One of the life skills that we teach and regularly practice with our students is the ability to follow either written or verbal instructions. Sometimes following instructions exactly is incredibly crucial– like when you’re doing an intricate chemistry experiment or assembling a bed, and other times– like when you’re making a peanut butter sandwich or coloring a picture, precision isn’t quite as necessary. Regardless of precision needed, learning to follow instructions is an important skill for all students to learn.
To help your students practice this skill, I’ve created a set of four “Read and Do” worksheets. Three of the pages contain a picture and a set of instructions. Students read each instruction and complete the task. One page is a create your own “Read & Do” where students can write their own set of instructions, then trade with a classmate to have them follow the instructions.
These worksheets give students a fun way to practice following specific instructions, simply for the objective of practicing following instructions. They provide a low-risk opportunity to practice this skill, as precision isn’t crucial. This activity is recommended for grades 1-3, but early readers could also benefit from its use. If you are wanting to have your students practice following verbal instructions, you can simply read them out loud to your class.
These worksheets are free to download, and are for personal or classroom use only. Do not resell, repost, or claim as your own.
Getting kids to read over the summer can be a challenge. When the sun is shining and friends are out playing, reading is often the last thing on their list of things to do. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned from being a teacher and a mom, it’s that it is always worth the effort to get kids to read. I don’t think I’ve ever said to myself, “Man, I wish I wouldn’t have had my kids read today!” Reading is always a good idea, and will always help to boost reading skills.
Trying to find a way to encourage kids to read when it’s not for a grade can be tricky, especially for reluctant readers, but since many kids are externally motivated when it comes to “extra” learning opportunities, sometimes it helps to make it a fun experience. Offer a reward for every 5 books they read. Let them pick a book or two at the library. Let them read in a place they normally wouldn’t read. Make it fun and engaging so that it draws them in and creates an excitement for reading time.
To help you with this, I’ve created a reading challenge you can print off and send home with your students, or print off and use with your own children. The “Summer Reading Race” is geared toward elementary aged kiddos, and the “Tic-Tac-Toe” is geared toward secondary aged kiddos, though both could be adapted for any age.
These free resources are for classroom or personal use only. They cannot be sold, reposted, or claimed as your own.
Story time might be the best time! Hear me out: your teacher calls you over to the rug, you sit criss-cross applesauce on your assigned circle, and you cozy in, ready to hear a story. As your teacher reads, she does different voices for each character, and suddenly the story has come alive, and you feel like you’re right there with the characters. It’s magical, and a core part of childhood.
Happiness isn’t the only benefit that comes from being read to, though it certainly is a great one! Reading out loud to kids can help them in so many ways. These include:
Boosted brain development
Stronger vocabulary
Stronger social and emotional skills
Improved listening skills and focus
Stronger bonds between the reader and the audience
Reduced stress
Boosted Brain Development
When kids are read to, different parts of the brain are activated than are when they are reading independently and silently. Listening and making sense of what is being heard creates unique neural pathways, and causes the brain to really focus on what is being said.
Stronger Vocabulary
Reading in and of itself is a great vocabulary builder, but when students are read to, it gives them a chance to hear a new word, then immediately ask for a definition. They recognize that they don’t know the word, then take initiative to figure out what it means. This new word then gets added to their “words they know” list for them to practice using as they become stronger readers.
Stronger Social and Emotional Skills
When students can relate to characters in the stories that are read to them, their social and emotional skills are strengthened. They begin to gain empathy, and can learn that there are other people who feel the same feelings they feel. Students can see different social skills in action in stories– how to be kind, how to include others, good manners, etc., and can use the stories to recognize similar situations in their own lives. True text-to-self connections are made!
Improved Listening Skills and Focus
Listening and focusing are two separate skills that must both be engaged in order for students to get the most benefit from being read to. The brain will make connections as both skills are activated, thus helping students to make sense of what they are hearing.
