Free Home Schooling
Reading Resources
Reading Resources
Naturally, one thinks of the
library when considering free reading resources. But other
resources exist besides books; in fact, you probably have many
within easy reach.
Recipes
These make fun reading, especially when your child gets to help
prepare the food! Let your child flip through old recipe
collections looking for tomorrow night’s supper. He’ll have a
blast and practice reading.
Sales Flyers
Our Sunday newspaper is full of them. Your child can read
through these and help you make “centsible” grocery purchases.
Magazines
These can pile up in a hurry. But if your child has a hobby,
magazines can provide hours of reading for information and
pleasure. You can find a magazine for just about any hobby you
can think of!
Labels on Jars, Boxes, Clothing
Here’s a real-life reading experience with free reading
resources that can easily be overlooked! When cooking, ask your
child questions about an ingredient. For example, What are the
first three ingredients in this product? How many servings are
in this package? Which company made it? Where could you write or
call if you had a question about the product?
When shopping for clothing, let your child help read the labels.
Several new vocabulary words can be gleaned from these labels.
One activity my students loved was checking the labels in each
others’ shirts to see how many people had one ‘Made in China”.
Telephone Books
Using a telephone book can help teach alphabetical order, and
the skill of looking up a person’s last name first to find out
information. Looking up the numbers of friends and family
members is a fun activity. The yellow pages are also chock full
of info. Show your child how to use this resource. She’ll feel
quite grown up!
As a spin-off activity, your child can make his own address book
with names, addresses, phone numbers, and birthdates. This book
will be used over and over.
Menus
When eating out, have your child read the menu with you. The
words become quite meaningful when one is hungry!
Newspapers
The various sections can be explored, and selected articles read
for interest and info. A related activity would be making a
family newsletter to send to extended family members. Children
love reading what they have written!
Directions to Games
While these are often written in a manner requiring you to read
and re-read them, that’s part of real life. Your child will
learn that sometimes steps have to be read a number of times
before they begin to fit together in a sensible way.
Assembly Directions
Check out a few how-to books at the library. When you child
finds a fun project, have her read and follow the directions.
Homemade Books
These are easy and fun for children of all ages! Younger
children can make a book of words they know, like names of
family members, road sign words, etc. Nature journals combine
writing and reflection as they are re-visited. Sketches of
flowers, birds, plants, trees can be made and labeled.
You can transcribe your child’s words (if she is too young to
write) as she describes the day’s events, a fun time at
Grandma’s, etc. Then make a booklet to read together. Children
are fascinated that their words are important and can be read.
Photos or drawings can be added. One thing is for sure – these
homemade booklets will be read dozens of times, and perhaps kept
for future generations!
Here's a list of questions to help increase your child's reading
comprehension.
Reading Comprehension Questions and
Activities
If you are looking for a resource to teach your child to read or
to help struggling readers, try Reading Rescue
by Peggy Wilbur. Another teacher recommended it to me, and I
have used it successfully with my students.
© 2007 Home School Helper