3rd & 4th Class: Literacy

Suggestions to Reinforce Literacy Skills at Home

• Library Visits

1. Regular library visits are great for encouraging reading for enjoyment.

2. You could ask your librarian to recommend hi-lo readers (high interest texts suitable for independent reading). Consider also non-fiction books.
   
   
   

• Summer Stars Reading Programme

Information on the Summer Stars reading programme for children can be found by following this link: 

https://www.librariesireland.ie/services/right-to-read/summer-stars

• Other Useful Websites

1. epic.com 

2. borrowbox.com are also great reading resources

3. https://www.readworks.org/ have excellent comprehension resources

4. https://www.storylineonline.net/

5. https://www.topmarks.co.uk

• Family DEAR time 

1. 1. 1. (Drop Everything And Read). How about 10 or 15 minutes a day of quiet reading time for everyone? If it happens around the same time every day, it soon becomes a powerful, positive routine. Paired reading together could be part of DEAR time.

      2. Try  shared and/or paired reading for the more challenging books. This allows your child a chance to read aloud and gives you the opportunity to model good reading.

      3. Chat about the books after reading.

• Graphic Novels and Comics

Consider alternative forms of reading e.g., graphic novels or comics. 

• Audiobooks and eAudiobooks

These are great for vocabulary development. Your child could have the book and follow the text while listening

• Cosy Corner

You might like to create a cosy area especially for reading.

• Games

1. Scrabble, Boggle, Pictionary are a fun way to reinforce literacy skills.

2. Also, Dobble and Rory’s Story Cubes 

• Journaling:

Encourage your child to keep a Summer scrap-book or journal. A gratitude journal listing the good things each day can be a lovely record of the summer and a good way to practice positive thinking. If you are looking for journal prompts try 52 journal prompts for kids at waterford.org/blog/journal-prompts-for-kids/

• Writing Activities:

1. Fighting words has creative writing tips for young writers and also runs Summer workshops in creative writing. 

https://www.fightingwords.ie/

2. The 100 Word Challenge is another excellent website for short snappy writing activities.

https://100wc.net/

• Pen Pals:

Your child might enjoy a pen-pal or email exchange with a friend or relative who lives at a distance.

• Other ideas:

1. 1. 1. Book Club or Book Exchange 

      2. Meet with family or friends to talk about recent reads and recommend or swop new titles.