Christmas Reading for Kids

I've got a Christmas present for you this year! Visit the link below to take a look at my newest ebook, The Legends of Christmas. It has five Christmas legends from different cultures. Each story is presented at 3 different reading levels, ranging from 3 to 8. That makes it perfect for families with kids of different ages or classrooms that have students at an array of reading levels. There are also five activity sheets to go with each story, suitable for a wide range of students. All in all, this Multi-Level Workbook will be an asset to many types of programs.

And now for the free gift part. When you visit the information page about my book, there is a yellow button that says "Download Preview." Now, usually I post a few pages of the main work so that customers can see if the book is right for their needs. This time, however, I've posted a full FOURTEEN PAGES! When you download the preview, you'll get the complete set of stories and worksheets for the first legend! Let your students or children enjoy the Legend of the Evergreen at the level they are comfortable reading, and follow up with activities and worksheets to extend the learning. You can download this preview absolutely for free! Merry Christmas!!

Visit The Legends of Christmas to get your free copy of the preview today!

Got old Christmas cards lying around gathering dust? Here are some great ways to use them! And best of all, reading craft directions is a great way for your kids to improve reading comprehension skills. Visit Christmas Card Crafts today!

Beginning readers are always proud to show off their skills. Let your little one shine like a Christmas candle with this great game.

If you wish, teach your emergent reader to recognize some special Christmas words, like Christmas, happy, holiday, Jesus, Bethlehem, and so forth. Choose your words carefully if this is a difficult task; pick words of dramatically different sizes, shapes and beginning letters for maximum success.

Now, start searching for words your child knows how to recognize. Look in cards, newspapers, and on decorations. Check marquees when you are out and about. Watch signs and printed Christmas carols. Celebrate together each time you find a word your child can read. Keep a list and watch it grow for the next few weeks. Your child will be pleased and amazed at the number of words he or she already knows how to read, and big ones, too! Nothing boosts self-confidence quite like this simple activity.

Many people underestimate the power of music in reading. Beginning readers often feel encouraged and learn a lot from reading the words to familiar songs, and, since most people know Christmas songs, this is a great chance to take advantage of this phenomenon.

Find copies of the words to Christmas music that have the words broken into syllables for singing. Many older hymnals are written this way, or you could type your own. By presenting the words in broken up form, you will help beginning readers to see patterns in syllabication and vowel sounds. They will begin to learn about how to attack larger, unfamiliar words.

Songs don't have to be sung, either. Try reading them as a group, or dividing the lines to turn them into choral readings. A few that tell stories can even be presented as plays or puppet shows! Have fun!

Try making a Christmas book together! Here are a few ideas:

--> Use a digital camera to illustrate a family Christmas album or newspaper. Write captions or whole stories to go with each picture.

--> Make a Christmas ABC book. Put in one page for each letter of the alphabet and illustrate something related to Christmas (however loosely!) that begins with each sound.

--> Revive the old-fashioned notion of writing thank you notes for gifts received.

Most kids LOVE to be in the kitchen, whipping up holiday treats. Movitate some Christmas reading by inviting your child to help make candies, cookies, breads, or other holiday snacks that require reading directions or recipes. If your child struggles or is a brand new reader, simply reading the directions on the back of a box mix will be great practice. There are also cookbooks designed for younger children at your library. These easy-readers are great for beginners, too.

If your child is older or a more able reader, head off to the bookstore, library or internet and find some great new recipes to try. Who knows? Maybe you'll come up with a new family favorite!

Make yourself a blank Bingo grid and duplicate a few copies. Fill the squares with words (or words and pictures for younger kids) related to Christmas, like wreath, candle, tree, star, and so forth. Play just like regular Bingo, except if you wish, you can have players color the squares as the words are called.

Children feel an immense sense of accomplishment when they learn to recognize words that are important in their lives. Even young kids can learn to see the differences between words like tree and Santa. While the little ones may not actually be reading yet, they ARE practicing important discrimination skills that will help them be better readers in the long run.

Visit Christmas Reading Fun for more great reading ideas to try with your kids.

Here are some online Christmas stories available for free: Christmas Stories.

Looking for a seasonal reading comprehension lesson? Check this out: The Night Before Christmas Comprehension activity.

Here are Christmas reading suggestions for children of all ages: Suggested Christmas Reading.

Christmas traditions can be fascinating! Coax your older students into reading by sending them on a quest to uncover new ways to celebrate. Visit the local library or bookstore to check out some of the titles listed below and find out the origins of favorite Christmas traditions, new Christmas treats, and more!