MrsK Books: 09/01/2008

Monday, September 29, 2008

BookPALS Online Storytelling

Click the above title to listen to a screen actor/actress read a story !

Have you heard the news about the collaboration with the Screen Actors Guild and the reading program which engages readers? If not, take the time to check out these links!

In an article, posted at this weeks Reading Rockets site, an article was posted which provides an enticing invitation to learn more about this program that was started in 1993. Given that many parents can't find time to read to their children, the Performing Artists for Literacy in Schools designed a program of "volunteers who read aloud weekly to children through out the school year." An instructional moment, using your Elmo and your computer/lab top, will promote an enthusiastic "read aloud" on a weekly basis for your students. Just click the links to either read more about this program or to share the stories on a Friday afternoon.

Article

BookPals Website

Happy Listening & Reading,

MrsK

Thursday, September 25, 2008

Into The Book

Click the above title to enter the website.

Into The Book is a great resource for all reading instructors across the content areas. Are you looking for instructional connections that will inspire your readers to use their prior knowledge and to make connections with the topic/theme? What about helping students with interpretative reading strategies by using questioning techniques or visulaizing methods which will bringing the writing to life? Maybe you just are looking for reading standards or a discussion forum that might "ignite" your student readers interest. Try this website it is a wonderful source for quick ideas.

MrsK

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Golden Books Art Display

Click the above title to read the article.

The Aurora Public Art Commission is bringing back childhood memories with stories to tell the future generations. Many, if not most of us grew up reading/hearing these perfect-sized readers. Just the mention of "The Poky Little Puppy" or "The Golden Book of Prayers," brings back the most endearing "comfort" that wraps us up as if we were still a youngster.

Enjoy this article,
Kim

Monday, September 15, 2008

Read, Write, Think

To enter website, just click the title above.

The Read, Write, Think website is not only an excellent resource for your language arts instructional design creations. . . . there are lesson plans and activity ideas for all "calendar" events for literacy projects. September 15 - October 15 is the Hispanic Heritage awareness month and this site provides free resources for your students.

Just click the calendar link to view these resources: Hispanic Heritage Resources

Mrs K

Friday, September 12, 2008

7 1/2 Habits of a Highly Successful Lifelong Learner

Click on the title above to view learning video !

Are you a life-long learner? What of the 7 1/2 habits are your learning foundational blocks? As an eduator, do your students know how to be highly successful as life-long learners?

Watch this video, share it with others, practice these steps.
MrsK

Thursday, September 4, 2008

Dog-Eared Favorites: for Kids, by Kids

Just click the title above to go to the website !
National Geographic Kids launched a blog that's just for kids and book reviews. Log on to see what books kids like (and why), and encourage your own book reviewer at home! Reading the blog posts is a great way to get a sense of books you might want to find at your public library or bookstore.

MrsK's Reading Bio

Reading is important! No questions asked, not even a blink of the eye from any student I grew up with. On the first day of the First grade, we were given our first books. Day two we all read aloud, round robin of course. Day three we were place in our first basal, now known as a lit circle group. Books were so important, publishers designed new curriculum so that every student was reading by the end of the first week. These early readers had images that looked like what we could see in the classroom, beyond the classroom, even on the big screen. Reading is important, throughout history every generation has believed that “Reading” opens up the world for endless possibilities.

I adore the 1950’s Dick and Jane books. Actually, most reading specialists and experienced (45+) educators believe that every student learned to read with Dick and Jane. Since these books are being re-issued, I have heard many parents, grandparents, and students claim that Dick and Jane stories of repetition does teach students to read.

Early influences from my mother influenced my desire to read. I would watch her read and we would go on “secret” excursions to the library. The library became my playground. I owned every book I could carry home, of course they needed to be taken back to their home after visiting with me for a week or two. My first book that I could pull off of the library shelf and read was, Father Bear Comes Home. I only saw my dad on Sundays for a few hours. I would pull this beginning reader off of the library shelf every week. Every week I would try to read the first chapter. Every week I got further in the story. My mom would let me check it out, only if I could read it myself (She didn’t like the illustrations therefore she didn’t want to take time to read it to me). One day, I pulled the book from the shelf and when mom came to get me from the children’s corner, I realized that I had read the whole story. I ran to the check out desk and the Librarian KERCHUNKED the checkout card. My mother, brother and neighbors read. My teachers read. We all read aloud all day long in school. The Priest read aloud every day at mass, even in Latin. Everybody in the Doctor’s office read. People on the bus read. Dad’s waiting in their cars as the Mom’s and children grocery shopped, read. In fact, once you could read and write, Sunset Magazine considered you a reader and sent you mail every day.

Reading is important; I’ve spent my life reading. I’ve traveled around the world and into space through books. My favorite genre is whichever book I have open at the time. Children’s Literature is my passion. Book clubbing is one of the best past times, especially if food is involved. In fact my friends of old are in a book club and we are about to embark on a beach trip to “read” and discuss our newest selection.

My “home-run” book story has helped every student find his or her own “home-run” reads. Every year, I have shared my, Father Bear Comes Home, and every year my students have brought in their “home-run” books. That’s the “diving board” into our Lit. Studies.

In “Growing Up Digital,” Tapscott’s insights into the new generations enthusiasm for the Net reminded me of my generation’s enthusiasm for reading, movies, TV, parties and our driving permits. The Net-Generation, as Tapscott describes, “are learning, playing, communicating, working, creating communities, and enforcing a social transformation.”
N-Geners are interactive “techies” who are always looking for a way to “work it” verses the TV Generation of “Baby Boomers” who started out looking for “how it works.” Reading development is tougher today, society moves too fast to invest their “non-working” free time into a book or even “home work.” Since I stepped into my own classroom, I have seen students being told to read, being forced to read, and threatened into reading. Homework is not any longer the vehicle for students to gain their future lifestyles or careers with. Yet, the Internet does create an enthusiasm for learning. Since I have been enrolled in these courses, I have used the computers in every subject. My students are using the newest technology in the classroom because I am giving them investigative sites to use as they learn from each other and books. I agree with Tapscott, in order to bridge the gap with this up and coming generation we must “live and learn with them.”

FTC Required Disclaimer: I receive these books from the publishers. I did not receive monetary compensation for these reviews. These reviews have been posted in compliance with the FTC requirements set forth in the Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising (available at ftc.gov/os/2009/10/091005revisedendorsementguides.pdf)