Tips
Language Arts ( reading, writing, grammar, spelling, punctuation, vocabulary)
Everyone KNOWS that the more kids read, the better
they get at it, and the more they like it! We all enjoy
things we are good at more than things we struggle
to do. Summer is a wonderful time to slow down and
read for pleasure since there aren’t any homework
papers to worry about!
� Part of good reading comprehension is the ability to imagine in the mind’s eye what the
author is describing.This is why the transition to “picture free” books actually enhances
comprehension. “Mind’s Eye” is an easy game you can play anywhere! Tell your kids you
are imagining something, for example a cow. Then ask your children to close their eyes and
“see” a cow. Have them describe the cow they imagined. What color was it? Did it have
horns? A bell? Was it in a field or a barn or somewhere else? Was it alone? Children will
begin to associate details of a description with a clearer picture and get practice with
running images in their head which is exactly what happens when we read. This game will
increase reading comprehension and descriptive writing abilities!
� Get writing practice by sending postcards home to relatives written by the kids! Kids can
describe their summer adventures. Discuss greeting, body andclosing.
� Reading, spelling, and vocabulary all benefit when kids know theirAffixes. Make a memory
card game with prefixes and suffixes. Identify meanings before turning over cards. Guess
meanings of new words with affixes.
� Have your child read YOU a bedtime story. Record one for grandparents back home!
� Offer to rent a book based movie after a child has read the book. Family night fun!
� Become a Pen Pal to someone back home or anywhere !
� Host a weekly game night! Scrabble, Boggle,Wheel of Fortune, allthese games enhance
spelling and vocabulary skills.
� Watch a foreign movie and read the subtitles; Reading plus learning another language and
culture in one fell swoop!
� Here’s a neat trick that will turn your child into a regular night reader. This is especially great for
independent readers. For the reluctant sleeper or reader, offer two bedtimes: #1: In bed and
lights out #2: In bed and reading with lights out a half hour later than option #1. It will
create a regular reading habit and kids will even view reading as a reward or privilege.
� Have your kids see YOU read. Children model what they see! Hang out on the couch or
lawn chairs with your child and enjoy some quiet parallel reading time!
� Consider using audio books during long trips, while doing household chores. These can
make the time fly and get kids used to being engaged in a story. FMWR libraries offer
audio books for free!