ALL reading products are research-based with simple instructions and clear answer keys.
Be sure to check out more complete information about specific products in the PRODUCTS section of our Menu.
The latest brain research indicates that humans remember in patterns, and the latest research into fluency indicates that 47% of non-proficient students have trouble decoding words. This affects fluent reading and comprehension.
Our games and puzzles provide targeted, extensive, and enjoyable extra practice in the most common letters, sounds, phonograms (word families), homonyms, and English grammar. We also have some products that improve comprehension and composition (writing).
Reading and writing proficiency develops from repeated, correct practice, rather than from teaching phonics or grammar rules. That is the beauty of these activities!
Many students need more practice in certain skills, due to absence, learning style, acquisition rate, or ability to concentrate.
The simple, repetitive formats are easily adapted to large or small groups. In this age of electronic game-savvy kids, never underestimate the value of simple human interaction in game format.
As practice, they are so much better than extra workbook pages!
Levels K-3
Learn to Read Bingo (LTR)
These Bingo Games focus on the auditory recognition and visual matching of sounds, letters, and the most common word families in primary English texts.
Each set includes 24 different, classroom-tested cards, and they use a traditional 25 space format to provide lots of practice.
They also contain clear instructions for easy use in large or small groups.
Learn to Read Bingo (LTR): Beginning & Ending Consonant Sounds (2 games in 1)
Learn to Read Bingo (LTR): Consonant Blends
Learn to Read Bingo (LTR): Short Vowel Families
Learn to Read Bingo (LTR): Long Vowel Families
Learn to Read Bingo (LTR): Beginning & Ending Consonant Digraphs ( 2 games in 1)
Learn to Read Bingo (LTR): Consonants, Blends, Digraphs, Bargain Bundle
Learn to Read Bingo (LTR): Vowel Families Bargain Bundle
Sight Word Kits + Learn To Read (LTR) BINGO
Throw away all other Sight Word sets!
Don’t overload beginning or struggling readers with too much rote memorization!
These kits are effective, research-based, and enjoyable.
They include the 100 most common, high-frequency, irregular sight words that beginning or struggling readers need to know.
Learn to Read (LTR): Best Sight Word Kit A + BINGO
Learn to Read (LTR): Best Sight Word Kit B + BINGO
Learn to Read (LTR): Best Sight Words Kit A & B Bargain Bundle
Listening Skills: Four Audience Participation Plays
Effective! Fun! No Memorization! Easy to Use!
A great way to focus class attention on listening to the teacher and to other students.
These four plays contain short, group parts for an entire class. After parts are assigned, the teacher reads the story, and the student groups provide the appropriate words for their roles.
The First Day of School 
is a FREE product preview.
The Set of 4 Audience Participation Plays also includes instructions for several other listening activities.
Useful at any time, it is especially helpful at the beginning of the school year to focus student attention on listening to the teacher and to each other.
It is also useful when students seem bored and need some motivation to continue working in class.
Really Fun!!!
Enjoy the smiles!
Reading Tutor Packets for Decoding
Fun and effective! These Tutor Packets include guidance for determining individual student needs and direction for instruction. Each packet includes five stories, levels K-4 for diagnosis of reading problems, Instructions for Use, a Reading Profile, a Retelling Profile, A Reading Self-Help Test, Worksheets for Vowel and Sight Word Instruction (Levels 1 & 2), as well as applicable Word Searches for extra practice and fun.
Reading Tutor Packet: Level 1 Decoding
Reading Tutor Packet: Level 2 Decoding
Reading Tutor Packet: Level 3 Decoding
Self-Help Tests All FREE! 
Test-takers are asked to honestly evaluate themselves in comparison to a series of statements that exemplify the best qualities in reading, studying, or parenting.
Clear statements and a simple format make the tests easy for self-evaluation and improvement.
1. Student Self-Help Reading Habits Test (Grades 1-2)
2. Parent Self-Evaluation Test
3. Parent Guide to Kindergarten Readiness
Self-Help Tests for grades 3 and higher are listed under Levels 3-12.
Strega Nona Sequencing Cards
Kids love this activity because they get to move around the classroom, and it is actually a great way to practice the important reading strategy of sequencing events.
Vowels in Context
Great extra practice for beginning or struggling readers! The repeated format of consistent clusters encourages natural remembering of these double vowel combinations. Students come to recognize the consistent patterns with few rules. That is the beauty of this type of repeated practice! 10 worksheets consist of approximately 25 words for each cluster and 10 or more sentences with blanks to be filled in. They correspond directly to parts of Reading Spotlight’s VOWEL TUTOR Level 2 instruction sheets and provide extra practice in a different format (use of context to decode), but with familiar fundamental English clusters. Unlike some phonics worksheets, simple word choice enables most students to complete these exercises independently.
