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The U.S. Department of Education has reported that children are much more likely to drop out of school in later years if they have not developed some basic reading skills by the time they enter school. That’s why one important focus for WHRO Public Media is early literacy. Our WHRO Education team helps students throughout Eastern Virginia develop reading skills through our Literacy Van program, summer reading camps, and by providing books to students in low-income communities where books are not easily accessible.
But parents and grandparents can also help children develop these skills at home! Sunday, March 2 is Read Across America Day (and the birthday of Dr. Seuss), and it kicks off Read Across America Week. Help your children practice reading and embrace a love of books with these videos, printables, crafts and apps used by local educators.
Videos & Activities
Super Why's Comic Book Adventures (preK-K)
In this collection of resources, join Super Why and the newest Super Reader, Power Paige, as they save the day (and the story!) from literacy villains and other anomalies in Reader Valley. The series is set in a visually fantastic 2D comic book world, with musical adventures aimed to expand preschool and kindergarten literacy skills through catchy new songs that break down big skills for early readers.
Strong Readers Ask Questions (2nd Grade)
Strong readers ask and answer questions while reading. Students learn and use questioning sentence starters to strengthen and monitor their comprehension while reading.
Let's Set a Purpose For Reading (3rd Grade)
Use materials found in your home to create a learning journal that students can use to record their learning. In this lesson, students learn the importance of setting a purpose for reading before they read and explore some different purposes for reading.
PBS TeacherLine Tips for Developing Active Reading
Use this list of questions to ask children before, during, and after reading. All of the questions are designed to be thought-provoking to have readers begin the practice of always thinking while reading in order to make the most of a reading.
Reading Resources: Fiction, Nonfiction, and Poetry (grades 6-8)
Explore eMediaVA's collection of digital resources to teach and review reading skills with your middle school students. This collection includes resources on literary elements, fiction and nonfiction, poetry, and media literacy.
Segment Sounds and Decode Two-Syllable Words | Let's Learn (grades K-2)
Decode two-syllable words with Reading Coach Carissa Berliner. Students will learn how to read 2-syllable VCCV words by breaking a part a longer word into syllables to read the word.
Printables
Raising Readers Collection of Printables
Reading charts, activity starters, bingo and more -- all designed to improve reading and writing skills and make learning fun!
Maya Angelou Reader | Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum
Print and fold this 2-page biosketch about Maya Angelou into a booklet! Also includes a sentence starter worksheet.
Helen Keller Reader | Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum
Use this printable biosketch to spark conversations, research, and engagement about author Helen Keller.
Mary Shelley | Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum
Use this printable biosketch to spark conversations, research, and engagement about author Mary Shelley.
Growing as a Reader Bingo: Grades 1 and 2 | PBS KIDS
Identify topics you would like to read about and create your own reading list.
Crafts
Bake Gingerbread Letters
Make gingerbread cookies in the shape of the alphabet with this simply delicious activity.
Play a Storytelling Game
Roll homemade dice and use your imagination to tell a unique story.
Apps
Martha Speaks Story Maker
As with the Martha Speaks television show and website, the Martha Speaks Story Maker app is designed to increase oral vocabulary. Children can write and save their own stories and hear Martha read them.
Martha Speaks Word Spinner
Help your child build storytelling and oral vocabulary skills while playing six interactive mini-games with the whole family.
PBS Parents Play and Learn
This app provides more than a dozen games you can play with kids, each themed around a familiar location like the garden or kitchen. The games build on kids’ natural curiosity and are designed to teach math or literacy skills.
Find more fun crafts in our Crafts for Kids videos, and search for fun activities and videos on eMediaVA.org.
WHRO is proudly owned by the 21 school divisions in the southeastern Virginia region. Learn more about the many educational resources that WHRO Public Media provides to educators and families.
