Challenging Our Readers
In first grade, we see many different levels of readers. We are planning on compiling a list of resources for parents who want to challenge and excite their advanced readers, without overdoing it.
Because skilled readers can read more difficult text, this doesn't always mean these texts are right for them. There are so many age-appropriate, challenging texts available that, in the early grades, it is best to save some of the heavier content for later, when your child can better understand it. Books like Harry Potter and The Giver are phenomenal reads, but far more enjoyable when your child is mature enough to understand some of more sophisticated themes. Generally speaking if the protagonist of a book is more than a couple of years older than your child, the book is probably not a good fit.
Here is a list of more challenging texts for first graders that is age appropriate and rich reading material.
Higher Level Books for Young Students
(to be used as read-alouds)
• In the Amelia Bedelia series by Peggy Parish a wacky maid takes everything TOO literally!
• The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg is a Caldecott Medal winner for the beautiful illustrations that accompany the classic winter story.
• Jumanji by Chris Van Allsburg also won a Caldecott Medal and a National Book Award for the story and illustrations about a board game come to life.
• My Father’s Dragon by Ruth Gannett is the lively tale of a boy’s mission to save an oppressed dragon in a faraway land.
• Sylvester and the Magic Pebble by William Steig tells the story of a donkey with a magic pebble and includes pictures that merited it a Caldecott Medal.
• The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary is the exciting tale of a boy who befriends a mouse.
• Sarah Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan was named a New York Times Outstanding Book of the Year. The book has become a classic story about life on the prairie.
• Dear Mr. Henshaw by Beverly Cleary tells the story of a boy's correspondence with his favorite author. It was named an ALA Notable Book and won a Newbery Medal.
• Caddie Woodlawn by Carol Ryrie Brink, a book about a tomboy and her interactions with Indians, was one of the first Newberry Medal winners.
Asking children deep questions about their reading is a great way for you to take your child to the next level of reading. By asking these kinds of questions, you will get your child to dig deeper into the materials he or she is reading. Challenge your child to support his or her thinking with evidence from the text. You can do this by following up his or her comments about the text with questions such as "How do you know that?" or "What makes you think that?"
Ask your child to make Inferences. "I wonder what will happen next?" "How do you think this character feels?"
Because skilled readers can read more difficult text, this doesn't always mean these texts are right for them. There are so many age-appropriate, challenging texts available that, in the early grades, it is best to save some of the heavier content for later, when your child can better understand it. Books like Harry Potter and The Giver are phenomenal reads, but far more enjoyable when your child is mature enough to understand some of more sophisticated themes. Generally speaking if the protagonist of a book is more than a couple of years older than your child, the book is probably not a good fit.
Here is a list of more challenging texts for first graders that is age appropriate and rich reading material.
Higher Level Books for Young Students
(to be used as read-alouds)
• In the Amelia Bedelia series by Peggy Parish a wacky maid takes everything TOO literally!
• The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg is a Caldecott Medal winner for the beautiful illustrations that accompany the classic winter story.
• Jumanji by Chris Van Allsburg also won a Caldecott Medal and a National Book Award for the story and illustrations about a board game come to life.
• My Father’s Dragon by Ruth Gannett is the lively tale of a boy’s mission to save an oppressed dragon in a faraway land.
• Sylvester and the Magic Pebble by William Steig tells the story of a donkey with a magic pebble and includes pictures that merited it a Caldecott Medal.
• The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary is the exciting tale of a boy who befriends a mouse.
• Sarah Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan was named a New York Times Outstanding Book of the Year. The book has become a classic story about life on the prairie.
• Dear Mr. Henshaw by Beverly Cleary tells the story of a boy's correspondence with his favorite author. It was named an ALA Notable Book and won a Newbery Medal.
• Caddie Woodlawn by Carol Ryrie Brink, a book about a tomboy and her interactions with Indians, was one of the first Newberry Medal winners.
Asking children deep questions about their reading is a great way for you to take your child to the next level of reading. By asking these kinds of questions, you will get your child to dig deeper into the materials he or she is reading. Challenge your child to support his or her thinking with evidence from the text. You can do this by following up his or her comments about the text with questions such as "How do you know that?" or "What makes you think that?"
Ask your child to make Inferences. "I wonder what will happen next?" "How do you think this character feels?"