Reading (ELA) Toolkit

"I Can Statements" below each grade level will correspond with your student(s) report card.

Select Grade Below

If you are unable to print any of the resources, please reach out to your child's school via the teacher and they will print them for you.

Boy and girl reading on a two person slide

I can ask and answer questions as who, what, where, when, why and how to demonstrate understanding of key details in a text. (2.1.1.1)

What is Comprehension?

Reading comprehension refers to the ability to understand what one reads. It is the ultimate goal of reading instruction. (Definition from University of Oregon)
In grade 2 readers are able to demonstrate knowledge of what they read. This may include sharing specific information on characters, describing important events from the book, and/or accurately acting out a text.

What Does it Look Like?

youtube.com: The ABCs of Active Reading. Learn how to actively read with children.

As a parent you can...

Think Aloud: Make connections while reading to or with the child. Connect the story or information to the child's life experiences. Connect the book to other books the child has read. Connect the book to big ideas and lessons.
Think Aloud.pdf

Check for Understanding: Ask questions to determine the child's understanding of the story or information read. Questions can be asked during reading and/or after reading.
Watch: Check for understanding on youtube.com

Comprehension Questions: Ask comprehension questions after reading a book. Access a bookmark with comprehension questions here.
bookmark.pdf

Online Practice:

Storyline Online: This resource provides access to many illustrated read alouds narrated by famous individuals. Use the ABCs of Reading (ask questions, build vocabulary, and connect to the child's world) as you listen to the story with your child.

Read and Answer Questions: This resource provides access to informational text and stories with comprehension questions.

Watch Story Elements: This Classroom Connect lesson teaches children how to identify story elements.
Extension Activity.pdf

I can recount the main events in a story I read. (2.1.2.2)

What is Comprehension?

What Does it Look Like?

youtube.com: The ABCs of Active Reading. Learn how to actively read with children.

As a parent you can...

Story Charades: Act out a story silently to retell it in a creative way. Have the child guess which story you are acting out. Take turns acting out and guessing.

Retell Ring: Use cards on the Retell Ring to ask the child a series of questions after reading.
RetellRingCards.pdf

Online Practice:

I can apply grade level phonics skills to read words. (2.3.0.3)

What does this look like?

youtube.com: What is Phonics? Why is it Important for My Child to Read?

As a parent you can...

Building Multisyllabic Words: Write multiple one-syllable words. Have the child put two of the words together to create a new, multisyllabic word. Watch Building Multisyllabic Words.

Prefixes and Suffixes: While reading with the child, pause when you come to a word that has a prefix and/or suffix. Take time to discuss the word by breaking down the word's meaning based on the prefix and/or suffix. Prefixes and Suffixes (optional)

Rainbow Word: Write a word for the child. Have the child write the same word using different colored utensils (e.g., marker, colored pencil, crayon) and using the key below to mark spelling patterns. Rainbow Words example

Red- Consonant
Blue- Vowel
Orange- Digraph: two letters that make one sound (e.g., sh, ch, th, wh, ph, ck, ng)
Green- Bossy or Silent e: an e at the end of a word that is silent and makes the vowel say its name (e.g., kite, cake, broke)
Purple- Vowel Teams (e.g., ee, ei, ie, ea, ie, ou, oi, oy, ai, ay, oa, ow, ue)
Brown- R Controlled Vowels (e.g., ir, ur, er, or, ar)

Short and Long Vowel Sound Sort: Practice long and short vowel sounds by sorting. Short and Long Vowel Sound Sort

Spell and Sort with Vowel Digraphs: Use this sorting activity to identify vowel digraphs. Access printable materials for ai, ay, ea, ee, oa, ow, and ui here. Spell and Sort with Vowel Digraphs

Vowel Digraphs: Play this baseball themed game to practice reading words with vowel digraphs (ea, oa, ai, ay, and oo). Vowel Digraphs

Blend Syllables in Words: Play this game by pulling two cards, each having a one syllable word. If the syllables combine to make a new word, write the new word. Blend Syllables in Words

Create New Words: Combine base words, prefixes, and suffixes to create new words. Create New Words

Affix Hunt: Use this activity to support the child's recognition of affixes (prefixes and suffixes). Affix Hunt

Online Practice:

Short and Long Vowels: This game allows children to sort words into long and short vowel categories. Play this similar game for more words to sort.

Multisyllabic Words: This game allows children to match open and closed syllables to build a new word with game cards. This similar game allows children to match open and closed syllables as well. Syllable Types (optional)

Prefixes and Suffixes: This game allows children to whack a mole based on prefix or suffix.

I can fluently read grade level text. (2.3.0.4)

What is Fluency?

Fluency is the ability to read accurately with reasonable speed and expression while understanding what is read.

In grade 2, readers should be able to read the same way that they talk, easily using expression and accurate language.

As a parents you can...

Echo Reading: Model expression while reading to the child. Then, have the child read the same sentence or phrase fluently. Watch Echo Reading.

Two to Read: Take turns reading a sentence, paragraph, or page at a time while listening to each other.

