In first grade, your child starts the great adventure of learning to read whole books. In this activity, support him in building good reading habits by helping him make and illustrate a bookmark with his favorite story scene. Not only will you get to enhance his reading comprehension by discussing what makes his favorite book special, but you will also be creating a wonderful aid that will accompany him as he reads more and more!
What You Need:
- Cardboard or recycled cardboard from a cereal box
- Markers
- Stickers
- Glue
- Glitter
- Paint
- Ribbon
- Scissors
- Ruler
- Any fun art supplies your child likes
What to Do:
- Measure out a strip of cardboard to the size 2” x 6”. If you like, this is a great opportunity for your child to practice his measuring skills with a ruler.
- Cut the cardboard bookmark template strip out.
- Pick one of your child's favorite stories and use it as the focus of the artwork for the bookmark. Discuss the book with your child and have him tell you in his own words what the book is about, his favorite scene in the book, and why he likes that scene. Talking about the books you read with your child is valuable and helps improve reading comprehension.
- After discussing, help him sketch his favorite scene onto the bookmark. It would be good to draw the scene in pencil first to make sure all his ideas are incorporated. Remember to use both sides of the card, and leave room for add-ons like stickers, glitter, or ribbon.
- Use the various art supplies to draw, color, paint, stick, and help your child re-create the scene from the book.
- Presto! Once dry, your child has a new bookmark to use for future reading fun. You can laminate the bookmark to make sure it stays intact.
This bookmark is a wonderful reading tool for your child and makes a great gift for cousins, friends, grandparents, teachers, or anyone who likes to read.
By Alicia Danyali
Alicia Danyali, B.S. Elementary Education, taught primary-level students for four years at the International School of Amsterdam, The Netherlands. The last four years of her teaching career, she taught at the Washington International School in Washington, D.C. She recently completed writing a series of children's picture books and is a mother of one young son.
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