Make a Book Square!

If your third grader is having difficulty sequencing events in a story, try creating this book square. It's a fun way to highlight important story details and put them in a logical order. She can even use the Book Square as a bookmark, and add information to it as she reads!

What You Need:

White paper (construction paper or computer printer paper)

What You Do:

Step 1: Create the Book Square

Cut an 8 1/2” square out of construction or printer paper. Fold the paper in fourths and open it. Then fold in each corner toward the center. Write the numbers 1 through 4 on the outside of the flaps. Open the square. In the center, write the title of the book and a sentence describing the main idea of the book.

Step 2: While your child is reading the story

During reading, ask your child to stop at the end of a chapter or an appropriate place where a main idea is shared. One way to sequence is to have her think about the “beginning, middle, and end.” Under flap #1 of the book square, she should write an important event that happens in the beginning of the story. Under flaps #2 and #3, have her write important events that happen in the middle of the story. Under flap #4, have her write important events that happen at the end of the story.

Step 3: When your child is finished reading

Your child did a lot of work creating the Book Square and filling in all the details! Have her share it with someone such as a friend, grandparent, or teacher.