I just love this video – a hungry bookworm and big band music – it doesn’t get any better! 
I just LOVE what it says at the end!
GO READ A BOOK!
Apr 092007
The library has just got to be one of my most favorite places on earth, that and the woods. Oooh, a library in the woods… That sounds nice, but, getting back on topic, in order to celebrate libraries, librarians, and all of our wonderful library workers – we are going to have a weeklong library celebration! It’s called ‘National Library Week’ and it runs from April 15-21! A celebration of libraries – sounds perfect to me! This is a great time to emphasize reading and to promote library use!
The principal’s newsletter from our elementary school had some great ideas to help our kids become skilled readers:
Read to them. Reading to your children is the most important think you can do to help children develop a love of books and reading.
Have plenty of material. Books are not the only items children can read. Posters, maps, magazines, recipes, and newspapers are great reading materials.
Listen to them read. From the day your children begin sounding out letters, concentrate on how they are doing. Try to also include some “read aloud” time.
Model good reading habits and limit TV. Your children need to see that reading is a lifelong skill and a form of entertainment. When you take them to the library to choose books, select some for yourself, too.
Let them choose. Within reason, allow your children to choose their own reading material. If they choose what to read, they will be more likely to actually spend time reading.
Ask the teacher. Your child’s teacher may suggest areas in which he or she may need some extra help. Also, make sure you let the teacher know if you hve noticed any reading problems at home.
Any time is a great time for a visit to the library, but, next week will be a very special time for all of us to help celebrate our libraries and appreciate our librarians and library workers!
You can read more about National Library Week at the American Library Association website.
GO READ A BOOK!
Mar 092007
Children who are read to at home do better in school. That’s just a fact. And what a fabulous way to let your child feel your love for them, too! Spending time with their parents is the thing children want most – not toys, and fancy gifts. Yes – the materialistic side of them wants all of that stuff, but, their little spirits are longing for just some time. There’s nothing you can spend that is more important on a child than time. So reading to your child is helping to develop the whole child – sounds like a great plan to me!
Here is a great article about reading to our children on a regular basis:
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6 Ways to Make Reading to Your Child a Habit
Words can open up a world of knowledge and adventure for your children, and reading to them is so important in their development.
Here are 6 ways to make reading to your child a habit.
• Set up a book shelf in your child’s room and place all of his or her books there.
• Read your child’s favorite book over and over.
• Go to the library and let your child pick out books.
• Read together with your child.
• Read to your child at bedtime every night.
• Choose a book with a particular character whose stories are serialized (for instance Amelia Bedelia, Harry Potter, or Magic Treehouse).
For some, perhaps the only time you read to your child is when Santa or the Easter Bunny makes their appearance every year. Reading to your child should be a daily and ongoing event. Perhaps you do read to your child frequently, and become caught up in one particular book that your child absolutely loves. Whether that is the case or not, this is the beginning of their interest in books and stories. Have you noticed the huge variety of children’s books available today? This is due to the fact that reading has become the focal point in our society, especially since many public school children are lacking in reading skills.
Have your child participate in the act of picking out books by taking them to your local library. Sign them up with their own library card. The myriad of books are overwhelming, and there are certainly enough from which your child can choose his particular genre. All the colorful books and titles are incentive enough for your child to take home a stack of books for you to read at bedtime. Has your child become fascinated with a particular magazine, either at a store or a medical office? If so, subscribe to the magazine in your child’s name. Think of how excited they will be when their magazine arrives!
Do you have bookshelves at home filled with books? This is no longer the case today. Children can have their own private mini library at home. Between garage sales, discount racks, and bargain books, you can find books to fit any budget. Undoubtedly, this will give them a sense of ownership as well. While you are having family dinner, why not discuss the stories you have read to your child. This will keep the interest alive and your child will be full of anticipation; wanting to know more about the characters they have come to love.
These 6 ways to make reading to your child a habit are just the beginning of a long journey leading to enlightenment. The bond you form with your child by reading to them is immeasurable. The stories can take you and your child on new and exciting adventures every time you open a new book. Take the time to read to your child. It is that important!
Article by:
Nicole Dean co-created www.kidsactivitycalendar.com to help her child and others prepare for Kindergarten in a fun way. To get your free sample lesson, stop by www.kidsactivitycalendar.com/letter-a-sample.htm today.
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GO READ A BOOK!
Mar 092007
Last week, schools across the country celebrated Read Across America, the nation’s largest reading celebration, and this year was the tenth anniversary of the event.
And since March 2 was The Cat in the Hat’s 50th birthday, the focus all week was on Dr. Seuss.
I know my kids had a blast at their school! Each day of the week focused on a different Dr. Seuss book, and had corresponding funny/interesting attire:
Monday was Oh, The Places You Go, and the children were asked to wear a t-shirt from a place they have been.
Tuesday was Green Eggs and Ham, and the children were asked to wear green.
Wednesday was One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish, and the children were asked to wear a red shirt and blue pants/jeans.
Thursday was The Foot Book, and the children were asked to wear their silly socks.
Friday was Cat in the Hat and the children were asked to wear their favorite hat to celebrate Dr. Seuss’ birthday!
They were selling the stovepipe hats at school for only $5, and each of my kids bought one. They tried to buy one for my nephew in Texas, but, there weren’t enough left.
It was funny, because, on the same day that my daughter bought her hat, here in Alabama, my nephew was visited by The Cat in the Hat at his school, in Texas! It was a great way for my 3 year old nephew to connect his scholastic experience with my 10 year old daughter’s experience! I thought that was really cool, since they are so far apart in age!
The National Education Agency website says that this is actually a year-round event, and that you can get involved in a number of ways. They list some of the ways right here: Ten Ways to Celebrate the Tenth Anniversary.
Once you’re done reading there…
GO READ A BOOK!
