Resources and guides
Get Useful Tips and Tricks
Here you can find useful information and resources on how to effectively use the Little Books, Lesson Plans, and Picture Pages! We offer in-depth guides on all our products, providing an informative way how you can help your children succeed. All guides are universal, meaning that you can use them for all your children, regardless of age!
If you have any questions or concerns or can’t find information on what you’re looking for, you can get in touch with us and we will be happy to help!
How to Use Little Books
Learn how to effectively use the Book of Mormon Little Books for you and your family. By properly using the little books, you can help jumpstart your child’s learning and reading comprehension. Learn how to use the Little Books Here.
How to Use Scripted Lesson Plans
Scripted Lesson Plans are a great way to help accelerate reading skills while providing foundational skills for young readers. Parent and teacher-friendly, the Lesson Plans go along with the Little Books to effectively teach.
How to Use Picture Pages
Book of Mormon Picture Pages are an effective tool to help establish a pattern of family scripture study. Allowing your children to develop testimonies and an understanding of the Book of Mormon, learn how to properly use Picture Pages Here.
SCRIPTED LESSON PLAN GUIDE
Who can use Book of Mormon Little Book Lesson Plans?
The lesson plan book is composed of 32 lessons, one for each little book! All Lesson Plans are parent and teacher-friendly, scripted so the parent or teacher is provided the words to use in teaching, and possible child responses are included as well. The children’s format for learning incorporates the five critical areas of reading:
Phonemic Awareness
The ability to identify and manipulate individual sounds (phonemes) in spoken words. We know that a student’s skill in phonological awareness is a good predictor of later reading success or difficulty.
Phonics
Vocabulary
Vocabulary can be split into two types: receptive vocabulary and expressive vocabulary. A child’s receptive vocabulary consists of the words the child understands when he/she hears or reads them. A child’s expressive vocabulary consists of the words the child uses when he/she speaks.
Fluency
The ability to read with speed, accuracy, and proper expression. In order to understand what they read, children must be able to read fluently whether they are reading aloud or silently. When reading aloud, fluent readers read in phrases and add intonation appropriately.
Comprehension
The understanding and interpretation of what is read. To be able to accurately understand written material, children need to be able to (1) decode what they read; (2) make connections between what they read and what they already know; and (3) think deeply about what they have read.
GETtING STARTED
How do I use the Scripted Lesson Plans?
As part of every lesson, a particularly useful supplement for Latter Day Saint Homeschool groups, these lessons can initiate parent-child conversations about gospel concepts and inspire a love for the Book of Mormon. They can also promote literacy for non-reading adults.
HOMESCHOOLERS
Lesson plan activities are written for a parent and a single child but can easily be adapted for small groups of children. To be successful with the beginning lessons, the child should be able to name the upper and lower case letters of the alphabet in random order and be able to say the sounds the letters represent. It is NOT expected to do one complete lesson in a day. According to the child’s needs, decide on a time frame and pick up where you stopped the next lesson period. Let your child help you prepare the “Materials Kit” described in the introduction of the book.
When a reader can fluently read Level F books he/she should be able to read from the actual Book of Mormon.
Scientifically Based Reading Research (SBRR), shows that direct explicit instruction is highly effective.
Always use the “I DO → WE DO → YOU DO” direct explicit instruction method.
- I DO: the teacher explicitly models what the child will do.
- WE DO: both the teacher and the child do the task together.
- YOU DO: gives the child independent practice.
Explicit reading instruction is given consistently—instructions given the same way each time offers a consistent structure for learning and gives the child the security of knowing what to expect. T refers to “teacher” and S refers to “student.” The teacher’s scripted words are bold within quotation marks. Teacher actions and student actions are noted within parentheses.
Teach Gospel principles and reading simultaneously.
Use Scientifically Based Reading Research.
Follow simple instructions to make the "Materials Kit."
Direct explicit instruction is embedded in the Scripted Lesson Plans.
Help your child develop a love for the Book of Mormon.
PARENT / CHILD CONVERSATIONS
If your child is receiving research-based instruction (including the Big 5 as already described) you may want to only choose to use one or more of these lesson sections:
When a reader can fluently read Level F books he/she should be able to read from the actual Book of Mormon.
