There is something very pleasing about using scissors. They are tactile and often create a lovely sound when you use them to cut paper. Using scissors in a session creates positive emotions that will help beginner learners as they start on a journey towards literacy.

Letter shapes

• Write large letters on a piece of paper (tricky ones that can get mixed up or reversed are b, d, q, p, m and w).
• Cut them out so you get a sense of their shape.
• Think of words that contain each letter.
• Write the word using the cut out letter.

Note: You can use this activity in an online session using a document camera.

Creating collages with pictures and words cut out of magazines is a very relaxing way to spend a tutoring session. Not only can it be a great way to read and recognize words but it is also a great way to introduce real reading materials, like magazines, flyers, newspapers, into a session.

Goal inspiration board

• Let your learner choose a goal that is important to them.
• Cut out magazine photos that are related to the goal.
• Cut out words and phrases that will inspire them to work towards that goal.
• Glue the words and pictures onto a piece of cardboard.
• Encourage your learner to put the board some place visible so it will inspire them every day.

Creative greeting card

• Let your learner choose a celebration and person they would like to make a card for.
• Cut out magazine photos that are related to the occasion.
• Cut out words and phrases that create a nice message.
• Glue the words and pictures onto a piece of cardboard that can be folded to make a card.
• Encourage your learner to give that card to the person it is made for.

Found poetry

• With your learner, look through magazines and cut out words and phrases that are surprising, interesting, unusual or that you just like a lot.
• Say them aloud so you can hear if you like the way they sound.
• Place all the words and phrases in front of you and play with their order.
• When you are happy, glue the words onto a piece of card and start a poetry collection.

Favourite word scrapbook

• Take an exercise book. Divide it into sections relevant to your learner, for example:
  • adjectives I like
  • adverbs I like
  • inspirational words
  • funny words
  • weird words
  • words that are important
• With your learner, look through magazines and cut out words that fit the sections.
• Say them aloud so you can hear if you like the way they sound.
• When you are happy, glue the words into the book. Add cut out pictures or notes.

Grammar can be a little dry if you just use worksheets and books. Using model texts and learner texts with a pair of scissors can bring in more active learning and move towards a more multisensory approach.

Run-on sentences

• Write a text with run-on sentences.
• Cut the text into strips. Then cut the strips after every complete thought.
• Arrange the strips on the table or on a blank piece of paper.
• Add punctuation (you could use sticky notes for this, or mark the paper).
• Ask your learner to rewrite the text with all the punctuation.

Note: You can use this activity in an online session using a document camera.

Reading a passage can become more active with a pair of scissors.

Summarize with scissors

• Find a good article in a newspaper that your learner would like to read.
• After reading, ask your learner to cut out the main ideas with scissors.
• Arrange the strips on the table or on a blank piece of paper to form a summarized version of the story.
• Read it together.

Language experience story

• Find a language experience story that your learner wrote in a previous session.
• Re-write the story with each sentence on a separate line.
• Cut the story into strips.
• Mix up the sentences.
• Arrange the strips on the table and ask your learner to put them back in order.
• Read together to check if the story makes sense.

Note: You can use these activities in an online session using a document camera.

Make spelling rules and patterns more visual and introduce some kinesthetics and sound with a pair of scissors.

Root word hunt

• Cut out words that contain root words in the headlines and captions of a newspaper, magazine or flyer.
• Separate the root word from its prefixes and/or suffixes with scissors.
• Separate root words, prefixes and suffixes into piles.
• Mix and match to created new words.
• Write the words on flashcards.

Note: You can use this activity in an online session using a document camera.

Sometimes learners want to improve their numeracy. Fractions and scissors are a natural match!

Fractions

• Cut up index cards in halves, thirds and quarters to visualize fractions.
• Find pictures and cut them up to see fractions in real life, e.g., a picture of a pizza, apple, group of things to be divided.

Note: You can use this activity in an online session using a document camera.