Want to know a great idea to get your kids having fun with picture books? Try sticky note reading responses!
There are three different ways that you can use simple sticky notes to take reading to a whole new level of fun with your kids.
Sticky note reading responses are also perfect for teaching multi-age kids (Yes, even the older kids like sticky note reading responses, too!) The best part is that you can use these three ideas with different picture books to get an entirely new experience each time.
Why Use Sticky Note Reading Responses
Kids just love sticky notes. They’re quick to use, very versatile, and offer a hands-on activity to any picture book! It’s a great way to get kids excited about reading.
3 Sticky Note Reading Response Ideas
Let’s start with three easy ideas that you can use right away the next time you’re reading a picture book.
#1 – Reading Comprehension
The first way that you can use sticky notes when your child is reading starts before you read the book. Simply have your child look through the pictures and ask them to place a sticky note on the page that they think has the most exciting part of the story.
The reason we want to do this is that we want our kids to start thinking about the story, even before it happens. This is a strategy that good readers use to enhance or strengthen reading comprehension.
After you read the story, discuss where your child put the sticky note. See if they want to change where they put the sticky note to a new place in the story, or if they want to keep it where it is. By the way, this is also critical thinking skill practice, too!
#2 – Grammar, Spelling, and Word Patterns
The next way that you can use sticky notes reading responses is to ask your child to be a detective in their picture book. Ask them to put a sticky note under words that have a specific spelling pattern. You can ask them to look for short vowels, long vowels, contractions, double consonant pronouns, or any other grammatical skill that they’re working on. The possibilities are endless!
#3 – Understanding the Author’s Message
Another way to use sticky note reading responses is after the story has been read. Simply ask your child to put a sticky note on pages that show “evidence” of what she thinks the author’s message is to the reader of the story. Typically, this is a moral or overall theme behind why the author wrote the book.
When kids find the evidence of the author’s message, it helps them better understand why the story was written. Spoiler alert: this can also lead to helping kids make strong connections to books and start a love of reading!
Time to Get Started
First, choose a picture book that would interest your child.
Next, read the book with your child.
Then, give your child three blank sticky notes.
Finally, select one of the three ideas to complete with your child.
How fun is that?
No matter which sticky note reading response you choose, you can have great conversations about picture books that boost your child’s reading comprehension.
Which of these will you try? We’d love to see your sticky note reading responses on social media! Free free to post a pic and tag us on social media @bookbrilliantkids.
Brilliant idea. I'm gonna try it tomorrow with my 7 yr old.