The document provides instructions for reading activities to help keep children focused and engaged. It includes folding paper into squares to draw pictures related to slides. Poems are also included, such as one about a cow in outer space and another about if school was like baseball. The activities cover different types of poems like quatrains, acrostics, and haiku. Children are encouraged to pledge to read books online to earn rewards.

1. Reading with activitiesMaking reading fun for the youngBy Samantha TilfordMy goal with the reading activities and having them draw pictures is to help keep them focused and active. I was an infamous fidgeter as a child and for some reason I always focused more when there was a task that involved movement, even if it was with my hands- as in coloring.

2. In class activityInstructions:You are given two piece of blank paper. Fold each one hamburger style, then hotdog style then back to hamburger style. You should now have eight squares on each paper. Each square is going to be a picture related to a slide.

3. Poetry and RhymingFun poems

4. I Have to Write a Poemby Kenn NesbitI have to write a poembut I really don't know how.So maybe I'll just make a rhymewith something dumb, like "cow."Okay, I'll write about a cow,but that's so commonplace.I think I'll have to make her be...a cow from outer space!My cow will need a helmetand a space suit and a ship.Of course, she'll keep a blasterin the holster on her hip.She'll hurtle through the galaxyon meteoric flightsto battle monkey aliensin huge karate fights.She'll duel with laser saberswhile avoiding lava sprayto vanquish evil emperorsand always save the day.I hope the teacher likes my tale,"Amazing Astro Cow."Yes, that's the poem I will writeas soon as I learn how.-Read along silently-Poem taken from Kenn Nesbitt at: http://www.poetry4kids.com/poem-249.html

5. Green As a BeanBy Karla Kuskin Illustrated by Melissa IwaiIf you could be greenwould you be a lawnor a lean green beanand the stalk it’s on?On your piece of paper in the upper Left corner square will you please draw something green.*Website and projects taken from Harper Collins web page.http://files.harpercollins.com/PDF/ActivitiesGuides/006075334X.pdf

6. I spy something brown.I spy something white.I spy something green,I spy something nice.I spy something SquareI see a shoe to wear!In the next square to the right will you draw something you spy.Write underneath your picture what is.Instruction:I spyCan you rhyme?

7. For this activity I want the entire class to read the passage out loud- as loud as you can. On the count of three: 1 2 3!

8. Now draw something to do with baseball on the next square to the right at the topIf school were more like Baseball - Kenn NesbittIf school were more like baseballwe'd only have to play.We'd hang out in the sunshineand run around all day.We wouldn't have to study.We'd practice and we'd train.And, best of all, they'd cancelwhenever there was rain.Read Aloud!Picture taken from: http://www.milwaukeebrewersticket.net/main/newsArchivepoetry taken from Kenn Nesbitt, http://www.poetry4kids.com/poem-312.html

9. Types of poems Poems and Rhyming

10. Poem formatsQuick DefinitionsWe will focus on four types of poems at the moment:Quatrainpoemsare usually four lined poems where lines 2 and 4 rhyme.Acrostic poem- where you make a word.Ballad poetry where it tells a story, usually four lines in a stanza where it rhymes lines abab or abcb usually at three beats a line (to figure out how many beats a poem has clap your hands together.)Haiku poems- originated in Japan, it focuses on syllables or beats. It is usually three lines. Definitions found at: http://www.poemofquotes.com/articles/poetry_forms.php , http://www.poetryarchive.org/poetryarchive/glossaryItem.do?id=8066

11. Lets write a poem togetherWhat type of poem am I describing?Write your poem on your next square to your right!www.rhymezone.com.This link will help you rhyme if you need help.It has to be Four lines and it has to Rhyme in the format abab. I will walk you through it.Lets start:Think of a topic- any topic, it can be chosen at random if you wish.Now write your first line. Make sure you last word in the sentence can be rhymed. (brainstorm if you have to, I also have a website down below to help you rhyme). DON’T USE THE WORD ORANGE!Find a collection of words that rhyme together. And have them ready for when you write the next sentence. Continue on this way making sure the first two lines and the last two lines rhyme in the A and B format. You did it!!!! You wrote a Poem!

12. Lets write a Poem #2Haiku What is a syllable?A syllable is… A word or group of words that you can say in one part. Some words may have many syllables. For example: running. Say the word out loud and clap to it. How many claps does it take? This time the poem doesn’t have to rhyme but you have to match the amount of syllables you use. Write this down on the next slide you have.

13. You will have to write a poem that goes:

14. 5 syllables

15. 7 syllables

16. 5 syllablesAcostic poems make a word.Write out your name and write a poem to go with it.Picture taken from:http://www.enchantedlearning.com/poetry/acrostic/Write an Acostic poem!