Reading worksheets can be used to teach important concepts as well as for review. These worksheets are used in helping students with reading comprehension and a variety of literary concepts. The content of these worksheets includes articles, essays, poetry and stories, all geared toward making students better readers.
Benefits of Reading Worksheets
There are many reluctant readers, even among those students who are homeschooled. What can you do to get these readers interested? Reading worksheets can help to stimulate interest by providing blocks of material that are easily digested by the reader. Reading material that is provided on one or two sheets of paper, as opposed to that found within a textbook, may encourage some readers who are intimidated by thick hardcover books. These worksheets can help students learn a variety of concepts, all of which can be taught in small increments.
Once a student has had success with reading worksheets, they are more likely to take on bigger projects, such as paperback books and eventually much larger textbooks. It is all about making reading easier and more interesting, so that the student will be able to tackle longer books with a more extensive vocabulary and deeper content level.
Reading Worksheet Concepts
Reading worksheets can be used to teach children who are beginning readers, all the way through high school. While beginning readers are just learning the skills necessary for reading, advanced students can benefit from reading comprehension. After all, what is the point of reading quickly if you can't remember anything that you have read?
The following just a few of the concepts that can be taught using worksheets:
- Word Meanings
- Comprehension
- Context
- Synonyms
- Antonyms
- Poetry
- Inference
- Main Ideas
- Cause and Effect
- Facts and Opinions
- Sequencing
- Summarizing
- Idioms
- Similes
- Metaphors
The majority of reading worksheets are presented with the reading passage first, followed by questions that can be answered with true or false, multiple choices or a short answer format.
Make Your Own Worksheets
Homeschooling parents often create their own curriculum. There aren't always worksheets available that can assist them in teaching concepts from books that aren't in the mainstream. For example, if a parent is using a primer from the 1940's, odds are they won't find a corresponding worksheet on the Internet today. In this case, parents can elect to create their own worksheets that address information found within a particular book.
Creating a worksheet really isn't difficult, and they may be handwritten or created on the computer. A copier can be used to include poems and reading selections from favorite books for these worksheets. Questions, in any chosen format, can be included at the end of the worksheet.
Alternatively, parents may also create their own worksheets that help students learn generalized concepts online. If you're interested in creating worksheets using free online software, the following websites can assist you with this:
- Test Designer
- School Express
- Edit Prep -- offers free trial software that you can try before you buy
Worksheets Online
If you're looking to add to your collection of reading worksheets, the following websites provide these, free of charge.
- RHL School - for grades 3-12
- Teach-Nology - for grades 3-12.
- Ed Helper - for all grade levels, including kindergarten. Offers many free worksheets, though a subscription is required for total access on this website.
- Education.com
Worksheets can be a valuable tool in assisting your child in learning to read and comprehend what they have read. Children of every age can learn from worksheets, which can be geared to their specific learning level and areas that need reinforcing. Parents can easily generate worksheets for their children, either by creating them or by downloading them from popular education websites. If your child is struggling with a reading concept or simply could benefit from reviewing them, consider using reading worksheets for this purpose. The end result will be well worth the minimal effort!
