Category: Literacy Resources and Children’s Books
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My Love of Books
Once I learned to read at the age of five there was no stopping me. I read the back of cereal boxes and the ingredients in every can in the kitchen. I loved rhyming books the most. It was a special treat when my stepfather came home from the grocery store with Archie and Veronica […]
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What Students Need
As a University Supervisor I have the task of observing and shaping future teachers. It’s a job I love. I try to pass on advice I’ve gained over the years. My work with both mainstream and students with special needs has shown me that for many students school is the best part of their day. […]
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Children’s Books That Are Inclusive
Children love books they can relate to. They need to see themselves represented in the pages. Books that present differences help students feel less alone, more connected. I have been carefully scrutinizing children’s books that lift children out of a sense of isolation. The following are books I highly recommend. I am not selling or […]
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Moments
I have had lots of time to reflect. The urge to get away to faraway lands is stronger than ever. I remember being asked as a child what I wanted to be when I grew up. I always answered, “an airline stewardess.” I wanted to see the world. My life took another direction and I […]
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New Vocabulary Words for Children
Did you know: â˘Students must learn 3,000 words per year by 3rd grade. â˘Only 400 words a year are directly taught by teachers. â˘Students do not learn vocabulary words based on their age or their grade. â˘They learn words based on their experiences , (Beck, et al, 2002) â˘Academic demands are high â˘Everyday speech consists of […]
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Childrens books for science lovers
These are great books for budding scientists. Children are fascinated by animals and nature. Nurture and celebrate their curiosity through books that give them information and new vocabulary. The following are great for inquisitive minds. One of the most interesting books I have seen to inspire budding scientists. Another outstanding book to pique the interest […]
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Children’s Books for Visualization
When a child is able to form an image in their mind, it helps them understand what they are reading. It provides a context based on the child’s prior knowledge. Teachers can lead students to visualize by reading aloud and having students either draw what they “see,” write about it, or discuss with a partner. […]
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Anybody Home?
A child’s imagination is unlimited and should be encouraged and celebrated. Reading to children and asking questions like, “I wonder what will happen next,” allows them to construct their own scenarios. Children learn through repetition and exposure to a variety of experiences. Books that become familiar are like the foundation of a house. Once a […]
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Saying Goodbye to Future Teachers
I have been an online instructor for a university for almost seven years. Each term I change my course based on what I feel would enhance the learning for my students. I learn so much from them. I love sharing my experiences and insights. This last term I decided to try a new course. I […]
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The Power of Books
Begin your collection of children’s books. Make sure you check out your local library book sales, thrift stores, yard sales, online sources.
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Children’s Books That are Awesome
I have been looking for children’s books that have a good message during these difficult times. I think I’ve found some winners. All about feelings and emotions This delightful story of persistence and self-acceptance highlights the value of practice, friendship, and a good attitude. 30 great breathing exercise to bring about calm and mindfulness. The book is about […]
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Student Engagement
Student engagement is a vital component in any classroom. Over the past year, remote learning has become a reality for most students around the world. As many students return to in-person learning, or any number of hybrid learning environments, here are some ideas to keep engagement rates high and help maintain student learning in any […]
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DEVELOPING RAPPORT
Why Build Rapport with Students? To create an environment that is safe and engaging for all learners: Creating an Environment of Respect and Rapport To create an inclusive Classroom Community: Mapping Your Heart – view this video to learn about Heart Mapping, invented by Georgia Heard, as one strategy to begin building an inclusive classroom […]
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Emergent Bilingual Students
Effective Practices that Support Emergent Bilingual Students Identify your studentsâ language backgrounds and Proficiency Levels (please see page 18 of the ELD Standards Framework) Provide effective Integrated ELD and Designated ELD instruction Use appropriate and planned scaffolds to support academic language development and content knowledge View SOE Module #6: Supporting Emergent Bilingual Students for more effective practices and strategies. Build Connections with Families […]
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Check for Understanding!!
After you teach a lesson, even a mini-lesson, always make sure you scan your group to insure they have a clear understanding of what you have taught. Moving on without a check does a disservice to students. Form a small group to reteach the lesson. The hand method is a good visual that goes a […]
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What If?