1. Fluency Reading: Your child will regularly practice reading familiar books in a systematic way.
To read a book fluently your child should have no more errors than what is indicated on the back
of the book. Fluency Reading starts with Lesson A-2.
2. Vocabulary: This section of the lesson will help you and your child discuss the meanings of useful everyday words as well as gospel-centered words.
3. Comprehension: A parent can choose meaningful gospel-centered questions from this section of the lesson. The questions are designed to help children understand what has happened in the story, and to liken it unto their own lives, thereby building individual testimonies of the truths in the Book of Mormon.
Enhance Gospel Discussions while reading the books.
Select a lesson segment to develop Reading Fluency.
Select a lesson segment to develop Vocabulary.
Select a lesson segment to develop Comprehension.
Help your child develop a love for the Book of Mormon.
NON-READING ADULTS
To be successful with the beginning lessons, the adult learner will first need to name the upper and lower case letters of the alphabet in random order, and be able to say the sounds the letters represent. Adapt the lessons according to individual needs and use the ideas described above.
When a reader can fluently read Level F books he/she should be able to read from the actual Book of Mormon.
DIRECT // EXPLICIT // SYSTEMATIC INSTRUCTION
Inscructions are located within quotation marks in each lesson
- I DO: The Teacher (T) models how to do the skill
- WE DO: The teacher (T) and student (s) do the skill together
- YOU DO: The Student (S) independently practices the skill
Learn to read Book of Mormon stories.
Learn by using a systematic research based approach.
Strengthen testimonies of the Book of Mormon.
GENERAL TEACHING GUIDELINES
Scientifically Based Reading Research (SBRR)
Scientifically Based Reading Research (SBRR), shows that direct explicit instruction is highly effective.
Always use the “I DO → WE DO → YOU DO” direct explicit instruction.
- I DO: the teacher explicitly models what the child will do.
- WE DO: both the teacher and the child do the task together.
- YOU DO: gives the child independent practice.
Explicit reading instruction is given consistently—instructions given the same way each time offers a consistent structure for learning and gives the child the security of knowing what to expect. T refers to “teacher” and S refers to “student.” The teacher’s scripted words are bold within quotation marks. Teacher actions and student actions are noted within parentheses.
To develop reading fluency the child should read with 95% accuracy before going on to the next book. If the student self corrects, count it as correct. The word count and number of acceptable errors for 95% accuracy are on the backs of the books. The word count also includes words on the front cover and the inside cover page.
Phonemic Awareness activities are oral and listening activities without looking at words. They could be done in the dark.
Be aware that there are two aspects of FLUENCY:
1) developing automaticity of skills—doing the tasks fast,
2) fluent reading of connected text—reading at a comfortable comprehending rate.
Oral language is embedded in every lesson. Expect your child to give oral responses in complete sentences. It may take your modeling and the student repeating many times to achieve this goal.
The lessons are systematically written. All level A lessons are designed to practice similar skills. Likewise, the lessons for levels B, C, D, E and F are designed to practice similar skills at each level. Lessons begin with less complex skills, and more complex skills are added at each level.
Provide modeling and guided practice until the student becomes automatic in using each skill.
Lesson plans in this book are only a sampling of the types of activities that can be used in teaching the critical skills of SBRR, referred to earlier as The Big 5. These lesson plans are supplemental and do not take the place of a research-based core reading program.
CLARIFICATIONS
•To be successful with the beginning lessons, the child should be able to name the upper and lower case letters of the alphabet in random order, and be able to say the sounds the letters represent. (ABC picture charts can be utilized to help children learn the letters and sounds.)
•It is recommended to start with the beginning lessons and move forward as the initial lessons lay the foundation for more advanced lessons.
•Move through the lesson activities at a comfortable pace. Time restraints vary, so do whatever there is time to do, and continue from that point the next time. Adapt according to your child’s needs. It is not intended that lessons should be completed in one day. Sometimes it may be appropriate to review parts of a lesson rather than start a new lesson. Quality learning is more important than the amount covered.
The child can always re-read lower level books for daily familiar reading.
•Appendix A includes sound charts for short and long vowel sounds as well as all consonant letters.
•Appendix A includes an example of how to write the upper and lower case letters of the alphabet.
