Creating Basic Reading Guides

Every Learner is Different & That's OK!

Always keep in mind that every child has different strengths, weaknesses, and interests. When creating a reading guide keep in mind what they will enjoy.

• Choose a book that will be interesting, try to include them in choosing a book if you can.
• Have set reading times that don't interfere with other activities. Don't tell them "I'm taking away your favorite video games so you can READ." -They will hate reading and any activities related to it!
• Write questions that flow with the book! Don't have them searching all over the place for the answer or going too far and realizing that they missed it!
• Remember these are not quizzes so don't put too much pressure on always having the right answer or the correct spelling.
• Wrong answers on the reading guide are perfect opportunities to discuss the book, read the section again but together, and identify specific areas that may be weaker in.
• Don't harp on them for the wrong answer! Encourage! Encourage! Encourage! Never let them think that they 'just aren't good at reading'
• Don't correct in pen! It really is intimidating!
• Start off with simple questions in the beginning and work toward harder questions so they do not become frustrated before they even being.
• Include page numbers in some questions and not others, that way they won't be turning to the page numbers and skimming for the answer.
• Have one reading guide for every chapter (or 10 pages)
• Does your reader like art? Incorporate that into the reading guide! Find a scene in the story that uses a lot of descriptive words and have them draw out the scene using as much detail as possible.
• My daughter loves to write letters. Some guides include activities such as writing a letter to one of the characters. We usually limit it to a paragraph.
• Encourage empathy! Ask questions such as 'how would you feel' to encourage your reader to relate to the characters.
• Keep a list of books your reader has read through the year. Look back on your reading guides and discuss the books, highlighting the funny, scary, and crazy events of the story.

• Keep in mind that these reading guides are to encourage a love of reading and reading comprehension. Pull back on the reading guides when you think that your reader is enjoying what they are reading independently!
• When the time is right, ask less questions and incorporate only the activities they especially enjoy.
• Use book reports for some books but pull back and encourage them to have independent reading time.