What's in the Bag?

Decorate the outside of a paper bag with question marks. Place an object in the bag that relates to the next book the class will read. Show the class the bag. Invite students to guess what is inside by asking only questions that require a yes or no answer. Once a student guesses correctly, reveal the item—and the book—with great fanfare.

Llama Llama

All three of Anna Dewdney's Llama Llama books (Llama Llama Red Pajama, Llama Llama Mad at Mama, Llama Llama Misses Mama) are filled with fantastic action words! Assign specific action sequences to groups of students in your classroom—for example, "stomps and pouts" or "jumps and shouts" or "hums a tune." Then host an interactive read-aloud! Read each story to your class, pausing at the action sequences for students to stand and act out the motions of the words.

Download the free activity guide PDF, courtesy of Penguin Young Readers Group!

Read Around Town

Begin by discussing places your students might like to visit on a field trip. Explain that to earn a trip to a particular location, students must reach a group reading goal. For example, before a trip to a pet store or veterinary clinic, the class must read a set number of books about animals. Field trips will be even more meaningful!

Family Tree of Favorites

Draw a giant, leafless tree on brown bulletin board paper. Cut it out and staple it to a bulletin board covered with blue paper. Label the board "Family Tree of Favorites." Give each student precut construction paper leaves and have him ask family members and friends what their favorite books were as children. The person writes her name and title of her favorite book on one of the leaves. Staple the completed leaves to the tree branches. Place copies of some of the favorite books in your classroom library.