KinderGals: Are You Busy? No Prep Literacy Activities

Ever find yourself needing just one more activity? Or, ever have to call a sub.at.the.last.minute? Or, how about do you lack the energy to prep one more activity? I'm sure we have all been there. Here's the solution...we need a few "go to" print and go activities that our kids will know how to do independently and require very little prep. This post shares four of my favorites.

1. Cut, Stack, Staple, Read

I love these easy little readers. Here's all the kids do.

Cut out the large rectangle and the 3 small rectangles.
Stack the 3 small rectangles on top of the large rectangle.
Staple.
As you life each of the small rectangles...read the book.

These are great for predictable text. They allow for repeated reading to develop prosody! Invite the children to add them to their book box for reader's workshop time.

2. Cut a Sentence

Here is another idea for kids to make easy readers. There is a little prep with this one. You will need to make a booklet with a cover and 4 blank pages. If you find you don't have time for that, invite the children to divide the paper into 1/4's and put a sentence in each section.
Here's all the kids do.

Cut off the first sentence.
Cut between the words.
Put the word with the capital letter first.
Put the word with the period last.
Manipulate the other words until the sentence makes sense.

These are also great for predictable text and developing prosody! Invite the children to add them to their book box for reader's workshop time.

3. Maze Mania

Here's a great print and go activity to practice beginning sound.
Here's all the kids do..

Put your pencil where you see the arrow.
Name each of the two pictures blocking the path.
Decide which one begins with the letter at the top of the page.
Draw your line through that picture and move on to the next two pictures.
Repeat the process until you get to the end.

These are great for predictable text. They allow for repeated reading to develop prosody! Invite the children to add them to their book box for reader's workshop time.

4. Sound Off

These are easy "odd man out" sound sorts. You can use this with beginning sound, ending sound, and medial vowel sound.
Here's what the kids do.

Cut out the ten pictures.
Name each picture.
If it begins like the picture at the top of the page, glue it down.
Repeat with all 10 cards.
Only 8 cards will be glued down.

There is no need to do this with every sound. Once the children understand how to segment off the beginning sound, move on to ending sounds, and then vowels.
Here is a link to each of these four units.