A Reading Pocket: Idea #342

Looking for more reading opportunities with your student? Try doing a reading pocket. I read about it here. All you do is throughout the day gather random things with written words and slip them in your pocket. It could be a comic strip, a card, a fortune, or even your horoscope. At the end of the day, find a special time to share what you gathered in your pocket throughout the day. Your student will be so excited to read with you what you encountered during the day. Reading was never so much fun!

Interactive Websites: Idea #341

Just thank me later, okay? I found this wonderful website that lists TONS of interactive reading websites for young readers. By each website is a brief description of what you will find on the website. Not only is there a list of Reading websites, but there is also: Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies, and Assessment. Take some time and check out this wonderful website. See which links would be most beneficial for your student. Just click here. Enjoy!

Children's Storybooks Online: Idea #340

It's time to check out yet another great reading website! Children's Storybooks Online include books for younger children, older children, and even young adults! Some books include the audio, others do not. The pictures are cute and enjoyable. Some of the books you can just scroll down to see each page, other books you have to click next to get to the next page. This website also includes: Phonics Links, Riddles, Quizzes, and Award Links. Check out this great website here!

Passport to Reading: Idea #339

I just found this really cute idea today on the web called a Passport to Reading. What a fun way to motivate your student to read! 

Inside the passport the students write down how many minutes they read each week. Kids can even glue in a self portrait and sign their name, like a real passport. 

A fun way to get students to fill in their minutes is to have them only record the books they have read that take place around the world, like they are really traveling! You can check out these really cute Reading Passports here. Happy reading!

Book It!: Idea #338

When I was a kid, the Pizza Hut Book It Program was a big deal. If your student loves pizza, you should look into getting them signed up for the Book It Program. Here is what you do:

1. Go to the following website: http://bookitprogram.com/

2. Scroll down to the bottom of the page under the Teachers category. 

3. Click on How to Enroll. 

4. Click on the school type, then your zip code, and lastly find your school! If you are not a teacher, go here: http://www.bookitprogram.com/parents/documents/enrollflierparent.pdf

5. Once all of the information is filled out, you will be sent all the forms needed to participate in the program.

Look through the website and you will find other great resources to help your child with their reading. This program is fun because students keep track of their reading and in the end get free pizza. Have fun getting your student started!

Sight Word Telephone: Idea #337

Do you remember playing the game Telephone as a kid? For me, it was a usual recess activity. Why not try putting a sight word twist to it? Here is what you do:

1. You will need sight word flash cards for this game.

2. Put your students in a line.

3. Have the first student in line pick a sight word flash card, read it to himself, and then whisper it to the next student in line.

4. The next student then whispers what they hear to the next person in line, and so on.

5. Once the word has gotten to the end of the line, the student says the sight word outloud. Then the first student says if it is the correct sight word or not. Usually it will two different words! 

6. When the round is completed and everyone is done laughing, choose another student to have a turn being first and drawing a sight word.

Have fun!

Sentence Game for Juniors: Idea #336

Time to make reading really fun! Try playing the Sentence Game for Juniors with your student. This board game has two options of how to play it:

OPTION #1: On one side of the board there are pre-made sentences. This is the easier version. Each player takes a turn reading two of their tiles and placing them on top of the corresponding words on the game board. Each time a player completes a sentence, he earns a point. The player with the most points at the end of the game wins.

OPTION #2: On the other side of the board the spaces are blank in order for players to create their own sentences. This is the more advanced version. All of the tiles are divided evenly between all of the players. On your turn, you place two or more tiles on the board to make a complete sentence. You can also add one or more tiles to a sentence that is already on the board. Points are received for each tile that is placed on the board.

As the teacher, decide which option is the most appropriate for your student to enjoy the game.You can buy this game here. Have fun!