmSummer Printable Worksheets: (crosswords, word scrambles, mazes, word ladders, word searches, cryptographs, etc.)

http://www.sugardoodle.net/mambo/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id =1748&Itemid=429 Gospel Themed Lesson Plans http://www.puzzle-maker.com/CW/ Create your own crossword

Leveled Reading Lists: http://www.bookadventure.com/ki/bs/ki_bs_helpfind.asp http://nancykeane.com/rl/ (reading lists for almost every category and by grade level-mixed in) http://home.comcast.net/~ngiansante/index.html (easy to read list by grade) http://www.raz-kids.com/main/BrowseCategory/id/new (printable books at reading level)

What is leveled reading? Simply put, it is reading at an appropriate level that matches your current reading ability. You can find books at the library (or even books at home) that match your reading level. At school it can be determined by the teacher and may be given a letter or number value for its level. If you need help with this…let me k now. How do I know if my child is reading at their level? • • •

If your child is reading 90% of the words correctly (and understands what they are reading) then that is just right. If your child is reading less than 90% of the words accurately then that book is too hard and they will get frustrated. If your child is reading more than 90% of the words then that book is too easy for them.

Kids Magazines (these make great gifts too) Friend ages 3-12 www.ldscatalog.com Highlights ages 6-12 http://www.highlights.com/ High Five ages 2-6 http://www.highlights.com/ Cricket Magazine Group ages 6 months through teenage years (various magazines including Babybug, Ladybug, Spider, Cicada, etc.) http://www.cricketmag.com/shop_magzines.asp New Moon ages 8-12 www.newmoon.org (profiles, poetry, fiction for and by girls) Animal Baby ages 1-4, Your Big Backyard ages 3-7, Ranger Rick ages 7 and up http://www.nwf.org/kids/ American Girl ages 8-12 http://www.americangirl.com/fun/agmg/ Sports Illustrated for Kids ages 8 and up http://www.sikids.com/ National Geographic Kids ages 6-14 http://www.nationalgeographic.com/magazines/ Zoobies ages 0-3, Zootles ages 3-6, Zoobooks ages 6-12 http://www.zoobooks.com/ Calliope ages 9+ www.cobblestonepub.com (world history) Stone Soup 8+ www.stonesoup.com (fiction, poetry, art for and by kids)