Use a School Readiness Activity to provide early literacy thinking experiences for preschool children that will prepare them to do well in the early grades.
Grades:
+ show tags
Type:
Download

Steps to Reading

Purpose/Skills
  • To identify the parts of a book and how they are read
  • To handle a book appropriately
  • To understand that the print in books contains meaningful information and is read in a particular way

Materials
Children's favorite books

Literature Suggestion
Read any book that appeals to the group.

Vocabulary
cover pages
words      the end    
pictures title

Warm-Up

Give children time to handle and examine some favorite books. Then read a book that children know well and enjoy.

Procedure

  • Gather the group in a reading circle, with the book on the floor at your feet. Tell children you are going to read the book again, only this time, it's their job to tell you what to do. Ask, "What should I do first?"
  • Elicit information about how to read a book, as children guide you through the steps in the process. For example, if someone tells you to pick up the book, do so, but place it in your lap. Let children tell you the steps involved in reading the book. (Examples: Hold the book in your hands, right side up; open the book; begin on the first page; read the words and look at the pictures; turn pages as you read; keep reading until the story ends and there are no more words or pictures.)
  • As you guide children through the process, ask them to also name the different parts of the book. (Examples: cover, pages, words, pictures, title, the end)
  • As you read, point out proper use of the book: "I turn one page at a time. I read the pages in order."
  • At the end of the exercise, recap all the information children have mentioned about reading, and be sure to compliment children on how much they know about books.
Enrichment
Provide quiet reading time, encouraging children to leaf through their favorite books and "read" to themselves.

Observation Assessment

  • Proficient - Child can easily identify three or more steps in the process of reading a book.
  • In Process - Child can easily identify a few steps in the process of reading a book.
  • Not Yet Ready - Child cannot yet identify or explain how to read a book.

Featured Pre-K Resources

How Many Bears on the Bed? Pre-K Math Lesson Plan

LESSON PLANS

How Many Bears on the Bed? Lesson Plan & Printable

Get ready to count bears and build math skills with this engaging lesson plan and printable for Pre-K, perfect for littl...

Add to Folder
creative writing
children's book
activities
classroom tools
language arts and writing
vocabulary
Create new folderCREATE NEW FOLDER
Taller or Shorter? Comparing Heights in Pre-K Math Lesson Plan

LESSON PLANS

Taller or Shorter? Comparing Heights Pre-K Lesson Plan

Dive into the world of height comparisons with this engaging Pre-K lesson plan that makes learning about 'taller' and 's...

Add to Folder
creative writing
children's book
activities
classroom tools
language arts and writing
vocabulary
Create new folderCREATE NEW FOLDER
How Many Eggs Are in the Nest? Counting Pre-K Lesson Plan Printable

LESSON PLANS

How Many Eggs Are in the Nests? Lesson Plan & Printable

Get your little ones counting with this egg-citing lesson plan and printable for preschoolers! This engaging activity...

Add to Folder
creative writing
children's book
activities
classroom tools
language arts and writing
vocabulary
Create new folderCREATE NEW FOLDER

Related Resources

ACTIVITIES

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Enrichment Activities

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle The Very Hungry Caterpillar, by Eric Carle, tells the ch...

Add to Folder
creative writing
children's book
activities
classroom tools
language arts and writing
vocabulary
Create new folderCREATE NEW FOLDER

ACTIVITIES

Corduroy by Don Freeman

Corduroy by Don FreemanSummary of the Story Corduroy is a bear who lives in the toy department of a big store.

Add to Folder
creative writing
children's book
activities
classroom tools
language arts and writing
vocabulary
Create new folderCREATE NEW FOLDER

LESSON PLANS

Aunt Isabel Tells a Good One and Aunt Isabel Makes Trouble

Aunt Isabel Tells a Good One and Aunt Isabel Makes Trouble by Kate Duke For Grades Pre-K - 5 Lesson Plan 1 Less...

Add to Folder
creative writing
children's book
activities
classroom tools
language arts and writing
vocabulary
Create new folderCREATE NEW FOLDER

ACTIVITIES

Duck by Barrie Watts

Duck by Barrie Watts Summary of the Story Written from a duck's point of view, this informational book describes how a d...

Add to Folder
creative writing
children's book
activities
classroom tools
language arts and writing
vocabulary
Create new folderCREATE NEW FOLDER

ACTIVITIES

Gilberto and the Wind by Marie Hall Ets

Gilberto and the Wind by Marie Hall EtsSummary of the Story Gilberto finds that the wind is a playmate.

Add to Folder
creative writing
children's book
activities
classroom tools
language arts and writing
vocabulary
Create new folderCREATE NEW FOLDER

ACTIVITIES

Golden Bear by Ruth Young

Golden Bear by Ruth Young Summary of the Story A toy bear and his owner dance up the stairs, learn to play the violin, t...

Add to Folder
creative writing
children's book
activities
classroom tools
language arts and writing
vocabulary
Create new folderCREATE NEW FOLDER

About the author

TeacherVision Staff

TeacherVision Editorial Staff

The TeacherVision editorial team is comprised of teachers, experts, and content professionals dedicated to bringing you the most accurate and relevant information in the teaching space.

loading gif