Upper Elementary literacy resource list
Recommended language development resources for upper school children ages 8-11
As students become more independent in their reading, it's easy for adults to overlook the foundational language skills that still need nurturing. Gaps in vocabulary or parsing advanced sentence structure can prevent them from truly connecting with a story. This can quietly affect comprehension and confidence. Before long, a once enthusiastic reader can lose their love of reading.
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By keeping an eye on their language development, adults can offer the support their child needs. These language resources can complement a child’s reading habits, allowing them to continue their reading independence while giving you and your child shared opportunities for strengthening their literacy skills.​
Sylvan Learning 3rd Grade Vocabulary Flashcards
Slyvan
Literacy is more than simply reading, and Upper Elementary is often when parents realize their student may need a little extra attention to specific areas in language development such as vocabulary or grammar.
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Although flashcards are becoming increasingly digitized, students in this age range (and their adults) still benefit from the connection to physical aids. Each of Sylvan's vocabulary flashcards come dual-sided with the word and the definition on the front and a sentence example on the reverse side. Availability is running low on this gem of a resource, so get them while you still can.
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Vocabulary Building, Adult-Guided Learning
Wordly Wise 3000
Wordly Wise
Another fantastic resource is the Wordly Wise series, popular with adults who prefer a more structured and guided approach to vocabulary building with their child, or homeschoolers looking for additional vocabulary lessons.
The workbooks evolve in their approach, using many fun visual-based activities in the Grade K book to more lesson-based exercises by the Grade 2 and 3 books. Each vocabulary set in these later workbooks employ several components including reading compression and writing exercises so that students thoroughly acquire new words into their own vocabulary.
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Vocabulary Building, Language Building, Adult-Guided Learning
Merriam-Webster’s Elementary Dictionary
Merriam-Webster
​Traditional dictionaries helps to teach vocabulary by encouraging independent research, yet when used alongside an adult can also help to generate fantastic discussion about word context.
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Comparing several of the leading children's and elementary school dictionaries and numerous words side-by-side, Meriam-Webster's was our winner for its clear definitions and easy to read copy. Frustratingly, many alternatives by well-known publishers such as Oxford and American Heritage frequently include entries with confusing definitions, or ones which use middle school level language to explain elementary school level words.
Vocabulary Building
Write Your Own Adventure Stories
Usborne
Writing allows a child to unlock their imagination through the most timeless form of expression—words. It helps them organize their thoughts and build their vocabulary by putting together all of language skills they acquire. Best of all, writing stories gives kids a sense of accomplishment.
Working with an adult can make the process even more enriching by identifying and practicing together writing techniques a student seen in books they've read. Write Your Own Adventure Stories helps break down what might otherwise be a daunting project (for both kids and their adult) into a series of fun and manageable writing exercises.
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Language Building, Imagination, Adult-Guided Learning