Coach to Fluent Reading: Draw attention to punctuation while reading and have the child reread to increase fluency after discussing the punctuation. Watch Coach to Fluent Reading.

Self-Correct: Give the child time to work through challenging words and self-correct. Watch Self-Correct

Word Family Zoom: Time the child reading words grouped by word family. Record how long it takes each time with a goal to increase speed and accuracy.
Word Family Zoom.pdf

Online Activities

Models of Fluent Reading: This resource provides access to many illustrated read alouds narrated by famous individuals. These stories provide children with models of fluent reading.

Echo Reading: This resource provides books to practice echo reading with your child to build fluency. Each book has a speaker symbol at the bottom of the page. Push the speaker for the child to hear the page read aloud. Then, have the child echo the reading to practice reading with expression as if they were talking to someone.

Grade 3

I can ask and answer questions about a story. (3.1.1.1)

As a parent you can...

Before, During, and After: Engage before reading a book to the child by making a prediction about the book, reading the blurb on the back, or connecting the topic of the book to something familiar to the child. During reading, make personal connections, predict what will happen next, or discuss characters and/or emotions. After reading, talk about favorite parts of the story and your opinions.
Before During After Reading .pdf

Online Practice

pbslearningmedia.com: Question Cube: This game provides a short story to read. Click the question cube and answer the question based on the story.

RoomRecess.com: Main Idea Millionaire: Find the sentence that does not fit with the main idea of the paragraph.

I can look back at the text to find my answers. (3.2.1.1)

As a parent you can...

Just the Facts: Support the child as they read informational text. Look for facts about the topic. Children are expected to refer to the text to support what they have read about the topic.
Just the Facts .pdf

Online Practice:

I can tell the difference between the literal meaning or the non-literal meaning of a word or phrase. (figurative language) (3.1.4.4)

As a parent you can...

Extreme Words: Explore the relationships between descriptive words. Talk about the provided words and their meaning to determine the order (e.g., giggle, chuckle, whimper, cry).
Extreme Words .pdf

Synonym-Antonym Connections: Use the cards included to help the child identify synonyms and antonyms. Synonyms have similar meaning and antonyms have opposite meanings.
Synonym-Antonym Connections .pdf

Homograph Hitch: Match words that sound the same but have different meanings with the cards provided.
Homograph Hitch .pdf

Oh My Word!: Have the child write simple explanations, sentences, and synonyms of words in this activity.
Oh My Word .pdf

Online Practice:

By the end of the year, I can read and comprehend grade level fiction text. (3.1.10.10)

As a parent you can...

Check-ins: Stop every few pages to “check-in" while the child is reading or as you are reading together. This is one way to know if the child is understanding what is being read or heard. Use open-ended questions to gauge their understanding (e.g., “What are your thoughts about this part of the story?”, “How do you know?”, “What do you think might happen next?”). You can vary how frequently you check-in based on how well your child is understanding the text. For more challenging texts, check-in more frequently.

Online Practice:

By the end of the year, I can read and comprehend grade level non-fiction text. (3.2.10.10)

As a parent you can...

Online Practice

I can identify the main idea. I can identify details that support the main idea. (3.2.2.2)

As a parent you can...

Five Finger Retell: Retell a story with the child, having each finger represent a story element. Your thumb is the characters, pointer finger is the setting (where the story took place), middle finger is the beginning, ring finger is the middle events, and pinkie is the solution ending. After the child retells, ask them their favorite part of the story.

Family Book Club: Encourage different family members to pick the book. Discuss the main ideas, plots, characters, and personal opinions about the book together. This is a great way to enjoy quality family time while experiencing the joy of reading together.

Online Practice:

I can fluently read 3rd grade level text. (3.3.0.4)

As a parent you can...

Choral Reading: Practice reading the same text aloud chorally (together and in unison) with the child.

Echo Reading: Model expression while reading to the child. Then, have the child read the same sentence or phrase fluently.
Watch Echo Reading

Chunky Passages: Practice reading text in meaningful chunks, then reread it fluently without separation.
Chunky Passages .pdf

Online Practice:

Models of Fluent Reading: This resource provides opportunities to see illustrations and listen to books read fluently.

Echo Reading: This resource provides books to practice echo reading with your child to build fluency. Each book has a speaker symbol at the bottom of the page. Push the speaker for the child to hear the page read aloud. Then, have the child echo the reading to practice reading with expression as if they were talking to someone.

I can figure out the correct meaning of a word or phrase. (Language Standard)

As a parent you can...

Model Rich Vocabulary: Use more sophisticated and descriptive language instead of trying to simplify your language so the child will always understand (e.g., Instead of: “Wow! You’re working hard!” Try: “Wow! You are persevering through a really challenging task!”). If you think that your child may not understand, stop and take time to discuss the less familiar words.

My Dictionary: Help the child keep track of new/unfamiliar words and their meanings by helping the child create their own dictionary or word catcher. The child can write the words, draw pictures to illustrate the word or definition, and write sentences using the words.