Stronger Bonds Between Reader and Audience
When a reader makes the story come alive by using different voices, inflections, and body language, it changes the whole atmosphere in the room. The audience is drawn into the story and becomes entranced by the magic of it. When the listeners become involved with the story, they start to form a trust and bond with the reader. Think about when you were a small child, and your favorite adult would pull you onto their lap, and you would snuggle in and listen to a story– there is a certain bond that comes through this. While teachers cannot pull all students onto their laps, they can still use literature to connect with their classes.
Reduced Stress
For some students, reading out loud to others can create feelings of stress and anxiety. They worry about messing up and saying words wrong, or if they are reading too slow or too fast. When they are read to, however, those stressors disappear. They can simply sit and listen to the story without fear of misspeaking. Even if a student isn’t bothered by reading out loud themselves, having the chance to be read to is such a calming, relaxing activity. Perhaps this is why so many adults enjoy listening to audio books!
I’m certain that there are other benefits that come from being read to, and I’m sure we could explore the above listed benefits even deeper. But the truth remains the same: reading is powerful and is incredibly beneficial to readers of all ages!
Finding books that teens and preteens will actually read and enjoy can be a little tricky sometimes. By this point in their education, many kids have lost their love for reading, which is unfortunate; reading has so many benefits! As teachers, though, we have the opportunity to help these reluctant or uninterested readers find books that they will enjoy and want to read. But with so many genres available to choose from, it can be difficult to narrow it down to something they will like. In the event that you find yourself in this position, look no further! I’ve created a list of a few book recommendations in each genre. You can see my historical fiction recommendations here, and my dystopian novel recommendations here.
Up on the docket today: Realistic Fiction! Books in this genre contain fictional characters who are placed into situations that have happened or could potentially happen. These stories could be based on true events. In this genre, we will find books about characters who are working through hard things at home, school, or with friends, characters who embark on an epic family vacation, or even characters who find themselves in the thick of illness or other hardship. Because these stories are based on real life events, students often find it easier to build a connection with the book and the characters– they can see themselves in the characters. Check out the books below and share with your students who need a good book!
Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper
Melody Brooks is an eleven year old fifth grader who happens to have cerebral palsy, which has taken away her ability to walk, write, and talk. Adults and children alike often assume she is mentally challenged because of her inability to speak or write, but that couldn’t be further from the truth! Melody is brilliant and has an incredible photographic memory– she just can’t express that to others. She is finally given a chance to use a computer device that allows her to type what she wants to say. The device then speaks for her by reading what she has written. It’s only once she is able to start communicating like this that people start to realize how smart she really is.
You May Already be a Winner by Ann Dee Ellis
Olivia and her sister, Berkeley live together with their mom in Sunny Pines Trailer Park. Olivia wants so badly to be able to leave the trailer park and find a better life for her and Berkeley. She devises a plan to enter several sweepstakes with the hope of winning a million dollars. She longs to live a “normal” life where she doesn’t have to miss school to babysit her sister, and a life free of poverty. She wants to escape from the challenges her mother faces that make life more difficult for the family. Through all of this, she makes friends with her quirky neighbor, and learns that sometimes family is who you least expect it to be. This book is a perfect combination of humor, difficult realities, and finding happiness where you are.
Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko
It’s 1935, and Moose Flanagan is twelve years old when his father takes a job as an electrician and guard at the infamous Alcatraz Prison. Moose and his family move to the island prison to begin their new life. His sister, Natalie, has autism and is admitted into a school for students with special needs. Moose befriends a girl named Piper, who also happens to be the warden’s daughter. Piper is constantly coming up with creative ways to make money with the hope of escaping the island. Her latest scheme involves using the prison inmates to do laundry for the other kids at school, and she convinces Moose to join her efforts. Their underground operation is stopped when the warden finds out, and Moose and Piper then have to find something else to fill their time. When Natalie gets kicked out of school for befriending one of the prisoners, Moose eventually enlists the help of the famous prisoner Al Capone to help get her back into the school. Choldenko continues Moose’s adventures across two more books, each equally as fun as this one.
