As many of us know, it's hard to get kids, and even adults, to read. This year GRIP has decided to make an extra effort to increase literacy among our mentoring pairs. People have many different ways of getting kids to read, but the easiest way that we have found is to make it fun!
By incorporating reading and writing into pair activities, the mentees get a chance to connect learning and literacy with something fun and worthwhile. Below are listed several activities that involve literacy and fun!
I'm Going on a Trip
Directions:
1. Begin with the phrase. I'm going on a trip and I'm going to pack... Each player decides how to finish the sentence. If the mentee is young, pick a theme or a category.
2. The first player might begin: I'm going on a trip and I'm going to pack a book.
3. The second player repeat the phrase with the first player's item and an item of their own
4. Continue with each player repeating all the previous items and adding something new until someone makes a mistake.
5. Once your done you can draw a suitcase and fill in everything you took!
Creative Brainstorming
1. Show the mentee an everyday item (comb, fork, pencil, etc.)
2. Have the mentee take 5 minutes to brainstorm creative uses for this item. For example: a comb might be a musical instrument, a fork might be a comb or a backscratcher, etc.
Variations
~Both mentor and mentee can come up with ideas independently and then share them with each other. If the mentee is enthusiastic about one idea, create a story about it or encourage them to bring something else they'd like to brainstorm about in the next week.
Cookbooking
Find a recipe online or bring a cookbook to the pair meeting
1. Have the mentee read the recipe to you and draw together a plate or bowl with the necessary ingredients.
2. Plan out meals that you or your mentee like to eat and have them write down recipes, ingredients, etc.
3. If you both like to cook, make a mini cookbook throughout the year and let them have it at the end!
Hopefully these gave you some great ideas about what to do with your mentees, children or students! Obviously there are plenty more ideas where these came from. Design some of your own and feel free to send me your ideas and thoughts in the comment section below.
