What’s an easy way to share your love of literacy with the whole family this month? Family literacy talks! Use these literacy talking topics during dinner, on the walk home from school, or whenever you have few minutes to chat.
- Brainstorm books that would be great to read in February. Discuss why they are best for this month. Think Valentine’s Day, Black History Month, Presidents Day, American Heart Month, winter, Groundhog Day, or friendship. One of my favorite friendship stories is pictured above. It’s Amos and Boris, by William Steig. (Affiliate link.)
- Describe something or someone you love. Choose the best descriptive words and phrases, and think about why you chose those particular descriptors.
- Make up a story about a topic related to February. Work together to decide on the setting, characters and plot. Discuss the choices you make as a storyteller. For example, how would you convey what it feels like to be in a particular setting? How would you let the events unfold, to make the story most interesting? How might the characters be affected by the setting and the events in the story?
- Make up a poem about something you love. The topic could be serious or funny. Write about your love for your grandmother, or your love for french toast! Take turns saying lines until the poem is complete.
- Discuss what you know about Black History Month. If you were going to write a book about it, what would you write as the first sentence? What would be the main idea? Which details would you use to support your main idea? Where could you go for more information?
- Brainstorm some great February words and talk about how you could use them this month. For example, try using the word cardiovascular or endearment. Use toys to create something that represents your new words. Here’s an example. Or for more February vocabulary fun, explore homophones with these silly valentine printables. (Below.)
- Take turns giving step-by-step directions explaining how to make a new friend. One person can give directions while the other person pretends to do the activity.
- Talk through the steps involved in assembling valentines, or in making another seasonal craft. Take turns describing the steps. (This is a great skill to practice with kids. I’ve learned the hard way that I should always take a minute to think through the steps before launching into craft projects!)
- Take turns giving clues to describe a place, thing or activity that you love. Clues should go from general to detailed. See if your partner can guess correctly in three clues or less.
- List words that rhyme with February words like heart, love, friend, etc. Discuss the spelling of the rhyming words. Do you see a pattern? By the way, I’m pretty sure I can guess what my boys will say when I ask them what rhymes with the word “heart.” Ah, rhyming is fun!
