Bookstore
Select several different types of books (ABC, fiction, fairy tale, poetry, nursery rhyme, cookbook, magazine, etc.) and place them in a cloth shopping bag. Explain that you went to a bookstore and you need help labeling the books. On the front of index cards write: poem, nursery rhyme, fantasy, real, alphabet, etc. Children take the cards and match them up with the appropriate book. Encourage them to explain to a friend how they made their selections.
Fantasy – Real
Give children old magazines, newspapers, scissors, and glue. Fold a piece of paper in half and draw a line down the middle crease to make a T-chart. Write “Fantasy” on one side and “Real” on the other side. Have children cut out pictures of things that are pretend/fantasy and glue on one side. Ask them to cut out pictures of things that are real and glue them to the other side. Can they explain the difference?
*Explain that “fantasy,” “pretend,” and “fiction” all mean the same thing. “Real” and “non-fiction” can also mean the same thing.
Book Club Order Forms
Save those book club order forms for identifying different types of texts. Give children a list and have them cut out books for each category.
Poems
Story
Real
How to
Series
Your favorite
Author Study
Keep a basket in your classroom library with a variety of books by a specific author. Have the children look through the basket to explore how the books are alike? How are they different? Let them make a “wish list” of the ones they would like to read.
Buddy Reading
Have two copies of leveled books for children to read with a friend. Sitting on the floor facing each other they repeat this chant:
Eye to eye
And knee to knee
I’m so glad
You can read with me.
After reading encourage them to discuss what type of book it is. Can they give examples?