Kinder to First - Language & Literacy Review

Congratulations, your child is on their way to First Grade!

As the school year comes to a close, we want to ensure that your child continues to develop their spelling, grammar, and reading skills over the summer break as they transition to First Grade. To support this, we have compiled a list of engaging games, activities, and recommended books that will not only reinforce these skills but also provide fun and interactive learning experiences for your child. By incorporating these into your summer routine, you can help maintain and strengthen the progress your child has made this year. 

Here are some ideas of activities that help with spelling and promote literacy skills:

• Sensory Bins: Create a sensory bin filled with materials like rice, sand, or beads. Hide letter cards in the bin and have the child search for letters to spell out their words.

• Letter Tiles: Use letter tiles or magnetic letters to build the spelling words. This hands-on approach helps reinforce letter recognition and sequencing.

• Spelling Hopscotch: Draw a hopscotch board with letters instead of numbers. Call out a word, and have the child jump on the letters to spell it out.

• Rainbow Writing: Have the child write each letter of the word in different colors to create a rainbow effect. This helps with letter formation and visual memory.

• Word Hunt: Create a list of words and have the child search for them in books, magazines, or around the house. This activity helps reinforce word recognition.

• Spelling Puzzles: Write each letter of the word on separate puzzle pieces. Have the child put the pieces together to spell the word.

• Word Building with Playdough: Use playdough to form the letters of the words. This tactile activity helps with letter formation and fine motor skills.

• Spelling Bee: Have a spelling bee where the child spells out words verbally. 

• Journal Entries: Keep a journal of all the fun activities done throughout the summer. 

• Spelling Games: Play games like Hangman, Word Bingo, or Word Memory to make spelling practice enjoyable.

• https://www.pinterest.com/ortongillingham/red-words/  

Here are some ideas of fun and creative ways to practice reading:

• Reading Aloud: Encourage your child to read aloud to you, a sibling, or even a pet. This helps build fluency and confidence.

• Storytelling: Have your child create and tell their own stories. This can be done verbally or by writing and illustrating a book.

• Read Everywhere: Encourage your child to read signs, labels, and menus when you're out and about. This helps them see reading as a practical skill used in everyday life.

• Create a Reading Nook: Set up a cozy reading corner in your home with pillows, blankets, and a selection of books for your child to explore.

• Read Together: Make reading a family activity by reading together as a family. This can include taking turns reading aloud or discussing books you've read.

• Word Games: Play simple word games like "I Spy" or "Rhyming Words" to reinforce phonics and word recognition skills.

• Letter Scavenger Hunt: Hide letters around the house or yard and have your child find them. Once they find a letter, they can say its sound or name a word that starts with that letter.

• Create a Reading Log: Keep track of the books your child reads over the summer. This can be a simple list or a more creative log where they can write or draw about each book.

The stories below all work mathematical concepts and skills.  These are suggested titles, however there are many many others.  The key here is to incorporate mathematical thinking through literature as well as through games and other tasks.

• Ten Flashing Fireflies (Sturges, Philemon)

• Chicka Chicka 1 2 3 (Martin Jr, Bill; Sampson, Michael; Ehlert, Lois)

• Zero is the Leaves on the Tree (Franco, Betsy)

• Counting Crocodiles (Sierra, Judy)

• Shapes That Roll (Nagel, Karen)

• A Pair of Socks (Murphy, Stuart J)

• Construction Countdown (Olson, K.C.)

• Ten Black Dots (Crews, Donald)

• This Tree Counts (Formento, Alison)

• Alexander, Who Used to be Rich Last Sunday (Viorst, Judith)

• Matemáticas y dinero (Ring, Susan)

• Short Vowel Letter A by: English4ABC

• Short Vowel Letter E by: English4ABC

• Short Vowel Letter I by: English4ABC

• Short Vowel Letter O by: English4ABC

• Short Vowel U by: English4ABC

• See it, Say it, Sign it by: Jack Hartmann

• List of other suggested activities for math 

• K and 1 Daily Summer Activities by Evan Moor this activity book helps students review reading, math, spelling, critical thinking and geography skills.

• Epic! is a digital library for students with over 40,000 books.

• ABCYA is a website that provides educational games and activities

• Spelling and High Frequency Words 

• Recursos de Español