Category — Reading Activities

Download Directions for House All you need is a rectangle shape piece of paper and a pencil. You can make your house as large or as small as you like depending on the size of paper. Have your child fold the paper into a house. They may need your help. Read a story about families or traditions and inside the house, have your child write or draw pictures about a special family activity or tradition. Stand it up to display. You can also use stickers that represent a family activity or tradition.

Because I love to read, I enjoy giving books to my grandchildren that we can read together. It’s always magical to share a story for the first time.  When I’m spending the day with them we sometimes go to the library and gather lots of books to take home. We throw pillows and blankets on the floor and just enjoy reading the books together. Often we don’t finish one book before we go onto the next. Sometimes we read the same book many times. Reading with your grandchildren not only helps them develop a love for reading but sharing a book together brings a closeness and creates a memory.

Download Three Bears
Read or tell the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears then using the free patterns, have your grandchild write their own version of the three bears story.

Download the Gold Watch pattern and write special memories of a loved one who has past on. Attach a photograph if one is available. Invite your grandchildren over for a special night to share memories. It might be fun to include some characteristics your loved one had that you recognize in your grandchildren. What a great way for them to connect with their ancestors and it would become a special keepsake. If your grandchildren aren’t close enough to invite over you can send it in the mail.

You could share the book Grandfather’s Gold Watch as part of your special time together. It’s the story of  twelve-year-old Peter who receives a gift from his grandfather as he bids farewell to Denmark and sails with his family to America. It is a beautiful gold watch. His grandfather tells him the watch will remind him to ask himself, what have I done with my name? What have I done with my time? His grandfather’s words stay with him his whole life and keep him connected to his family.

Materials: Sandwich bag, a piece of paper the size of the sandwich bag, a variety of items you might normally throw away or recycle (magazines, colored paper scraps, wrapping paper, ribbon, yarn, sequins, etc.).
Directions:
1. Create a picture with recyclable items and glue on one side of the paper.
2. Write a short story or poem on the opposite side of the picture. If your grandchild isn’t writing yet have them tell you what to write and they can sign their name.
3. Slide the paper in the sandwich bag. The items from the picture won’t get lost and your grandchild with have the picture and the story they created together.

Variation: You can use a photograph of a special event or a post card from a vacation and write about it. The sandwich bag will keep it protected.

Grandparents can help their grandchildren learn to read or become better readers by:
1. Having books available when they come to visit and encouraging them to explore books.
2. Reading together and talking about what you’re reading.
3. Make reading a pleasure and show enthusiasm as you read together.
These ideas came from the Michigan Department of Education.

Download Accordion Fold Card & Book
There are so many great Valentine books to read to your grandchildren. Some that my grandchildren have enjoyed are The Valentine Bears by Eve Bunting, Little Bear’s Valentine by Maurice Sendak, and Max’s Valentine by Rosemary Wells.
When you’re finished reading together you can make an accordion folded Valentine card.
Directions:
1. Print out the pattern on white or colored paper.
2. Cut out the strips only along the outside edges.
3. Tape or glue the 2 strips together and fold along the vertical lines accordion style.
4. Write a special Valentine message or story to give to someone.
5. Put it in an envelope or tie together with a ribbon.

Download Story Pyramid
Print out the Story Pyramid template with the lines and write a story with your grandchild about any event you shared together this past year. It could be about a birthday celebration, a holiday, a vacation, or a visit to a museum or park. If you are not able to be with your grandchild, each of you write about the same event then exchange them. It will be fun to compare. You can also print out a blank pyramid for younger children to draw pictures of the event. Be sure to have them tell you about each picture.

Download December Holiday Words Activity

Download the Turkey Category Game
Number of Players: 2 or more
Each player needs a Turkey Category Sheet and a pencil.
The object of the game is to get the most words in each column that begin with the letter.
Playing the Game:
1. Decide on one category (fruits, vegetables, names, colors, states, cities, countries, holiday things).
Choose categories that are appropriate to the ages of the players.
2. Set a time period for each column (1-3 minutes depending on the ages of those playing).
3. Each player writes as many words as they can think of that begin with the letter in the column.
4. When time is up, taking turns, each player reads their list. If any other player has the same word all players that have that word cross it off their list.
5. The player with the most words left in their columns is the winner.
6. You can do all the columns at the same time or separate depending on the ages of those playing.

Example: Category – Countries
T – Turkey, U – United States, R – Russia, K – Korea, E – Ethiopia, Y – Yemen

Download the Acrostic Poem
Write an acrostic poem about Halloween. Download an example then use your imagination to create your own.