Wonder by R.J. Palacio
This book follows Auggie Pullman, who was born with a facial difference. He wants to be treated like everyone else, and quickly finds that others can be cruel, and don’t want to be his friend. Fortunately, though, he is also able to form friendships with Jack, Will, and Summer. Auggie’s story is told from multiple perspectives, including Auggie’s, his sister Via’s, her boyfriend’s, as well as other friends. This unique story telling format gives the reader a broader picture of Auggie’s life from many points of view. Wonder is a heart warming story about kindness, acceptance, and the desire to fit in.
Counting by Sevens by Holly Goldberg Sloan
Counting by 7s is also told from multiple perspectives, bringing insight and dimension to the story. Willow Chance is a twelve year old girl who finds herself in a really hard situation– both of her adoptive parents are killed in a car crash. Willow must then figure out how to navigate grief, life, and what it means to be a family. She finds comfort in counting by 7s and plants and forms an unlikely friendship with her school counselor and a taxi driver, who both encourage her and help her figure out this new life.
Matt Sprouts and the Curse of the Ten Broken Toes by Matt Eicheldinger
Matt Sprouts is just living his ordinary life when, one day, he accidentally injures his neighbor. Soon after, he breaks one of his toes, which leads him to believe he is now cursed with “the Curse”, a made-up curse started in his hometown. The story follows him as he continues to break more toes all while navigating friendships, sibling relationships, and tough coaches. Filled with humor, this book is a fun read, and, as a bonus, includes two other books to round out the series.
Each of these books dives into different challenges or situations kids might face today. These stories connect readers to relatable characters, and allow readers to feel seen, understood, and heard.
Young teacher with books and metal key on blue background
For some teenagers, reading is a struggle, and is often the last thing on their to-do list. Kids who once used to love reading have suddenly started seeing books as a burden. Perhaps this happens because of social pressure to see reading as a “nerdy” thing, or maybe they just have less time to read because of busier schedules. Another reason– perhaps the main reason– could be because they simply cannot find a book that interests them. Finding a book or a genre that pulls them in can get tricky. As teachers, we can help our students find engaging, fun to read books to hopefully spark an interest for reading.
A few weeks ago, I wrote about dystopian novels for teens. If you need suggestions for that genre, you can click here. Today, I’ll share some great historical fiction novels.
Historical fiction books are books that place fictional characters in real historical events, places, and times. This genre can be really engaging for students who are very into history. There are historical fiction novels written about nearly every big historical event, so there is something for everyone in this genre! Keep reading to learn about a few of them.
Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor
Set in Mississippi in the 1930s, Roll of Thunder follows Cassie Logan and her family, who are African-American, as they navigate segregation, racial injustices, and the Great Depression. This book does a wonderful job of painting a picture of what it would have been like for African-American families during the 1930s. Kids of any race can connect with Cassie, who is a spunky, determined little girl.
An excellent read for ages 10+
Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys
Between Shades takes place in 1941 during WWII in Lithuania and Siberia. Lina is a 15 year old girl who is taken by Soviet officers, along with her family, to a Siberian work camp. Lina is devastated when they are taken to the camp and she is separated from her father. During her time there, Lina uses her art to secretly document her experiences at the camp. This story focuses on resilience, perseverance, and survival, and teaches powerful lessons about the strength of the human spirit.
Recommended for ages 12+
Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson
Isabel is a young slave girl, along with her sister Ruth. When their owner dies, they are sold to a Loyalist couple who mistreats them. Isabel longs for freedom for herself and her sister. Hoping to secure that freedom, Isabel becomes a spy for Patriot forces, enduring horrific mistreatment. Bravery, resilience, and determination are highlighted throughout the novel as Isabel fights for her freedom. The story is powerful and moving, reminding readers that sometimes we must push ourselves beyond what is comfortable to remove the chains that bind us.