Vowels In Context Part 3 (Sentene Completion Exercises)
Great extra practice for beginning or struggling readers! Designed for extra training in difficult, irregular vowels, it complements the Vowel Tutor Level 3 series, but it can be used as a stand alone set. It is a helpful next step because, while it reinforces the cluster approach to phonics, it also provides practice pages for using context to decode words. Unlike some phonics worksheets, simple word choice enables most students to complete them independently. The repeated format of consistent clusters encourages natural remembering of these difficult vowel combinations.Students come to recognize the consistent patterns with few rules. That is the beauty of these worksheets! 10 pages consist of approximately 25 words for each cluster and 10 or more sentences with blanks to be filled in. Included: ar + or , er + ir + ur, oy + oi, oo + oo, ou, ow + ow, ew, aw + au
Vowels in Context Part 4 (Syllables: A Better Way Sentence Completion Exercises)
Make it simple for students to decode 2, 3, and 4 syllable words. Help students recognize common clusters in longer words, pronouncing most syllables as previously learned clusters. Beginning or struggling readers should NOT have to learn complicated rules for syllabication. We use familiar common English clusters to encourage “syllabication.”
Where the Wild Things Are Sequencing Activity
Sequencing events in correct time order is an important skill to introduce early.
This template for drawing and sequencing 4 events from the famous book by Maurice Sendak contains
clear instructions for its use in large or small groups. The letter “w” is also reinforced.
Word Search Puzzles: Short Vowels
Practicing phonics skills does not have to be boring!
Levels 4-6
Charlotte’s Web: Unique Before & After Reading Strategies
This set includes:
1. Introduction to Outlining–-Activate prior knowledge about farms while introducing this important study skill
2. Final Exam (33 items)–MORE than just a test, it teaches students how to choose the best answer in a multiple choice exam
3. Story Sequencing Cards— Sequence events from the novel in a new way–especially good for many students who struggle with conceptualizing events in correct time order. Also includes instructions for making a Story Quilt.
4. Crossword Puzzle––Using vocabulary and characters from the novel.
5. Chapter By Chapter Questioning Strategies —Includes Research-based Questions, Writing Prompts, and Story & Character Maps & Diagrams.
Each is available individually at a nominal price or as a Charlotte’s Web Bargain Bundle.
Trumpet of the Swan
1. Chapter By Chapter Review Questions –includes research-based que stioning strategies
2. Crossword Puzzle –uses characters and vocabulary from the novel
3. Final Exam— more than just a final exam, this test helps students learn how to choose the best answer in a multiple choice exam
4. Journal Writing and Vocabulary-– important vocabulary from each chapter, plus writing prompts related to the chapter and to the lives of children for writing encouragement
5. Origami Swan-– simple swan with easy to follow directions
6. Story Sequencing Cards–sequencing events from the novel in a unique way, plus a worksheet; especially helpful to students who have difficulty conceptualizing time order
How to Eat Fried Worms
1. Short Answer Questions— factual recall and inference questions for this funny book
2. Word Search Puzzle— vocabulary, characters, and event from the novel
Inferences & Details: Comprehension Cups
This metacognition Learning Center Activity helps readers see the big picture in factual and inferential comprehension. It helps students conceptualize text into the information that it provides. All that is needed is a shoebox and 6 plastic cups labeled Who? What? When? Where? How?
Three sets (360 phrases) and complete directions included. perfect for metacomprehension strategies! Comprehension Cups
Valentine & Adjectives: Little Love Letters
Encourage friendliness and community in classes while learning vocabulary at the same time! These Little Love Letters are a perfect Valentine activity while also improving word power with synonym matching of adjectives. Complete directions and Answer Key included. Little Love Letters
Main Idea Category Cards
This enjoyable category game is a helpful way to get kids thinking in broad terms about main idea and supporting details. It is also useful for verbal communication skills, allowing students to organize thoughts and speak in front of an audience in a short, non-threatening exercise. Enjoy the smiles! Main Idea Category Cards
Making Inferences with Life Mottos
These life mottos are truisms derived from centuries of human experiences. When matching the adages to their meanings, students practice making inferences, a difficult skill for some. The students are required to infer the underlying meaning, and then match the meanings to the adages. These four short lessons are effective and enjoyable experiences in inferential comprehension. Making Inferences with Life Mottos
Reading Tutor Bingo Games
These Bingo games focus on identifying more difficult clusters and the actual reading of words. Eight classroom-tested Bingo cards use the traditional 25 space Bingo format for increased extra practice. They have been utilized effectively in larger groups by making several copies of the cards. Clear instructions are included. For a more complete description of the covered clusters, find more information in the Details for the Product.
