Children in grades 3-5 are working on expanding their vocabulary, diversifying their word choice, applying grammar conventions, and utilizing new levels of cognition in their spoken and written stories. Use these books to support these aspects of development in your child:
- The Twits by Ronald Dahl is a book that contains wonderful descriptive (showing) language. Help your child identify the various word choices the author uses, and point out new vocabulary you bump in to. Can your child infer the meaning, based on the context?
- My Best Friend is as Sharp as a Pencil and Other Funny Classroom Portraits by Hanoch Piven: Wonderful book to point out and discover similes together.
- Skin Like Milk, Hair of Silk: What are Similes and Metaphors by Brian P. Cleary and Brian Gable: After reading the book, have your child go on to a site like Toondoo.com and make his own comic-style simile or metaphor.
- The Screaming Mean Machine by Joy Crowley: See if your child can pull out the vivid verbs and similes. Terrific story to discuss voice and perspective as well!