Online Practice:

Grade 4

I can use background knowledge and evidence from the text to infer new ideas. (4.1.1.1)

As a parent you can...

Prior Knowledge: Have a discussion with the child to learn what they already know about the topic before reading nonfiction. Ask the child if there are any questions about the topic they hope to find answers to as they read the book. Talk about answers that were found in the book after reading.

Read Between the Lines: Help your child learn how to infer meaning from what is not said in the text. When a character has a major event, ask your child to think about how the character might feel or what their next steps might be based on what he/she has already done in the story.

Double-Entry Journal: Use this to jot down big ideas from the text. For each item added students connect or react to the idea.
Double-Entry Journal .pdf

Online Practice

ILX Reading Strategies: H. Inferences: #1–5

Make Reading Connections: This game provides practice making mental connections between the text and things the reader already knows (e.g., text-to-text, text-to-world, text-to-self).

Detective's Notebook: The game is designed to get students thinking about what they are reading and answering questions that require inferencing.

Inferencing with Poetry: This Classroom Connection lesson teaches children how to make inferences about a poem by citing evidence from the text. Extension Activity (optional)

I can Summarize at text and I can use evidence to determine a theme of a text . (4.1.2.2)

As a parent you can...

After you share a story, talk about important story elements such as beginning, middle and end. Encourage your child to retell or summarize the reading. After reading nonfiction, ask questions about the information, "Is the spider an insect? How is a spider different than an insect?

Online Practice:

IXL Reading Strategies: B. Theme: #1

Poetry and Theme: This Classroom Connection lesson teaches children how to make inferences about a poem by citing evidence from the text. Extension activity (optional)

Author's Reasoning: This Classroom Connection lesson teaches children how to make inferences about a poem by citing evidence from the text. Extension activity (optional)

I can use evidence to describe a character's thoughts, words and actions, the setting of a story and evidence to describe important events in a story. (4.1.3.3)

As a parent you can...

Character Consideration: Work together with the child to describe a character using a graphic organizer.
Character Consideration .pdf

Story Pieces: Discuss story elements with the child (e.g., characters, setting, plot, problem, solution) by using a graphic organizer or question cards. Story Pieces .pdf

Online Practice:

IXL Reading Strategies: I. Story Elements: #1

Question Cube: This game provides a short story to read. Click the question cube and answer the question based on the story.

I can determine the meaning of unknown words using a range of strategies. (4.10.4.4)

As a parent you can...

Vocabulary is essential to comprehension. Students need to apply strategies before, during, and after reading to understand texts. Journey North provides a wealth of informational texts to help students learn about words in meaningful contexts. Use the following ideas to help students build and extend vocabulary skills during your Journey North studies. https://journeynorth.org/tm/tips/Tip0023.html#Sorts

Synonym/Antonym Brainstorm: Name a word. Take turns brainstorming words that mean the same thing as the word that was named. Alternate antonym version: Play the game brainstorming words that mean the opposite of the word that was named.

Affix Activity: Using newspapers, magazines, cookbooks, or storybooks, have the child search for words with a targeted prefix or suffix, writing the words found on a piece of paper. Once several words have been found, work together to break the words into the affix (prefix or suffix) and root word and explain what the word means (e.g., “I found the word unthinkable! If I break it into the root and affixes, it is un-think- able. That means that if something is unthinkable, you are not able to think of it.”).

Word Categories: Play a word association game with your child. Call out a category name, and take turns brainstorming other words that make you think of the category word (e.g., “The category is weather.” “Thunderstorm!” “Snow!” “Cumulus Clouds!” “Typhoon!). Afterward, have the child sort the words into other categories, based on their similarities. Have the child explain what is similar about all of the words in their new categories (e.g., “I put train, monorail, boats, and strollers in the same category because they are all types of transportation people use at theme parks.”).

Up with Words: Practice using more precise language in writing by using synonyms to complete the provided sentence cards.

Up with Words .PDF

Context Clues: Assist the child in determining the meaning of unfamiliar words by reading context clues. Then sort the words by type.
Context Clues .pdf

Online Practice:

IXL Vocabulary Strategies: All practice activities are great!

Vocabulary Crossword Puzzle: This game has children apply vocabulary as they complete a crossword puzzle by matching a definition and word from a given list.

Vocab Vik: This game has children match words to a given vocabulary word.

ANTonyms: This game has children find the matching ants to form antonym pairs.

Prefix Popper: This game has children match a prefix to its meaning while popping balloons.

I can determine the main idea of a text and support it with key details. (4.2.2.2)

As a parent you can...

Super Summary: Identify main ideas using a graphic organizer and write a summary with the child. A graphic organizer provides structure for children to write a summary based on the main ideas of the text.
Super Summary .pdf

Online Practice

ILX Reading Strategies: A. Main Ideas: #1–3

Main Idea Millionaire: This game has players find the sentence that does not fit with the main idea of the paragraph.

Summarizing Poetry: This Classroom Connection lesson teaches children how to make inferences about a poem by citing evidence from the text. Extension activity (optional)