Beginning Chapter Book Activities

Moving readers from picture books to chapter books can sometimes be a struggle.  Children are required to remember what they have read for longer periods of time and be able to pick out the most important events.  We have put together the activities below to help your students build confidence in their ability to read chapter books.  These activities also allow children to show you where they are struggling.

Story Map  A story map designed for chapter books.  It includes all of the aspects of other story maps but also asks children to list three important events along with a problem and solution.

Summary Booklet  Students record the key details from the story and write a sentence or two about each chapter.  They may also draw a picture to show an event from the chapte.  This allows you to check comprehension after children read each chapter.  When students complete their work, they can cut the pages in half and make their own booklet.

Sequencing  Students write the story details and then a sentence to tell about each chapter.  You can then have children cut out their strips and practice sequencing the events.  You may decide to have your students leave off the chapter number to create more of a challenge.

Retelling  Students complete the organizer and then write a complete paragraph retelling their book.