Recommended for ages 13+. Chains is the first book in the Seeds of American trilogy.
Mississippi Trial, 1955by Chris Crowe
This heart-wrenching story follows Hiram Hillburn, a 16 year old white boy who travels to Mississippi to visit his grandpa for the summer. While there, he meets a 14 year old black boy named Emmett Till, who also happens to be visiting family for the summer. Hiram and Emmett become friends as they realize they have a lot in common. Soon, Hiram discovers just how ugly racism is when Emmett is abducted and murdered. His body is found in the river a few days later. Hiram extends his stay so that he can be present for the trial and to offer any help he can in finding justice for Emmett. While this story can be hard to read because of the graphic content, it shares a powerful perspective on the events surrounding Emmett’s death. Hiram must make a decision between keeping the peace with his grandpa or standing up for what is right.
For students who are interested in this story, Getting Away With Murder by Chris Crowe is a non-fiction book that pairs really well with it.
Recommended for ages 14+
Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse
Written in poems, Out of the Dust follows Billie Jo Kelby, a young girl living in Oklahoma in the 1930s. Billie Jo must face the realities of the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression. A fire kills her mother, and leaves Billie Jo’s hands badly scarred. She must navigate the harsh realities of life during this difficult historical time all while grieving the loss of her mother, dealing with her father’s emotional battles, and learning to play the piano again after the fire. The book is set up like a journal, with each entry being a free verse poem. Teenagers can connect with Billie Jo as she navigates the difficulties of being a teenager and facing hard things.
Recommended for ages 12+
This is just a small sampling of the amazing historical fiction books that are out there, but hopefully it can provide you with some suggestions to give to a student who is needing a little help finding a book they can get into.
Last week, I shared some fun ways to use Easter eggs in your classroom. Today I have one more idea you can use!
If you have students who are learning consonant-vowel-consonant (CVC) words, this activity would be perfect for your kiddos. Using the downloadable file below, students can practice reading and recognizing various CVC words.
There are two pages to the file: the first is the student worksheet, and the second is the teacher page. Teachers, cut out the word strips on the second page, and put each strip into an Easter egg. Give each student a set of eggs with the word strips in them. As they open each egg, they can read the word strip, then glue it on the worksheet under the corresponding picture.
This download is for personal or classroom use only. Do not resell, repost, or claim as your own.
Have you ever read a book so good you couldn’t put it down? You devoured the story line, related with the characters, and could imagine the whole plot in your mind- it was SO good. Then, a week after you finished it, your friend asks you what your favorite part of the book was or what it was about, and you are completely stumped. For the life of you, you cannot remember any details– just a simple plot summary.
I know I can’t be the only one who has had this kind of thing happen to them. I think that this happens to us as adults because of a few reasons: we’re reading through material fairly quickly, which doesn’t give our brains enough time to fully process and store what we read, we have so many other things competing for mental storage space as adults that the details of a story often get pushed out, or maybe our reading is interrupted. Perhaps one of the biggest reasons this happens is that we subconsciously know we aren’t being tested or graded on what we read like we were when we were in school, so our brains kind of filter out the smaller details, without any real effort from us. When there are higher stakes, we tend to focus on something more intently, and therefore remember more about it. In school, we often ask students to write down things about their reading– because we know it will help them retain information better.
Giving them an assignment associated with the reading makes them accountable and will help encourage more active reading. But just taking notes on a story sounds kind of boring, if I’m being honest. If we make it relatable and/or engaging, students are more likely to remember and make sense of what they read– and they are more likely to want to participate in the assignment. When students write down information, it creates a mental connection, which helps to cement information in their minds.
I’ve created two different worksheets you can print off and use. Each worksheet uniquely asks students to recall information from their reading, and does so in an engaging way. Feel free to print them off and use them with your classes. Both worksheets would be most effective for students in upper elementary grades or students in middle/junior high.
**Downloads are intended for classroom or personal use only. They are not to be sold, reposted, or claimed as your own.**
