A. Spend a substantial amount of time engaged in daily reading activities using a variety of strategies (reading to, with, and by)

Maurice Sendak: Imagination and Art
Read books written and/or illustrated by Maurice Sendak and write a class book based on one of his stories.

First-Day-of-School Activity: The Kissing Hand
Students will need to use their listening skills to follow directions and make decisions while overcoming first day of school jitters.

Aesop Appeals to Me
Students will enjoy listening to and enjoying activities using Aesop Fables.

Christmas Trolls Lesson Plan
Students read a wide range of print and non-print texts to build an understanding of texts, of themselves, and of the cultures of the United States and the world; to acquire new information; and for personal fulfillment.
 

Books Are Best
Children will share books, opinions, and ideas with this "my favorite book" project.
 

Resources:

Lil' Fingers Storybooks:  A good selection of simple stories for reading in the classroom

Peter Rabbit:  Five Beatrix Potter stories to read and listen to online.

Balanced Literacy:  Teaching the Skills AND Thrills of Reading:  This is an article that focuses on common concerns and practical strategies for implementing a truly balanced literacy program.

TEACHER WORKSHOP: Bring literature to life through reading
Have you ever wondered how to get your students to read a variety of different types of
literature? Or have you not been able to find the time to fit in a meaningful read aloud
where you have student “buy-in”? Have you struggled to know how to incorporate more
nonfiction reading to support your Science and History/Geography content? Have you
been wondering how to incorporate Reader’s Theater and perhaps how to put on a school
play? Come find answers to these questions from teachers who have risked everything to
bring literature to life through reading. The engaging strategies in this workshop will
give fellow teachers additional ideas and teaching strategies they may implement the
moment they return to their classroom.

Read, Click and Win with Book Adventure!  This site creates personalized lists of books on the reader's level.

Celebrate Reading!

Every teacher knows that students should read at home for 20 minutes every night. This unit will
set up a reading program that encourages daily reading at home, giving parents specific tasks and
strategies they can use to support their children, differentiated by reading level, with full
accountability for the teacher and incentives for the students. Once established, this program
continues throughout the school year; the teacher just checks folders once a week and tracks
progress on a bulletin board display.

Carol Hurst's Children's Literature Site:  Book reviews for Kindergarten

Learning to Read

You’ll find a little theory and a lot of practice in our reading corner. Look for ideas from experts as to how to make reading part of everyday life. Find tips on recognizing the common stages in learning to read, and what to do if an obstacle gets in the way.

Suggestions for English Language Learners (ELLs):
(E/B=Entering/Beginning, D=Developing, E=Expanding)

E/B: Identify key characters and setting through gesturing or with key words or phrases when given an oral prompt.
E/B: Represent key characters, setting, and main events nonverbally (i.e. pictures or gestures) or with one-or-two word responses.
E/B: Identify different types of everyday print materials (i.e. books, signs, newspapers) through gestures or one-or-two word responses; D: Describe with simple sentences the differences between types of everyday print materials (i.e. books, signs, newspapers); E: Describe with sentences the differences between types of everyday print materials (i.e. books, signs, newspapers).
E/B: Respond to simple questions about character and setting nonverbally (i.e. pictures and gestures) or with one-or-two word responses or simple words and phrases; D: Respond to questions about characters, setting, and main events with spoken words, phrases, and simple sentences.
E/B: Describe key characters, setting, and main events pictorially and with key words or phrases; D: Describe key characters, setting, and main events with spoken words, phrases, and simple sentences; E: Describe key characters, setting, and main events with spoken words, phrases, and moderately complex sentences.
E/B: Distinguish between fantasy and reality with simple words or phrases; D: Identify difference between fantasy and reality with spoken words, phrases, and simple sentences; E: Compare fantasy and reality and support with evidence from given book with sentences.

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