•When children read Levels A & B they should point under each word to develop one-to-one
correspondence. If the child has achieved one-to-one correspondence by Level C books, the teacher should say, “Now, take your finger away from the word, and read with your eyes.” (Allowing a child to point with the finger too long tends to hinder fluency in reading.)
•When the sound of a letter is to be read, the letter has slash marks before and after it. An example is the middle sound of the word cap, which would be written /ă/. See Appendix A for letter-sound pronunciations.
•During the oral reading part of the lesson the teacher is directed to point under a letter and say, “What sound?” However, if the unknown word would be unusually difficult for the child to sound out, just tell the word to the child. (Irregular words are referred to as “Heart Words” and will need to be memorized or “learned by heart.”)
•It is recommended to keep the Materials Kit in a container and to have the whiteboard, markers, and word cards available for every lesson.
•Remember, attitude and enthusiasm of the teacher has a lot to do with student learning. Make this a fun time!
LITTLE BOOKS GUIDE
Getting Started with Little Books
32 Books That Will Educate and Entertain Young Readers
The Book of Mormon Little Books series currently has thirty-two books divided into six levels, beginning with Level A for beginning readers and
gradually increasing in difficulty to Level F.
NOTE: For Little Books to be used more effectively, consider using them in conjunction with the Lesson Plans. The lesson plan book is composed of 32 lessons, one for each little book! All Lesson Plans are parent and teacher-friendly, scripted so the parent or teacher is provided the words to use in teaching, and possible child responses are included as well.
LEVEL A
BOOK 1
Lehi’s Family
BOOK 2
Baby Nephi
BOOK 3
What Does a Mother Do?
BOOK 4
What Does Sam See?
BOOK 5
Lemuel has a Puppy
BOOK 6
Laman and the Animals
LEVEL B
BOOK 1
The Outdoor Market
BOOK 2
The Boy Nephi
BOOK 3
Lehi Teaches His Boys
BOOK 4
Lehi’s Family Lives in Jerusalem
BOOK 5
What Does Sam Watch?
BOOK 6
Nephi Looks for Sam
LEVEL C
BOOK 1
Mother Sariah
BOOK 2
Lehi is a Prophet
BOOK 3
Making Bricks
BOOK 4
The Brick Wall
BOOK 5
Other Prophets in Jerusalem
BOOK 6
The Prophet Lehi Prays
LEVEL D
BOOK 1
Lehi Sees a Vision
BOOK 2
Prophet Lehi Warns
the People
BOOK 3
Heavenly Father’s Command to Lehi’s Family
BOOK 4
Lehi’s Family Gets
Ready to Leave Jerusalem
BOOK 5
Lehi Obeys God
BOOK 6
Nephi Prays to Know
LEVEL E
BOOK 1
Another Dream, Another
Commandment
BOOK 2
The Mighty Laban
BOOK 3
The Brass Plates
BOOK 4
Ishmael’s Family Journeys into the
Wilderness
LEVEL F
BOOK 1
Lehi’s Dream and More!
BOOK 2
Eight Years in the Wilderness
BOOK 3
Nephi Builds a Ship
BOOK 4
Voyage to the Promised Land
Picture Pages GUIDE
Getting started with picture pages.
With five young children, I felt a strong need to teach my little ones to know and love the scriptures. I decided to use my personal scripture study time to create “Scripture Picture Pages” for my family. My objective was three-fold:
•Prayerfully seek scriptural accuracy.
•Write understandable captions so our children could make picture representations.
•Preserve the beautiful Book of Mormon language by using frequent quotations.
Over a fourteen-year period, I wrote captions on 2,241 pages that included the happenings of every verse in the Book of Mormon. At weekly “Family Picture Page Time,” all seven family members drew pictures representing the caption at the bottom of his/her page—our family pattern for learning. The twelve volumes pictured include all those pages that were drawn week by week and year by year!
GETTING STARTED
How do I use Book of Mormon Picture Pages?
Prepare materials
- Obtain a binder and clear sheet protectors.
- Create a binder cover with a drawing or picture of your family.
- Print a different page for each family member.
- Use pencils for drawing & colored pencils or crayons for coloring.
“Weekly Family Picture Page Time”
Parent reads one page per person and the family talks about possible illustrations. Each person uses his/her creativity to draw, color, sign and date his/her page. Everyone shares by telling about his/her completed drawing.