1. Reading Tutor Bingo (RT): Silent e
2. Reading Tutor Bingo (RT): Long Vowel Teams
3. Reading Tutor Bingo (RT): Difficult Clusters Set A
4. Reading Tutor Bingo: (RT): Difficult Clusters Set B
Reading Difficult Clusters Sets A & B is available in a Bargain Bundle
Syllable Matching Game
Just like magic –see small parts of words in larger words. Three sets of 20 words helps readers learn how to put chunks (syllables) into meaningful words. Syllable Matching Game
Tall Tale Grammar Stories
Grammar practice does not have to be boring!
The American frontier was vast and harsh as it was developing in the 19th century. Tales of men and women who were bigger than life and who triumphed over adversities were a common form of entertainment as people sat by their firesides. Like the myths and folktales of previous civilizations, some had a basis in truth, and others were entirely made up by the story tellers. These tales are an effort to combine grammar practice with a bit of Americana and enjoyment.
Each 20-30 sentence story provides enjoyable practice in the most common grammatical errors in
apostrophe
capitalization
comparative adjectives & adverbs
homophones
irregular plurals
irregular verbs
run-on sentences & sentence fragments
punctuation
subject–verb agreement
changing “y” to “i”
They are easy to use and to grade, if desired, because each sentence includes only one grammatical error. Students enjoy trying to find it!
Every story includes an Answer Key PLUS an explanation for each correction. A short extra credit Writing Prompt is added, as well as a Corrected Version in Paragraph Form.
1. Johnny Appleseed FREE!
Tall Tales Set A
1. Annie Oakley–Sharpshooter
2. Big Mose–N.Y.Fireman
3. Hiawatha–Native American Hero
4. Joe Magarac–Steelworker
5. Stormalong–Sailor
Tall Tales Set B
1. Casey Jones–Railroad Engineer
2. Febold Feboldson–Weatherman
3. John Henry__Tunnel Digger
4. Paul Bunyan–Lumberjack
5. Sally Cato–Giant Schemer
Tall Tales Set C
1. Kit Carson–Mountain Man
2. Davy Crockett–Frontiersman
3. Paleface Lightning–Spirit Warrior
4. Pecos Bill–Human Coyote
5. Slue Foot Sue–Lively Cowgirl
Tall Tales Set D
1. Annie Christmas–Keelboat Captain
2. Buffalo Bill–Wild West Scout
3. Maui–Sun Fighter
4. Sally Fink–Keelboat Savior
5. Sedna–Mother of the Sea
All Four Tall Tales Grammar Sets are available as a Bargain Bundle.
Vowel Tutor Sets
Simple! Clear! Effective! Great instruction or extra practice for beginning or struggling readers! The set is perfect for group or individualized instruction in decoding and spelling. Emphasis is placed on automatic reading of words in order to improve decoding, phrasing, and speed, rather than focusing on the meaning of words. Word definition is a different lesson for a different time.
The repeated format encourages natural remembering of vowel clusters. The English language is 95% regular, but beginning and struggling readers don’t often realize this. Since the brain remembers in patterns, these sheets aid in remembering and retrieving the basic structure of short vowel clusters in English. Many phonics worksheets confuse beginning and struggling readers by combining too many phonics rules on one page.
Vowel Tutor Set Level 1 covers Short Vowel Clusters
Vowel Tutor Level 2 covers silent e vowels, r-controlled vowels, double vowels, some silent consonants, and reading of contractions.
Vowel Tutor Level 3 covers difficult vowel combinations.
Word Search Puzzles
Practice difficult sounds, clusters and silent letters with Word Search Puzzles.
The extra practice these puzzles provide helps to imprint the words for more automatic recognition.
All puzzles use lower case letters because most print is lower case. All answers can be found Across and Down only because diagonal and backwards defeats the purpose of this exercise.
Great for homework, seatwork, and/or learning centers. The Answer Keys are included, and all puzzles are available individually or in a bargain bundle.
Word Search Bargain Bundle: Consonants
Word Search: Silent Consonants
Word Search Bargain Bundle: Vowels
Word Search: Regular Double (Long) Vowels
Word Search: R-Controlled Vowels
Word Search Set: Difficult Vowels
Six word search puzzles cover these difficult decoding clusters:
au (+ aw ) oi ( + oy ) ou
oo ow ew
The extra practice helps for automatic word recognition and improved fluency.
Word Search –le At the End of a Word
Phonics practice does not have to be boring!
