Activities
dp n="31" folio="30" ?
Language and Literacy
Story Time
Language and Literacy
Large Group/Small Group/Individual
Intelligence: Linguistic
Preparation time: 5 minutes
Activity time: 10 minutes, or longer, as desired
Helps Children Develop
A love of books Knowledge of different literary forms Vocabulary
Materials
any age-appropriate book
What to Do
1. Invite the children to sit with you.
2. Introduce the book by telling the children the title and the authorâs name. Then show the children the book.
3. Tell the children what the story is about. If there is something in particular you would like them to listen for or pay attention to as you read the book, mention it now.
4. Read the story aloud. Sit so you can show the children illustrations as you read.
Extenders
Ask the children open-ended questions during the story. For example, after reading a few pages of a book, pause and ask, âWhat do you think will happen next?â
If the story you have chosen has repetitive text or includes obvious rhymes, encourage the children to âreadâ along with you.
Invite conversation after the story by asking more open-ended questions, for example: âDoes this book remind you of an experience you have had? Does it remind you of another book youâve read? Did anything in the story surprise you?â
dp n="32" folio="31" ? General Tips for Reading to Children
What Is It All About?
Always pre-read any story you plan on reading with the children. Think about what aspect of the book you would like to focus on (for example, introducing the children to a theme, a particular character, a setting or a situation). Explain what the story is about and ask the children what they know about that topic. Have a brief discussion to encourage conversation and focus the childrenâs attention on the aspect of the story you feel is most important.
Intelligence: Linguistic
Guess What Comes Next
As you are reading a story, invite the children to think about what might happen next. What clues can children use to make their guesses? After reading a book, engage the children in a discussion about elements of the story that surprised them. Intelligences: Linguistic, Logical/Mathematical
Tell Me About It
After you read with the children, invite them to retell the story or talk about the book. Intelligences: Linguistic, Logical/Mathematical
Making Connections
After reading a story, invite the children to link the story to their own lives. Ask questions such as, âHas anything like that ever happened to you?â âIf you were ______ what would you do?â or âCan you think of a time when you felt the same way as the character in this story?â Intelligences: Linguistic, Intrapersonal
Take a Closer Look
Look carefully at the illustrations. Point out and talk about the details, people, and objects pictured. Introduce new vocabulary when necessary. Intelligences: Linguistic, Spatial
Focus on Text
Help the children realize that the words you are saying come from the printed tex...