Early Elementary literacy resource list
Recommended language development resources for elementary school children ages 5-8
Help your child learn how to express themselves and understand others through activities designed to build language and literacy skills. The following resources have been chosen to supplement in-school language arts and also give them a head start in reading and writing.
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Daily reading is an important activity which many families help reinforce in their early school years. Equally as important however is giving them the tools to read and communicate in other ways such as speaking and writing.
Here are several simple and effective aids that will benefit any child:
Bob Books - Stage 1-3 (set 1-5)
by Bobby Lynn Maslen
Bob Books - Set 1: Beginning Readers is also featured in our K Reading List and is a collection of simple, phonics-based books designed to help young children build confidence in reading the very simplest of sentences. Set 2: Advancing Beginners builds on Set 1 with slightly more complex sentences. Sets 3-5 introduces words with two syllables, consonant blends (such as "nd", "sn"), and long vowels.
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What makes this collection a must have for any beginner reader is how the sets focus on each stage of reading and word sounds.
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Language Building, Read-Aloud
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What your Kindergartner Needs to Know
E.D. Hirsch Jr. and John Holden
If you are serious about following your child's education at home, this series could be the single most useful educational resource for both you and your child. There are editions for every grade level, and each is filled with detailed and insightful information on the topics your Kindergartner (or above) should expect to encounter. Each book is also packed with reading materials you can use directly with your child covering language arts, geography and history, math, and more.
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While this series is aimed at those in schools following the Common Core curriculum adopted by the majority of public schools in America, the contents are relevant for those in any school.​​
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Parenting & Education, Print Quality
Think Tank Scholar Sight Words & Phonics Flashcards
by Think Tank Scholar
These are simple flashcards divided into 5 proficiency levels plus an additional phonics pack, suitable from pre-K to about G3. Flashcards are a convenient way to introduce sight word vocabulary to your child, whether you have only a few minutes or have time set aside.
Ask your child to pronounce the word they see, and practice describing what the word means. The set also comes with numerous other suggestions for how to use these cards with your child.
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The set comes in a sturdy box, and each card is made with thick card stock and rounded edges.
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Vocabulary Building, Adult-Guided Learning, Print Quality
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Rocket Writes a Story
Tad Hills
Looking to inspire your child's creativity through storytelling? Whether your child already has a favorite book series from which to imagine a brand new chapter, or have their very own imaginary character ready to come alive, this tale illustrates how even the earliest readers can become early writers. In this book, the lovable dog Rocket has eagerly collected new words from his recent reading adventures. With the help of his teacher the little yellow bird, and a new friend, Rocket ​finds inspiration for writing his very first story.
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A perfect read-aloud to gently start your creative writing journey together.
Language Building, Endearing, Print Quality
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Mead Primary Journal, Half Page Ruled, Grades K-2
Mead
Encourage your child's love for writing with these classic half-ruled notebooks, perfect for drawing and writing. Each page features a blank top half for illustrations, and an extra large ruled bottom half for writing. The ruled section has a blue top line, a red bottom line, and dotted middle line—making letter placement perfectly clear for all your beginner writers. Mead's high quality notebooks are standard on many school supplies lists.
Away from school, these are perfect for children to recount their day, weekend adventures, or even for creating their own little picture stories!​​
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Language Building, Imagination
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