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:
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
Themes:
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 book.
historical places nearby that relate?
Does this relate to our family history in
any way?
Music/Dance: learn new dance, music Movie/Video: Is there a movie that re-
that relates, nursery rhymes, listen to enacts this book? Make a homemade
music relating to the book, learn a new movie.
dance
Writing: book report, journalist for Related Books: seek out books that
newspaper, write a letter/card, secret relate to the topic, read other books the
code, fill in the blank, write your author has written about.
thoughts in a journal, new ending, pen
pal, rewrite new version of story

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 (multiple book approach)

Theme:

Monday Activities:

Book:

Tuesday Activities:

Book:

Wednesda Activities:
y

Book:
Thursday Activities:

Book:

Friday Activities:

Book:

Notes:
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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 A-
louds
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
• 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
• 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.)
 • Window seat
• On a blanket
outside
• In a dark room
Fun Reading Spots with a
•
flashlight
• Tent
• Couch
• Hammock
• Bed
• Treehouse/Clu
• Cereal
bhouse/Fort
Fort/Castle
• Bean bag (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
• 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)