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Language Arts and Literacy Activities

Access Hundreds of Fun and Free Language Arts and Literacy Activities for Your Afterschool Program

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Free Language Arts and Literacy Activities for Your Out-of-Sch00l Time Program

Language arts and literacy lessons can unlock creativity, critical thinking, and even a lifelong love of the English language.

However, finding language arts and literacy activities that are inclusive, engaging, and accessible - while also fitting your afterschool program's needs - can be a real challenge. 

That’s where Mizzen Education comes in.

Our free digital platform provides a wide variety of high-quality language arts and literacy activities tailored for out-of-school time practitioners.

From storytelling and creative writing exercises to vocabulary games and group reading guides, our resources are designed to engage and educate students of all age and abilities. 

Join Mizzen Education today and find everything you need to bring the joy of learning language arts and literacy to your students!

Explore Our Most Popular Language Arts And Literacy Activities

LAL 1

Story Wheel

Grades: K-2
Duration: 45 mins
Learning Standards: Common Core (ELA)

Children love listening to stories. Having them recall the plot is a critical comprehension skill. In this activity, children will listen to a story and then recall the main character and what happened in the beginning, middle, and end of the story. They demonstrate their comprehension through pictures drawn on a story wheel.

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LAL 2

Alphabet Stretch

Grades: K-5
Duration: 10 mins
Learning Standards: Common Core (ELA)

PowerUp spelling skills with Alphabet Stretch - warm up, cool down, or break the ice with this stretching activity.

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LAL 3

People, Places, and Things

Grades: 9-12
Duration: 45 mins
Learning Standards: Common Core (ELA)

Students create story ideas by considering random people, places, and things. This activity builds writing skills and inspires creativity.

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LAL 4

Rhyme in Super-Quick Time

Grades: 1-4
Duration: 20 mins
Learning Standards: N/A

This game practices rhyming and is excellent for pre-school and younger elementary age kids as well as English Language Learners (ELLs). Rhyming is a great way to help children and youth develop vocabulary, pronunciation, and listening skills.

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LAL 5

Everyday Superheroes

Grades: K-5
Duration: 45 mins
Learning Standards: N/A

Students read a book that prompts them to identify and discuss the everyday heroes in their community.

This activity is part 1 of a 5 part series: Everyday Superheroes, Local Hero Scene Part 1, Local Hero Scene Part 2, Preparing for the Local Hero Walk, and Local Hero Walk.

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LAL 6

Spill My Secret Word

Grades: 6-8
Duration: 45 mins
Learning Standards: Common Core (ELA)

In this fun activity, students will apply language and communication skills to trick one another into saying their secret words. The activity builds language and vocabulary skills as students get to know one another.

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Access All Our Afterschool Language Arts and Literacy Resources!

Ready to explore our full library of Language arts and literacy activities and resources? Create a free account and begin your fun-filled Mizzen journey!

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What are the Benefits of Including Language Arts and Literacy in Your Afterschool Program?

Language arts and literacy activities provide multiple benefits to young people participating in an afterschool program, from improving academic performance to increasing confidence and self-expression. 

Here are some of the many advantages a language arts and literacy curriculum offers students enrolled in your out-of-school-time program:

Language Arts Activities Benefits (1)

Boosts academic performance

Language Arts Activities Benefits (4)

Enhances communication skills

Language Arts Activities Benefits (3)

Fosters creativity and expression

Language Arts Activities Benefits (2)

Builds social-emotional growth

Language Arts Activities Benefits (5)

Encourages lifelong learning

Language Arts Activities Benefits (6)

Supports struggling learners

With countless free and high-quality language arts and literacy resources, the Mizzen Education platform gives you the tools to pass these benefits onto the young learners enrolled in your out-of-school time program. 

Voices from Out-of-School Time

"To be able to have resources and quality content, at that, is important and needed. Shout out to the Mizzen team for being trailblazers in the out-of-school time space."

- Addae Cox 

Co-Founder, Ella Baker Institute

"During my day job I work in a 7/8 Resource Room supporting students with learning disabilities and in OST I work on reading/literacy with K-4. I am looking forward to using Mizzen for its content and also to help us bridge our grant goals for ELA, math, STEM, and visual/ performing arts."

- Theresa "TMak" Makowski 

Participant, Maine Afterschool Network Conference

"What are you waiting on? Sign up. They have knowledge. They have talent. And they will make a difference in your program, one hundred percent."

- Tee Taylor 

Recreation Supervisor, Albany Recreation and Parks Department

Language Arts and Literacy FAQs

What Is the Difference Between Language Arts and Literacy?

Language Arts involves skills like reading, writing, speaking, and listening to communicate ideas.

Literacy focuses specifically on reading and writing using written symbols to understand and share information.

While Language Arts covers a broad range of communication skills, literacy is the foundation for understanding written language.

In short, Language Arts is the whole toolkit for communication, while literacy is about reading and writing.

How Do Language Arts and Literacy Activities Differ by Age Group?

For younger children (ages 4-7), activities focus on foundational skills like recognizing letters, phonics, and basic vocabulary through storytelling, songs, and games.

Middle-grade students (ages 8-12) build on these skills with activities that emphasize comprehension, grammar, and creative writing, such as book discussions and essays.

Teenagers (ages 13-18) engage in advanced activities like analyzing literature, persuasive writing, and public speaking to develop critical thinking and complex communication skills.

Across all ages, activities evolve to match developmental stages, ensuring both engagement and skill progression. 

What Is the Connection Between Literacy and Academic Success?

Literacy is the foundation of all learning.

Strong reading and writing skills enable students to understand and engage with content across all subjects, from science to history.

Students with higher Literacy skills are better equipped to analyze information, solve problems, and express their ideas clearly, leading to greater academic achievement and confidence.

Literacy also builds the critical thinking skills necessary for lifelong learning.

How Do Language Arts Skills Prepare Kids for Future Careers?

Language Arts teaches essential communication skills like writing, speaking, and critical thinking.

These skills are crucial in nearly every career, from crafting professional emails to delivering presentations or collaborating with a team.

Language Arts also fosters creativity and problem-solving, which are highly valued in innovative industries.

Mastering these skills helps kids adapt to different career demands and succeed in professional environments.

Ignite a Love of Language in Your Students

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