Reading & Writing
Discover audiobooks, writing prompts, and language games for practicing reading comprehension, creative writing, and so much more.
Resources for Grades 3–5

Activity
Preschool–grade 12
Thank You Cards
Show you care by sending a thank you card. Choose to print, color, or send electronically.

Lesson
grades 4–12
Letters of Gratitude to Essential Workers
Write a meaningful letter of thanks to essential workers that returns their acts of service and kindness.
Activity
grades 3–5
Write and Perform
Write an original rap, song or spoken word poem with friends, family members or by yourself. Practice your performance.

Activity
grades 3–5
Create a Family Movie Guide
Create a family movie guide that not only will be a lasting piece of memorabilia but will also help with writing skills.

Activity
grades 3–5
Address an Envelope
Learn the steps of this important skill. Then, write a letter to friends or family—they'll be delighted to get it in the mail.
Video
grades 5–12
Evolution of the Book
What makes a book a book? Learn about the origins of bookmaking from design and fonts to paper and spines.

Audio
grades 1–12
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland
Listen to all two hours and 44 minutes of Scarlett Johansson reading this classic tale of madcap adventure.

Article/Ebook
grades 3–6
Telling Stories Without Words
Take a closer look at what it's like to be a photojournalist, and read what one photojournalist has to say about her job.

Article/Ebook
grades 3–8
Lost and Found
After you read the poem, think about what it's like to find something that was lost. Create something (poem, art, etc.) that captures that feeling.

Article/Ebook
grades 3–5
All the Presidents' Pets
Read about some of the most popular, and strangest, pets that have lived in the White House.

Article/Ebook
grades 3–4
Amazon Rain Forest
Read the article on forest life and write three facts you learned.
Video
grades K–3
"Just a Minute: A Trickster Tale and Counting Book"
Watch Latinx author and illustrator Yuyi Morales read her first self-illustrated story and find out who is the trickster and who was tricked.

Activity
Preschool–grade 12
Thank You Cards
Show you care by sending a thank you card. Choose to print, color, or send electronically.
Activity
grades 3–5
Write and Perform
Write an original rap, song or spoken word poem with friends, family members or by yourself. Practice your performance.

Activity
grades 3–5
Create a Family Movie Guide
Create a family movie guide that not only will be a lasting piece of memorabilia but will also help with writing skills.

Activity
grades 3–5
Address an Envelope
Learn the steps of this important skill. Then, write a letter to friends or family—they'll be delighted to get it in the mail.

Activity
grades 3–8
DIY Comic Book
Dream of writing your own graphic novel or zine to share with friends? Learn how to start with a single sheet of paper. Then start creating!

Activity
grades 3–6
Family Interview Project
Use these questions (or write your own) to interview a family member. Write down or record their answers, and share with the whole family.
Activity
grades 3–8
Media Matters
Write down your favorite things to watch, read, or listen to. Why do you like each of them? Do they all share a common theme?
Activity
grades 2–5
Scavenger Hunt
Write five creative clues that will lead someone to a treasure. Do it outside if you can!

Activity
grades 3–6
Your Hero Writes You a Response Letter
Imagine your hero responded to a letter you wrote them. What might they say?
Activity
grades K–5
Secret Messages in Invisible Ink
Find two pieces of paper and put one over the other. Now write something with a pencil, applying as much pressure as possible. The bottom sheet now has the secret message. Shade it gently to read it!

Activity
grades K–5
Design a Treasure Hunt
Write five creative clues that will lead someone to a treasure. Do it outside if you can!

Activity
grades 2–8
Create a Character Profile
Imagine a fictional, yet realistic, person. Write a profile of their life, including traits like physical appearance and personality. Describe their family, school, job, and more.

Article/Ebook
grades 3–6
Telling Stories Without Words
Take a closer look at what it's like to be a photojournalist, and read what one photojournalist has to say about her job.

Article/Ebook
grades 3–8
Lost and Found
After you read the poem, think about what it's like to find something that was lost. Create something (poem, art, etc.) that captures that feeling.

Article/Ebook
grades 3–5
All the Presidents' Pets
Read about some of the most popular, and strangest, pets that have lived in the White House.

Article/Ebook
grades 3–4
Amazon Rain Forest
Read the article on forest life and write three facts you learned.

Article/Ebook
grades 5–6
Penguin Census
Discover how scientists are counting chinstrap penguins in Antarctica. It's part of a global penguin census that will help researchers better understand the Antarctic environment.

