Activities to read together

Try an Activity Together These basic activities are free for families and organizations serving children. An adult can read the steps aloud and help everyone take a turn. You can say your answer, point, draw or write. Choose what works for you. Take a break or skip a step whenever you need to.

1. Say Hello & Take a Turn You need: someone to practice with. 1. Choose a greeting: say hello, wave, point to a greeting or use your usual way of communicating. You may share a first name or nickname, or leave it out. 2. Share one thing you enjoy learning or doing. You can say it, point, draw or write. 3. Take turns asking, “What do you enjoy?” Give each person time to answer in their own way. Talk together: What helped each person feel welcome? Adult note: Keep the practice within your family or group. Children do not need to share contact details, addresses or other private information.

2. Be a Book Detective You need: a book you already have. 1. Explore the cover together. An adult can read the title and describe the pictures. What do you think the book might be about? 2. Read or listen to a page. Find a picture, word or sentence that gives you a clue about what is happening. An adult can describe pictures and read words aloud. 3. Share one clue you noticed. You can say your answer, point, draw or write. Talk together: Did anything surprise you? What clue helped you understand? Adult note: Let the child choose how to participate. There is no need to submit an answer or finish the whole book for this activity.

3. Make a Pretend Bicycle Savings Plan You need: someone to count with. Paper and a pencil are optional. This is a pretend plan; no purchase or real saving is required. 1. For this practice plan, imagine the bicycle you want costs $150. Real prices vary. 2. Pretend to save $5 each week. Start counting together: week 1, $5; week 2, $10; week 3, $15; week 4, $20. That is a start toward your $150 goal. You can say the totals, point to them, draw or write them. 3. An adult can help you count or use a calculator: at $5 a week, reaching $150 takes 30 weeks. Optional challenge: What happens if you save $10 a week? Reaching $150 takes 15 weeks. Talk together: What could change your plan? How could you adjust it? Adult note: Help with counting as needed. You can stop after the first plan.

For the Adult Helping Adapt the activities to your learner and go at a comfortable pace. No child profile is needed. Do not submit children’s names, answers or work to NBWSAA. Keep any practice with your family or organization.