Activity
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!
Grade
Subject
Thank you for your input.
What You Need:
- White paper (construction paper or computer printer paper)
- Scissors
- Markers
What You Do:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
What's going on? This year, students make an important leap from "learning to read" to "reading to learn." As their books become tougher, they can also have a hard time following key information. The Book Square is a way for your child to keep track of it all, and to get past initial frustrations with difficult text.
Related learning resources
The Big Book of Book Reports
Workbook
The Big Book of Book Reports
Make book reports a breeze with this workbook that contains plenty of pages for kids to thoroughly investigate and write about a book.
3rd grade
Reading & Writing
Workbook
Book Characters
Worksheet
Book Characters
If your child is writing their first book report, help them get a handle on the characters in their book.
3rd grade
Reading & Writing
Worksheet
Book Setting
Worksheet
Book Setting
If your child is doing a book report, help her learn more about the setting of her book with this worksheet.
3rd grade
Reading & Writing
Worksheet
Book or Character Mind Map
Worksheet
Book or Character Mind Map
During or after reading a fictional book, help your learner put their thoughts onto paper with this book or character mind map!
3rd grade
Reading & Writing
Worksheet
Book Casting Call
Worksheet
Book Casting Call
Assemble your favorite actors and find the perfect parts for them in your summer reading book.
5th grade
Reading & Writing
Worksheet
Picture Book Pumpkin Creations
Activity
Picture Book Pumpkin Creations
In this fun fall-themed activity, your child will design and decorate a pumpkin based on a picture book.
3rd grade
Reading & Writing
Activity
Make a Timeline of an Influential Person
Activity
Make a Timeline of an Influential Person
Children research and make a timeline of an inspiring woman in this biography activity.
2nd grade
Reading & Writing
Activity
Make Nonsense
Worksheet
Make Nonsense
Let's make some nonsense! Using "Jabberwocky" by Lewis Carroll, a poem famous for its otherworldly wacky words, your child makes his own nonsense.
3rd grade
Reading & Writing
Worksheet
Rapunzel Mini Book
Worksheet
Rapunzel Mini Book
...Add some creativity to the mix with drawing and coloring, then cut out the panels to make a perfectly portable mini book....
3rd grade
Reading & Writing
Worksheet
Rock Painting: Retell a Story
Activity
Rock Painting: Retell a Story
Children will read a book, then retell the story with pictures they have painted on stones.
kindergarten
Reading & Writing
Activity
Make a Summary: Butterflies
Worksheet
Make a Summary: Butterflies
Your students will work together to find new vocabulary words and create a short summary of a nonfiction text related to the butterfly life cycle.
2nd grade
Reading & Writing
Worksheet
Make That Dialogue Pop!
Worksheet
Make That Dialogue Pop!
Students practice both correctly punctuating dialogue and adding details to make their writing pop!
1st grade
Reading & Writing
Worksheet
See this activity in a set:
3rd Grade Writing Practice