Do you want to get your kids excited about reading? If so, get ready for the countdown: ten days of ideas that will get you and yours into reading! Silly is certainly in. I mean, with popular series like Captain Underpants, how could you possibly doubt the success of silly? My daughter recently brought home a chapter book called Snot Stew. No, it’s not about snot stew at all, thank goodness, but I suspect that the silly title was part of the attraction of the book. I know that I kept reading to figure out what the Snot Stew actually … Continue reading →

Do you want to get your kids excited about reading? If so, get ready for the countdown: ten days of ideas that will get you and yours into reading! Children are curious. These days, curiousity is easily satisfied. By Googling things, we can learn just about anything in mere seconds. Of course, that’s not to say that it isn’t necessary to hone your research skills. In fact, in the age of the internet, it’s more important than ever to have excellent research skills, so that you can sift through the vast amounts of information that are out there in the … Continue reading →

Do you want to get your kids excited about reading? If so, get ready for the countdown: ten days of ideas that will get you and yours into reading! Today’s tip? Get vocal about reading. Blah, blah, blah. There’s a lot of talking that goes on in a house, and sometimes we tune it out. Turn some of this talking into gripping reading, and you’ll increase your children’s ability to listen carefully. The ability to create images in your head is key to reading success. Craft a cumulative story. Get one family member to start out telling a story, then … Continue reading →

Do you want to get your kids excited about reading? If so, get ready for the countdown: ten days of ideas that will get you and yours into reading! This is day 3 of our countdown. We live in an age of distraction, and modern distractions can be hard to resist. Wait! What’s that shiny thing I see over there? Ok, I digress. With a constant flow of text messages, Facebook and Twitter status updates, emails, and even the retro phone call, today’s kids are inundated with in-your-face distraction. I understand. I suffer from the same problem. So what can … Continue reading →

Do you want to get your kids excited about reading? If so, get ready for the countdown: ten days of ideas that will get you and yours into reading! Here’s day two! We all love dessert. Even if it’s “just” fruit, dessert is special because it is dessert. Call a bowl of brussels sprouts dessert and I might just be inclined to eat it, almost. Ok, maybe not brussels sprouts. What if you made reading dessert too? Too often we have a tendency to make reading something that we have to do. Kids need to read for a certain number … Continue reading →

Do you want to get your kids excited about reading? If so, get ready for the countdown: ten days of ideas that will get you and yours into reading! Now, by going public with reading I’m not saying that you need to stand on a street corner reciting Shakespeare, although that would certainly make life interesting. No, by making reading public, I mean that you and your children can enjoy reading that takes place in a public venue. From story times to world famous authors, from poetry slams to a visit to the children’s bookstore, there are many ways to … Continue reading →

Book: Titanic Voices from Disaster Author: Deborah Hopkinson Published by: Scholastic Press Age Recommendation: 8 and up Use: Read aloud, historical non-fiction for studying the Titanic, independent student reading Book Summary: (Amazon.com) Critically acclaimed nonfiction author Deborah Hopkinson pieces together the story of the TITANIC and that fateful April night, drawing on the voices of survivors and archival photographs. Scheduled to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the tragic sinking of the TITANIC, a topic that continues to haunt and thrill readers to this day, this book by critically acclaimed author Deborah Hopkinson weaves together the voices and stories of … Continue reading →

Product: Sight Word Practice for Every Type of Learner, Grade 1-2 Publisher: Teacher Created Resources Use: Sight word practice Cost: $14.99 Description ~Teacher Created Resources The second 50 of the 100 most frequently used words in reading and writing are taught in this book. Each sight word is introduced individually, with a variety of activities that ask children to recognize, read, write, spell, and use the word in context. Flash cards are provided for reinforcement and testing. With this comprehensive approach, students who complete these activities are sure to recognize these sight words! What I thought: I dragged my wallet … Continue reading →

At a Glance: Product: Circle C Adventures Published by: Kregel Publications Ages: 9 to 14 Form: Softcover Books Use: Read alouds for the family or chapter books. Price: $7.99 per book or Set of books 1 to 6 for $34.95 What is Circle C Adventure? Andi never tries to get into trouble, but somehow it always manages to find her. Living on the Circle C ranch in 1880s California–the heyday of the Old West–provides Andi with more than her fair share of adventures. Whether nearly trampling her schoolmaster on her palomino horse, Taffy, or outwitting an escaped convict, Andi’s life … Continue reading →

At a Glance: Product: Circle C Beginnings Books Published by: Kregel Publications Ages: 6 to 8 Form: Softcover Books Use: Read alouds or reader books for those ready for their first chapter books. Price: $4.99 per book or Set of books 1 to 6 for $23.95 What is Circle C Beginnings? Children ages 6-8 can join six-year-old Andi, her baby horse Taffy, and her family and friends on the Circle C ranch in 1874. ~ Circle C Andi is a spunky 6 year old, who adores her horse, Taffy. The books are delightful. The content is wholesome and sweet. Titles … Continue reading →