Article/Ebook
grades 3–8
Which Season Do You Like Best?
Read the poem and think about the feelings and images the list creates. Then, write a poem or list about your favorite season.

Article/Ebook
grades K–3
Penguins vs. Puffins
Read all about penguins and puffins, then vote for your favorite!

Article/Ebook
grade 3
What Is a Spacewalk?
Learn what a spacewalk is, why astronauts do them, and how they stay safe.

Article/Ebook
grades 3–5
Remembering the March
Read about the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in 1963 and Martin Luther King Jr.'s famous "I Have a Dream" speech.

Article/Ebook
grades 3–12
Essential Black History Texts
Browse, select, and read from this great collection of nonfiction and fiction texts written by Black writers, artists, and activists.

Article/Ebook
grades 3–5
A Winning Team
Meet the president-elect, Joe Biden, and vice president-elect, Kamala Harris, and learn more about their lives.

Article/Ebook
grades 3–6
Seaweed Solution
Can kelp farming help slow climate change? Learn about the pros and cons of producing this underwater resource.

Audio
grades 1–12
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland
Listen to all two hours and 44 minutes of Scarlett Johansson reading this classic tale of madcap adventure.

Audio
grades 1–6
Who Was Sacagawea?
Listen to this audiobook to learn about an amazing teenager who made some of the exploration of North America possible.

Audio
grades K–12
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
Listen to the first volume of L. Frank Baum's classic story as you imagine yourself traipsing through a magical land. Free on iTunes.

Audio
grades 2–5
Captain Underpants
Get ready for some laugh-out-loud potty humor when you listen to this audiobook together (or let your kid listen alone!). Free on Hoopla with a library card.

Audio
Preschool–grade 4
The Cookie Girl
Gather around to listen to the story of a girl who wanted cookies for dinner, plus several other fun short stories in this audiobook.

Audio
grades 4–6
The Unexplainable Disappearance of Mars Patel
Listen to this award-winning podcast performed by kids and see if you can solve the mystery.

Audio
grades 4–6
You Go First
Enjoy this story of two middle school kids, separated by geography, who bond by playing Scrabble online. Free on Hoopla with a library card.

Audio
grades 3–7
Warriors
Listen to the first book in this adventure series about fantasy cats and their elaborate worlds. Free on Hoopla with a library card.

Audio
grades 3–7
Evil Spy School
Explore the Spy School series with this fun, action-packed sequel. Free on Hoopla with a library card.

Audio
grades 3–5
Big Nate
Enjoy the wacky adventures of this underdog who always finds himself in sticky situations. Free on Hoopla with a library card.

Audio
grades 3–5
Little House in the Big Woods
Settle down for a listen to this classic story of frontier life. Free on Hoopla with a library card.

Audio
grades 1–4
My Father's Dragon
Listen to this adventure story of a young boy who runs away to an island with an alley cat. Free on Hoopla with a library card.
Interactive
grades 3–8
Dictionary
Take turns choosing weird words from the dictionary. Have everyone write a pretend definition and try to guess the real one.

Interactive
grades K–3
Build Language Skills
Choose a game and a word list that's the right level, and work on vocabulary, spelling, grammar, and writing.

Lesson
grades 4–12
Letters of Gratitude to Essential Workers
Write a meaningful letter of thanks to essential workers that returns their acts of service and kindness.

Lesson
grade 3
Dig into Reading
Build some reading skills, like main idea and supporting details, in this reading activity that involves a cute little mole.

Lesson
grades 3–6
Storytelling with Words and Pictures
Learn all about the elements of storytelling, then write your own story with a clear setting, conflict, and resolution.

Lesson
grades 5–8
Literary Analysis: The Diary of Anne Frank
Examine what Anne Frank’s writing reveals about how living in hiding changed her over time.

Lesson
grade 3
Plant Adaptations
Compare and contrast two separate informational texts about plants with unique adaptations for survival.

Lesson
grades 1–6
A Truly Creative Curriculum
Move and create along with these high-energy video lessons that are sure to tap into your inner artist, writer, and performer.

