My Guided Reading Suitcase

You just found out you that you are headed to Hawaii!  It’s time to pack.  You’ll need all the essentials for a warm and festive vacation.  Sounds good, right?  Young emerging readers have that same excitement about the new world of reading they are exploring.  Today, we are packing the guided reading suitcases full of essentials that beginning readers need.

A guided reading suitcase is a place for new readers to keep all of the important items for their reading adventure.  It’s all kept in one spot for easy access.   They even have a handle for hanging.  Best of all, they won’t cost you a premium price. They are made from a recycled paper bag.

Guided Reading Suitcase

Full Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.

Making the Guided Reading Suitcase

Materials needed: one paper grocery bag with handles, Duck tape (we choose this traveling theme), scissors

First, cut the bag in half.  Cut right above the bottom of the bag section.

Cut along the seam on each side to create two separate pieces.

Turn the pieces so that the writing on the bag will be inside the suitcase.  Trim the bottom of the bag to get your two pockets.

Now, it’s time to use your Duck tape and assemble the pieces.

1.  Place one part of the suitcase on the table followed by the two pocket pieces.  Then sandwich with the last side of the suitcase.  Tape your bottom seam.
2. Open up the suitcase and place another piece of tape right down the middle.
3. Tape the two folded pieces on each side of the suitcase.
4. Put a little extra tape at the top of each pocket to hold it in place.

Time to decorate the front and add more tape if you choose.

Filling the Guided Reading Suitcase

Now it’s time to add the reading tools to the suitcase.

First, you need readers that fit the developmental level of the child.  We love to use the printable books from The Measured Mom.  Here are two of our favorite sets.

134 Phonics Readers

108 Sight Word Books

A reading pointer is also handy for tracking.

I also added a dry erase board by slipping a piece of cardstock into a page protector.  Place a dry erase marker and paper towel inside too.

Now, it’s time to read, read, read!

RELATED POSTS

Favorite Easy Readers

10 Strategies When You are Stuck on a Word

Literacy Activities for Beginning Readers

P.S. For more great book recommendations and  literacy ideas, we send out a weekly newsletter. You can see a sample here.  If you like what you see, sign up to receive it for FREE each week.