Reflection and Interpretation

• The book "The Relatives Came" can help students improve their reflection and interpretation skills by looking at their own families or the families in other books. The NCTE suggests beginning a lesson by asking students a series of questions about their own families to spawn a discussion of different domestic situations. It is also recommended to read other stories about families to students so they can interpret the differences.
  
  

Written Communication

• Reading Cynthia Rylant's book to students can help improve students' communication. Scholastic suggests asking students to write a letter on what they wish they had done on their summer vacation as an introduction to the book. Before having students write, introduce proper letter writing format. This activity will help students communicate their feelings.
  
  

Oral Communication

• Activities for "The Relatives Came" can teach students how to better communicate through speaking. The NCTE suggests having students orally discuss any connections they may have made between the family in the book and other families, including their own. Scholastic, however, suggests having a family read-along in which students and even family members can read stories about families aloud to each other.
  
  

Comprehension

• Assessing student comprehension is important to know how well students have grasped necessary skills. Students can write a compare and contrast essay that analyzes the similarities and differences in the family in "The Relatives Came" to families in other stories, the NCTE suggests. Students' comprehension can also be assessed by asking students to answer questions orally.