LITERATE

READ A BOOK
  • ​Overdrive (& it's sister app, Libby) allows you to borrow ebooks and audiobooks from your local library for free.
  • Many, many authors are reading their books online these days. See here for a list of all of them, divided by age (although this is just a guideline. Remember, big kids like picture books too!).
  • Check out Read Aloud Revival for book recommendations & tips on creating a read aloud habit in your household.
  • ReadWorks & Newsela offer high quality non-fiction texts at a wide variety of reading levels, often with audio support. Both websites also allow you to change the readability level to suit your student - great if you want the whole family to read the same article!
  • Epic has a great selection of high quality books in multiple languages (English, French & Spanish) for kids 12 and under. It's easy for them to navigate and has read myself or read to me options.
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LISTEN TO AN AUDIOBOOK OR PODCAST
  • Audible has created a free collection of audiobooks for kids as long as schools are closed. I love that books on Audible are read by amazing voices.
  • Check out this comprehensive collection of podcasts for kids. Listen together or set them up to listen on their own & chat about it later.
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WRITE A STORY, LETTER, POEM OR EMAIL
Writing works best when it has a meaningful purpose.
  • Write/draw a story. Try these prompts or these video prompts if your child is having trouble coming up with ideas. There are even more here and here.
  • Write a letter or email to a grandparent/aunt/uncle/friend telling them what you have been up to this week. Include a funny drawing or joke!
  • Poetry has many benefits when it comes to learning language. Read (or listen to!) a book from this list, then try to write your own rhyming book.
  • Looking for a more structured approach to writing? Try No Red Ink or any of the tools listed here. 
  • Want your child to practice their spelling? Try Magic Spell or Vocabulary Spelling City.
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PLAY WITH WORDS
  • This is a great resource for ways to build your child's early literacy skills.
  • Older kids need to play with words too! Riddles, jokes and rhymes all help to focus our attention on the rhythm and nuance of language. Games like Scrabble, Boggle, Hangman and more are fantastic. Bonus? Most can also be found in app form.
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