All pages are compiled into the family Book of Mormon Picture Pages.
As a family, frequently re-read and enjoy your Picture Pages!
7 Benefits of Using Picture Pages
- Establish a pattern of family scripture learning to develop and strengthen testimonies.
- When children draw pictures of what they understand—or are attempting to understand—an indelible impression is made on their minds.
- Picture pages provide a user-friendly format for busy parents who desire to provide ongoing, meaningful scripture study for children of various ages.
- Self-expression of each family member becomes a combined family effort resulting in treasured family books that document individual growth.
- Regularly doing Picture Pages creates a family tradition of togetherness and bonding opportunities.
- Children feel self-worth when they know their own contributions are valued and preserved in the “Family Picture Page Books.”
- Re-reading the pages while viewing the family’s drawings cements the meaning.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did you write Book of Mormon Little Books?
While using leveled little books to teach reading in the public schools I was able to steadily accelerate children’s reading abilities. Knowing that the Book of Mormon helps us all draw near unto Jesus Christ, I often thought, “It would be wonderful to have leveled little books using Book of Mormon stories!” The more I thought about this need for beginning readers, the more I felt prompted to write these books, and now, my 32 leveled little books have been published!
How do these books help children to learn to read?
Book of Mormon Little Books for beginning readers have direct correspondence between the text and the pictures. Patterns, repetition, and consistent text format appear in the beginning levels. As the levels increase the patterns diminish, print becomes smaller, vocabulary becomes more difficult, and the picture predictability decreases. The artwork portrays a clear connection between the text and the illustrations. Total word count and 95% accuracy level are printed on the back of each book. A beginner should fluently read each book with this accuracy level before going on to the next book. A child who can fluently read level F books will be able to read the actual Book of Mormon. A companion book, Scripted Lesson Plans for Book of Mormon Little Books, which includes lessons for all 32 books, has been published in conjunction with this series. Click the Scripted Lesson Plans link and go to number 2, “research” to see how “The Big 5 Essential Components to Teach Reading” are included in every lesson!
What is your teaching experience and education?
I have taught all grades K-6 for over 25 years in the public schools in California and Arizona. I served as an Arizona State Reading Specialist, consulting with principals, reading coaches and teachers to support the implementation of Scientifically Based Reading Research practices. My Master of Education degree emphasized teaching children to read and write. I used a unique method of teaching my own five children the scriptures by preparing 2,241 Book of Mormon Picture Pages. Now, I’m retired and teach my grandchildren with these materials.
How hard was it to write leveled books and how did you accomplish this task?
As I attempted this endeavor I realized that the story line was too complicated for the simplistic lower patterned levels. I was distraught and felt like giving up because I didn’t know how to accomplish this goal, yet I felt I must write these books. While praying I was inspired to introduce the family of Lehi by creating stories that would help beginning readers connect with everyday happenings that could have taken place during Lehi’s time period. Levels A and B fit into this category. Level C continues with commonplace events and starts incorporating scriptural ideas into the stories of Lehi’s family. Each book in Levels D through F includes the scriptural reference at the beginning of the book and relates scriptural stories. Quotes are footnoted on each page. See the descriptions of the levels.
What is the central theme of your books and what can they do for children?
This series of Book of Mormon Little Books tells the story of Lehi’s family—from when his children were young to the time his people reach the Promised Land. Young readers will learn the stories, strengthen their testimonies, and feel the joy of actually reading and re-reading these little books. The small size of the book, repetitious words in the script, and direct picture correspondence develop a sense of ownership and self confidence in young readers. See pictures of each book in shopping cart.
How are your Little Books different from other Latter-day Saints books for young children?
Being a seasoned teacher of reading, I find that the read-aloud children’s books available in Latter-day Saint bookstores and catalogues are generally too difficult for beginning readers—an important time to start developing reading proficiency. Book of Mormon Little Books fill that gap so the very young will be able to actually read on their own. These books enable young children to start with lower leveled materials, and increase their abilities little by little as they continue mastering higher levels. While reading and re-reading they will acquire an appreciation and love for the Book of Mormon characters and stories, and lasting impressions will be with them as they continue to learn the gospel truths throughout their lives! Scripted Lesson Plans for Book of Mormon Little Books enhance scriptural discussions and provide a supplement for teaching reading.