Lesson
grades 5–7
Sixth Grade Reading and Vocabulary
Choose your own pathway for this reading course. You can learn by topic or select an area of focus: reading literature, informational texts, or vocabulary.
Video
grades 5–12
Evolution of the Book
What makes a book a book? Learn about the origins of bookmaking from design and fonts to paper and spines.
Video
grades K–3
"Just a Minute: A Trickster Tale and Counting Book"
Watch Latinx author and illustrator Yuyi Morales read her first self-illustrated story and find out who is the trickster and who was tricked.

Video
grades 2–3
To Be a Drum
Listen along as James Earl Jones reads a story of rhythm, history, and freedom.
Video
Preschool–grade 3
Trombone Shorty
Listen to the true story of a boy who discovered his musical talent, worked hard, and grew up to be an award-winning musician.
Video
grades 2–5
Advice from a Favorite Author
Listen to the author of Click, Clack, Moo talk about her writing process and what to do when you feel like you have nothing to write about.
Video
grades K–4
Be Like a Hummingbird
Listen to the tale of the hummingbird, shared by Kenyan environmentalist Wangari Maathai. This excerpt from Dirt! The Movie inspires us to do the best we can.

Video
Preschool–grade 3
No Mirrors in My Nana's House
Listen to this poetic story of a child's love reflected in her Nana's eyes. Plus hear a musical version at the end of the video.
Video
Preschool–grade 3
The Hula-Hoopin' Queen
Listen to Oprah Winfrey read The Hula-Hoopin' Queen and get your hips swingin' and fingers snappin' as you enjoy a story of family and celebration.
Video
grades 2–5
What's a "True" Place?
Find out how a published author comes up with ideas and gets her stories down on paper. How does she keep going when she's stuck?

Video
grades 3–8
How Texts Are Structured
Learn about the essential elements and techniques of well-structured texts. After, find a nonfiction book or article and identify some of these elements.

Video
grades 3–8
Hip-Hop Fundamentals
For aspiring rappers: Learn about the three essential qualities of the art form of hip-hop.

Website/App
Preschool–grade 12
Libby
Check out ebooks and audiobooks from public libraries for free. Read and listen to your selections directly within the app.

Website/App
grades 3–12
Math in Three Languages
Choose a language -- English, Spanish, or Portuguese -- then click on a math concept to get some information. Explore other topics, too!

Website/App
Preschool–grade 12
Great Minds: Knowledge on the Go
Build knowledge with these high-quality, daily instructional video lessons for ELA (grades K–8), math (grades K–12), and science (grades 3–5).

Website/App
grades 5–6
TIME for Kids
Read these kid-friendly articles about current events, cool science facts, and more.

Website/App
Preschool–grade 5
Toontastic 3D
Tell an animated story with fun characters, settings, props, recorded narration, and more. Along the way, learn the elements of a great story.

Website/App
grades 4–10
Frontiers for Young Minds
Read and discuss articles on cutting-edge science discoveries written by scientists and reviewed by kids and teens.

Website/App
grades 1–9
Personalized Writing and Grammar Help
Flex your grammar muscles with this interactive tool. Take the diagnostic quiz, then try some writing activities that are just right for your level.

Website/App
Preschool–grade 3
Stars Telling Stories
Find a favorite book or a beloved celebrity to listen to a story read aloud.

Worksheet
grades 4–5
The Celebration of Kwanzaa
Read about Kwanzaa's history and meaning in the passage, and then do some research to learn more.

Worksheet
grades 3–8
Recipe Zine
With a little folding and loads of creativity, use this template to make a recipe for yourself, a family member or friend, or anything!

Worksheet
grades 3–4
Gratitude for Grammar
Use these Thanksgiving-themed sentences to practice parts of speech.

Worksheet
grades 1–8
Writing Inspiration
Print out this packet of activities that get you writing and thinking in new ways.

Worksheet
grades 1–3
What Does Winter Mean to You?
Use this writing prompt to reflect on what winter means to you and how you know when winter has arrived.

Worksheet
grades 3–4
Recipe Poems
Cook up some creative writing with this fun poetry activity. What's your recipe for Family? How about for School Holiday?

Worksheet
grades 1–3
Daily Writing Prompts
Make a routine out of writing with these daily prompts. Print out a new calendar at the start of each month.

Worksheet
grades 3–12
Creative Quick-Writes
Choose (at random) one of the prompts and spend some time writing. If it goes well, carve out some time each day to do more.

Worksheet
grades 1–3
What Do Plants Need?
Learn what plants need and design a journal to keep your drawings and other important information you've learned.