Category — Reading Activities

Make a Caterpillar Story

MeganDownload Hungry Caterpillar
Read The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle. It’s a story about a tiny caterpillar who eats and eats until he becomes a big, fat caterpillar. He builds a small house around himself and after two weeks, he becomes a beautiful butterfly. When you’re finished let your grandchildren write their own “hungry caterpillar” story using the caterpillar pattern. Download the pattern and cut out the two sections of circles. Glue them on a piece of paper to form a caterpillar. Write the story on each section. Add eyes, feet and antennae.

March 29, 2010   No Comments

Memoirs Made Easy

Child writing grandma lizzies house
Everyone has a story to tell. Help your child develop their writing skills while telling about their life.
How to get started:
1. Make a “memory chart” by dividing a sheet of paper into three columns: people, places, activities.
2. Using the chart write a memory to go with each person, place or activity.
3. Organize the information. It can be done sequentially by months or seasons of the year.
I read about this idea in the Home & School Connection sent out by Granite School District each month.

January 14, 2010   No Comments

Snowman Spelling Game

snowman animated
This is a fun and easy activity that can be played almost anywhere. It helps your grandchildren with their SPELLING. It’s a version of “hangman”. Using a pencil draw a snowman on paper. Be sure to include the eyes, nose, mouth, hat, and scarf. Think of a word and write one blank per letter. Have your grandchild begin guessing letters. For each incorrect guess, erase one part of the snowman. Can your grandchild figure out the word before the snowman melts. I found this idea in the Home & School Connection newsletter that Granite School District sends out monthly.

January 8, 2010   No Comments

Make An Alphabet Book

Alphabet BookYour child or grandchild can make an alphabet book. It’s as easy a ABC. Just download the the letters, color and make into a book. You could even just print the letters in your child’s name and display on their wall or door.
Download Alphabet Pages

September 11, 2009   No Comments

Movement Patterning Game

Grandma Lizzies House Movement Patterning Game 002This easy activity can help children with patterning, rhythm, coordination, reading, spelling. Boy, that’s a lot for something so simple.
Directions:
1. Print & cutout the activity cards (at least 3 copies).
2. Arrange the cards across the floor in any order creating a pattern.
3. Turn on some music or sing a familiar song while doing each movement in order. Each movement can be 2, 3, or 4 counts depending on the music.
There are so many variations, you could even do 2 together. I left one blank card so your grandchild could create their own movement.
Download Movement Patterning Activity

August 24, 2009   No Comments

Dear Mrs. LaRue by Mark Teague

grandma lizzies house Dear Mrs. LaRue
This is a humorous story written from the perspective of a dog that is sent to obedience school by his owner Mrs. LaRue. He writes letters to her each day trying to convince her that he needs to come home. The illustrations show that he is really living the life of luxury but he tells things in a different way. This is a great book for ages 5-12yrs.
When you are finished reading the book to your child or grandchild, they can practice writing a letter.
Letter writing ideas:
Pretend you are a pet and write about something funny that happened
Pretend you are the pet’s owner and write about the same funny thing
Write to the author of the book and tell he what you liked
Write to whomever read you the story and tell them how you would change the ending
Write to a friend and tell them about something secial you have done

August 13, 2009   2 Comments

Back to School Word Search

August 6, 2009   4 Comments

Two Bad Ants by Chris Van Allsburg

This is a great book for ages 4-12 years. It’s written from the perspective of two ants who are searching for food. They end up in a kitchen where they encounter lots of trouble in a toaster, a garbage disposal and an electrical outlet.
The illustrations are fantastic. It’s sure to be a favorite. Two Bad Ants Grandma Lizzies House
Writing & Reading Activity
When you’re grandchild or child has finished the book they can write their own story. Pick a creature such as a bug or spider and a room in your home and let the adventure begin. If your child is to young to write, you write the story as they tell it and let them do the illustrations. Then they can read it back to you.

July 22, 2009   No Comments

Interesting Turkey Facts

November 22, 2008   No Comments

Paper Sack Journal

This is a unique and fun way for your grandchildren to keep up on their writing skills while camping or traveling. They can keep postcards, brochures or other items in the paper sack and write or draw about their adventures.
You’ll need: lunch size paper sacks, staples or tape, and markers or crayons.
Directions: Just staple or tape together the closed end of as many lunch sacks as you think you’ll use then begin your journal.

August 1, 2008   1 Comment