Levels 4 –12
Grammar Review Stories
Improve grammar, spelling, and writing skills! Each 20-30 sentence story provides practice in the most common grammatical errors in
apostrophe
capitalization
changing “y” to “i”
comparative adjectives & adverbs
homophones
irregular plurals
irregular verbs
punctuation
run-on sentences and sentence fragments
subject–verb agreement
Every story includes an Answer Key PLUS explanations for each correction. An extra credit Writing Prompt and a Corrected Version in paragraph form have been added at the end of each story. Simple to use and to grade.
Grammar Stories: Careers
Many students today have no idea what career might suit their individual interests and skills. Instead of using unrelated sentences to review grammar, spelling, and writing skills, they can also learn about numerous job possibilities and careers.
1. Careers in the Media
2. Careers in Health Services
3. Careers in the Military
4. Careers in Government
5. Careers in the Arts
6. Careers in the Trades
Grammar Sports Stories
Learn about the history and contests in various sports while reviewing grammar and spelling skills.
Grammar Review: History of Sports
Using the same format as ALL Reading Spotlight Grammar Stories, this set also includes both a Class and an Individual Error Analysis Chart to help to focus grammar instruction on class or student strengths and weaknesses.
1.Soccer
2.Basketball
3.Cricket
4.Tennis
5.Hockey
6.Football
7.Martial arts
8.Volleyball
9.Field and Track
10.Baseball
Grammar Review: The Summer Games
Use the hype of the Summer Olympics to review grammar and spelling skills–perfect to prepare for school, state, or other writing tests. Motivating! Effective! Fun!
1. The History
2.The Athletic Sports
3. The Aquatic Sports
4. At the Gym
5. The Other Sports
Grammar Review: The Winter Games
Use the hype of the Winter Olympics to review grammar and spelling skills–perfect to prepare for school, state, or other writing tests. Motivating! Effective! Fun!
1. The History
2. The Ice Sports
3. The Snow Sports
4. The Miracle on Ice
Grammar Review: Holiday Traditions
Practice grammar and spelling skills while learning about common Christmas traditions. These stories contain historical and cultural information, and an effort has been made to have the grammar practice as secular as possible.
1. Holiday Tree
2. Holiday Star
3. Colored Lights and Ornaments
4. Greeting Cards
5. Holiday Foods
6. Holiday Plants
7. Santa Claus
8. Carols
Halloween Candy Wrapper Stories
A great way to facilitate student writing!
Using candy wrappers, students, individually or in teams, insert candy wrappers into the text of the stories they write.
Clear instructions make this project easy to use.
Some possible titles might be:
Baby Ruth Lost in New York
Matt and Mindy (M & M) Soar Through the Milky Way
Never Snicker at Nerds
Grammar Crossword Puzzles Bundle
Unique and effective! Use crossword puzzles to practice English grammar skills!
Research indicates that homophones are, by far, the number one cause of spelling errors.
This set of 5 crossword puzzles provides practice in 80 of the most common homophone sets in English.
Easy to use Answer Keys are included.
Great for seat work, homework, or Learning Centers.
Collective Nouns Crossword Puzzle
Irregular Past Tense Verbs Crossword Puzzles
Irregular Plurals Crossword Puzzle # 1
Irregular Plurals Crossword Puzzles #2 & #3
Homophone Practice with Fun Facts
Unique way to practice homophones–with interesting, and sometimes surprising facts!
Self-Help Tests: Reading Habits & Study Habits
All are FREE! 
Test takers are asked to honestly evaluate themselves in comparison to a series of statements that exemplify the best qualities necessary for good reading and/or study habits.
Clear statements and a simple format make the tests easy for self-evaluation. Students are asked to make an improvement statement at the end.
Reading Habits Self-Help Test (Grades 3-12)
Study Habits Self-Help Test (Grades 3-12)
Reading Comprehension Self-Help Test (Grades 3-8)
Understanding What I Read Self-Help Test (Grades 3-8)
Providing explicit instruction in how to read for understanding, this test follows a different format–completion blanks. It can be used with almost any reading selection.
Designed for students who have difficulty organizing their thoughts into an effective essay, th
is two page test provides an effective format, making for much easier composition.
Retelling Profiles
These charts and instructions for use provide a helpful strategy for insight into the thinking process of students who seem to be fluent readers, but their comprehension skills are not up to expectations.
Spelling
Irregular Plurals Crossword Puzzle –a fun way to practice 40 irregular plural nouns in English.
Misspelled Words Crossword Puzzle –practice 90 of the most often misspelled words in English, misspelled by both adults and children.
