Teaching Materials

These research-based resources and lesson plans are designed for a variety of audiences to contribute to Pennsylvania and national core curriculum in support of the Pennsylvania Center for the Book's mission to promote books and literacy to the citizens of the Commonwealth.

Lesson Plans

Interactive Literacy Activity
Image
Book Covers of Baker's Dozen alphabet-themed books

Alphabet

Connect letters to sounds through playful ABC activities, alliteration, and vocabulary-building fun.

Interactive Literacy Activity
Image
The Rabbit Listened book cover with illustration of small child embracing a rabbit

Building Blocks

Families explore how block play supports literacy, problem-solving, and meaningful connection.

Interactive Literacy Activity
Image
Covers of Baker's Dozen Counting Books

Counting

Build early math skills with counting books and playful number-based activities.

Interactive Literacy Activity
Image
Cover images of Baker's Dozen Friendship Selections

Friendship

Friendship-themed books foster empathy, cooperation, and social-emotional growth.

Interactive Literacy Activity
Image
Cover of After the Fall: How Humpty Dumpty Got Back Up Again by Dan Santat

Growth Mindset Takes Flight

Caregivers and children will use hands-on building activities to reinforce growth mindset strategies and positive modeling. 

Interactive Literacy Activity
Image
Cover image of Catch Me if You Can! by Bernard Most

Imaginative Play

Get the whole family involved in a game of hide and seek using phrases from the book, Catch Me If You Can!

Interactive Literacy Activity
Image
Cover Image of King and Kayla and the Case of the Missing Dog Treats

Looking for Clues

Engage in shared reading as parents/caregivers demonstrate the "five-finger rule" and context clues.

Interactive Literacy Activity
Image
cover of They All Saw a Cat by Brendan Wenzel with Caldecott seal

Notice, Think, and Wonder

Caregivers will read They All Saw a Cat with their children, practicing explicit and implicit questions to build observation skills, reasoning, and perspective-taking.

Interactive Literacy Activity
Image
Cover images of Baker's Dozen Prehistoric Selections

Prehistoric

From towering T. rexes to ancient mammoths, young readers explore prehistoric worlds while building vocabulary, storytelling, and early science connections.

Interactive Literacy Activity
Image
 Big Mooncake For Little Star

Questions to Build Comprehension

Families explore who, what, where, when, why, and how questions to build children's comprehension.

Interactive Literacy Activity
Image
Cover image of Move Over Rover, white dog in doghouse with mouse peering in

Retelling with Puppets

Encourage collaborative storytelling and foster creativity by using puppets to retell Move Over, Rover! 

Interactive Literacy Activity
Image
cover image of A Tree for Me by Nancy Van Laan

Rhythm Shakers

Experience the rhythm of A Tree for Me through a DIY shaker creation activity.

Interactive Literacy Activity
Image
cover of Put It on the List by Kristen Darbyshire

Sorting Food

Parents/caregivers use their foundation in nutrition and a balanced plate to help their children sort food into categories

Interactive Literacy Activity
Image
Book Covers of Baker's Dozen vehicle-themed books

Vehicles

From fire trucks to race cars, young readers engage in hands-on learning and literacy-rich pretend play with their favorite vehicles.

Interactive Literacy Activity
Image
Book Covers of Baker's Dozen Wordless books

Wordless

Wordless books inspire storytelling, vocabulary growth, and multilingual family engagement.