Hi, I’m Trina, a former struggling reader turned educator with over 30 years of experience. Through Readers in the Making, I share weekly tips and resources to help parents and “rebel” teachers inspire a lifelong love for books in kids. My goal? To make reading joyful, accessible, and empowering for all young readers. Join our community to get practical tips, engaging resources, and a little extra inspiration each week! 📚
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🕵🏻♀️The Secret to Raising Strong Readers? PLAY! Fun Literacy Strategies
Published 2 months ago • 3 min read
Issue # 1
Readers in the Making
Hi there, Readers in the Making Family!
When I think back to the books that truly made me fall in love with reading, I realize something—they weren’t just stories, they were adventures. Whether I was imagining myself as Cinderella running from the ball or tricking the Big Bad Wolf right alongside Red Riding Hood, books weren’t just words on a page—they were play.
And that’s exactly what we’re exploring this week: the role of play in literacy development—because reading should feel like an adventure, not an assignment!
Turning Pages Together
A teacher once told me about a student who hated reading. He struggled with fluency and comprehension; every book felt like a chore. Then, one day, the class acted out The Three Little Pigs, and suddenly, he was engaged—playing with language, exploring character voices, and fully immersed in the story.
That one experience changed everything. From then on, he wanted to read more stories he could bring to life. He realized that books weren’t just work—they were fun.
This is why play matters in reading. When we let kids act out stories, use their imagination, and engage with books in a hands-on way, we unlock something magical.
The Reading Spark
📚 Bringing Stories to Life Through Play & Imagination
Play isn’t just fun—it’s a powerful literacy tool! Here are two simple ways to weave play into your student or child’s reading routine:
1️⃣ Act It Out! Choose a favorite book and turn it into a mini-play. Let kids be the characters, use props, or even make puppets. This deepens comprehension and helps them truly connect with the story.
(Reader's Theater works really well, too, and you don't need anything but readers and a script! Plus, I have a very fun April Fools Day Reader's Theater resource with three scripts and fun bookmarks! Grab it here.)
2️⃣ Storytelling Games Before bedtime or before lunchtime in the classroom, start a sentence like, “Once upon a time, in a land of talking animals…” and let your child or students continue the story. This builds creativity, vocabulary, and a love for storytelling—all essential skills for strong readers.
Want more playful learning ideas? Join me for this week’s Readers in the Making live show! 🎥👇Readers in the Making Live on YouTube
Book Recommendation: Fairytales, Folktales, and Fables
Timeless tales are the perfect way to introduce kids to story structure, moral lessons, and imaginative play. Classic stories like Cinderella, The Tortoise and the Hare, and Stone Soup create meaningful discussions and hands-on engagement.
👉 Have you grabbed your FREE Fairytales, Folktales & Fables anchor charts from last week? If not, snag them now!
🔎 Want a full, ready-to-go unit? If you’re loving these lessons, my full 6-week unit provides everything you need: engaging lessons, mentor texts, interactive activities, and more.
If you’re loving the sneak peek lesson from last week, my full 6-week unit provides everything you need: engaging lessons, mentor texts, interactive activities, and more.
✨ What’s Inside? ✔️ Highly effective lesson plans—gradual release model, cooperative learning, and standards-based instruction. ✔️ Graphic organizers & anchor charts—reinforce character development, theme, and moral lessons. ✔️ Formative assessments & writing tasks—engaging ways to track progress and build deeper understanding. ✔️ Flexible teaching approach—ideal for whole-class, small group, or individual instruction.
🎥 Topic: The Role of Play in Literacy Development ✔️ How acting out stories strengthens comprehension. ✔️ Why storytelling games build vocabulary and confidence. ✔️ Fun, low-prep activities that turn reading into an adventure.
🎁 BONUS! Grab your FREE Fairytales, Folktales & Fables Sample Lesson! It includes a lesson plan, sorting activity, and anchor posters to introduce these genres. (You can grab it in the description of this show on YouTube.)
Hi, I’m Trina, a former struggling reader turned educator with over 30 years of experience. Through Readers in the Making, I share weekly tips and resources to help parents and “rebel” teachers inspire a lifelong love for books in kids. My goal? To make reading joyful, accessible, and empowering for all young readers. Join our community to get practical tips, engaging resources, and a little extra inspiration each week! 📚
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