Vocabulary
Collective Nouns Crossword Puzzle
A different way to improve vocabulary! Unique! Effective! Easy to Use! This Crossword Puzzle includes almost 50 plurals naming animal groups. An Answer Key is included.
Vocabulary Improvement Made Easy—and Fun! Students can improve word power while having fun completing these three different puzzles with words from Latin and Greek origins. Twelve roots are used in each puzzle with three or more words derived from each source–a minimum of 36 new words per puzzle. A bonus page of 14 Rather Questions using additional words is included for extra fun and to help imprint the new vocabulary effectively.
These sets of worksheets provide extensive vocabulary and spelling improvement through practice with the prefix “in” using various formats.
100 words are used in Definition Matching, Completions Exercises, Rather Questions, and Crossword Puzzles.
They are divided into manageable lessons and different formats to improve retention rate.
An extra credit Writing Prompt and complete Answer Keys are included.
This set is great for homework, seat work learning centers, vocabulary development for SAT and other tests.
Women’s History Bio-Texts
This set of 8 one-page biographies provides practice in vowels, spelling, and comprehension. Recognizing sentence structure and meaning improves comprehension.
An Answer Key provides easy grading.
Set 1 includes 4 modern women:
1. Fabiola Gianotti–Physicist
2. Maya Lin–Architect
3. Georgia O’Keefe–Artist
4. Sally Ride–Astronaut
Set 2 includes 4 historical figures:
1. Susan B. Anthony–Early Suffragette
2. Elizabeth Blackwell–First American Doctor
3. Sacajawea–Wilderness Guide
4. Harriet Tubman–Daring Abolitionist
Female Firsts Crossword Puzzle
Perfect for Women’s History Month!
Inspiring! Motivating! Informative! Easy to Use!
This crossword puzzle matches the names of 32 modern female trailblazers with their notable accomplishments. Answer Key included.
The puzzle is useful for homework, seatwork, and learning centers.
ALL Levels
Independent Reading Packet
Independent reading hooks kids on reading because they can choose their own books according to their own interests. At the same time, they can practice previously taught reading skills and improve in many ways. This packet also includes ideas for incentives and rewards that are free or inexpensive. Students who read independently accrue superior vocabularies, higher reading scores, better writing skills, and improved reading rate.
Perfect for at-school, summer, or distance learning!
An Invisible Valentine
Very Clever! Simple! Easy to Make! Great Fun!
Yes, it really is INVISIBLE!
This Invisible Valentine can be used with ALL ages–as a science experiment, as an exercise in composition, even as simple practice with scissors.
Just white and colored paper, scissors, a stapler, and a pencil are the only requirements.
Clear directions for use with all ages are included.
Download now and find out how to do it. It’s FREE!
Enjoy the smiles!
ALL SPORTS Reading Comprehension Activity
Easy to Make and to Use!
Use the media Hype of a sports’ Big Game to motivate reading improvement!
This photo-caption matching game can be used for any sport at any level.
Simple directions tell you how! Includes paper medals to award.
Reading Profile
Be that great teacher all parents want for their children! Use this exceptional, ordered list of fundamental reading skills to gauge the reading abilities of each of your students. You can add to the profile as you learn more about each student.
This individual outline can direct more effective grouping strategies within the class, as well as more beneficial individualized homework assignments. And it’s really helpful for your struggling readers!
Parents will be surprised in conferences at how much you know about their particular child’s reading skills. it’s nice to begin with some student strengths, which this profile helps to identify.
Instructions include how the profile has been used in individual, small, and large group classes.
Story Grid
Great for writer’s block!
This famous story grid helps kids of all ages create a story with new ideas for setting, characters, and plot.
A blank grid, a partially-completed grid, a sample story, and instructions for use are included.
Developed over 30 years of successful experiences with struggling readers of all ages.
Summer Reading Packet
Easy to use for busy parents and teachers!
Independent reading in the summer hooks kids on reading because they can choose their own books according to their own interests. At the same time, they can practice previously taught reading skills and improve in many ways.
The books, however, should be fairly close their reading levels.
Use Reading Spotlight’s QRLE to assess approximate reading level. Find out how to do it here:
Reading success is cumulative, as is reading decline.
Students who read independently become better and more motivated
students who read independently accrue superior vocabularies, higher reading scores, better writing skills, and improved reading rate.
This packet includes:
- Parent Letter
- Questions from educational research that improve reading motivation
- A simple Record Sheet
- Ideas for incentives and rewards that are free or inexpensive
Students who read independently accrue superior vocabularies, higher reading scores, better writing skills, and improved reading rate.
Perfect for at-school, summer, or distance learning!