I teach an online course for future teachers in a master’s degree program. I was grading journal post last night when I read a student’s journal entry detailing her fears about interacting (or failure to interact) with parents. She was candid in describing possible scenarios. “What if a parent had a horrible school experience and […]
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Relatable Books For Children
I love to share resources for children by topic. Kindly share with me if you have collections of special interest and I will add them. đ Teaching children to read and to Love reading is my passion. We have all had a lousy day. Relatable text is important for children to make text-to-life connections. Lucy […]
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Active Engagement Strategy
Use Think-Pair-Share at any point in the lesson to structure meaningful conversation: â˘Before introducing new material to tap into prior knowledge â˘After watching a film clip to gauge a reaction â˘After reading a short text to begin a discussion â˘Before students begin an assignment, such as an essay or a set of word problems, to […]
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Spelling
Rote memorization is not an effective way to learn and remember. How many kids forget their spelling words as soon as they finish the test? BORING!!! We need to give kids an active role. Just a handful of kidsâ needs are met when the entire class has the same word list! Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â NOT FAIRÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â NOT GOOD TEACHING There is another way– Use […]
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Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)
A 2019 report confirmed that experiencing traumatic things as a child puts you at risk for lifelong health effects. What do we mean by Adverse Childhood Experience? Sexual abuse Abuse (physical or mental) Exposure to domestic abuse Exposure to substance abuse Mental illness, parental discord, crime Death of parent Imprisoned parent Impact: Neurobiologic Effects of Trauma : Disrupted neuro-development, Difficulty controlling anger-rage, Hallucinations, Depression, Panic […]
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Reading Buddies
Children need to practice reading skills by reading aloud. This helps them develop fluency. A child can read to a sibling, a pet, their toys, and even plants. Their reading becomes enjoyable when they have someone or something to share in the experience. When I taught second grade I set up an experiment. My hypothesis […]
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Don’t Be Afraid to be Silly
It’s good medicine to laugh. It’s even better to have a belly laugh. This is a great way to begin the day, a meeting, the school year. According to Psychology Today, “A hearty chuckle releases endorphins, feel-good neurotransmitters and endorphins are part of the reason laughing is so contagious. Laughing also has many health benefits […]
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The Rabbit Hole
I began searching the internet for resources to give my online students who are in a Masters level course to earn their teaching credential. I have weekly resources for them that coincide with the week’s topic. I took a look at a topic that generally has them confused, the difference between phonemic awareness and phonics. […]
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Think Aloud Stems
These are sentence stems for various strategies good readers use. Use these to model for students during lessons. Using think alouds is a powerful way to give students strategies they can use when they read independently. ———————————
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Connect With Students
We all know when someone cares about us. Students come to school hoping they will be liked and accepted. A teacher that takes the time to know each student creates a solid foundation of trust. Learning is often connected to experiences and emotions. When a child feels secure, learning can move into long term memory. […]
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Scaffolding
Always tap into a student’s prior knowledge, building on what they know. Help them make connections by using visuals, engaging in partner share, review previous lesson. Moving forward to new subject matter requires assessment to determine if there is a need to reteach. Know your students! Some can take leaps while others require review and […]
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Toot Their Horn
Students flourish when they are recognized and appreciated. There are so many ways to help a student feel great about their success. I like to honor each improvement with a visual representation of their accomplishment. When done selectively, this is a way to boost self-esteem in students, particularly those who don’t generally get recognized. A […]
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Independent vs Dependent Learner
This book should be on every teacher’s desk as a resource for promoting an inclusive classroom. It is important to remember that dependent does not mean deficit. We want all students to work to their full potential. Here is just one sampling of the valuable guidance from acclaimed author, Jaretta Hammond: Dependent Learner Relies on […]
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Continuum of Phonological Skills
Children learn phonological skills from infancy. Phonological awareness involves a continuum of skills that develop over time and are crucial for reading and spelling success, because they are central to learning to decode and spell printed words. Phonological awareness is the ability to recognize and manipulate the spoken parts of sentences and words. Examples include being able to […]
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Quick Check for Understanding
After you teach a lesson, even a mini-lesson, always make sure you scan your group to insure they have a clear understanding of what you have taught. Moving on without a check does a disservice to students. Form a small group to reteach the lesson. The hand method is a good visual that goes a […]
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Books For The First Day of School
I have put together a list of books for your child’s first day back at school. These books are best for ages 3-8. It’s a good idea to read aloud and discuss with your child their hopes and fears about a new school year. Be proactive and do this before school begins. The books I […]
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Guided Reading
Guided reading is an instructional practice or approach where teachers support a small group of students to read a text independently. You select books that students can read with about 90 to 94 percent accuracy. Students can understand and enjoy the story because it’s accessible to them through their own strategies, supported by your introduction. They […]
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The Teen Brain
Facts You May Not Know: Their Brains are under construction and not fully formed. Your brain does not keep getting bigger as you get older Your brain doesn’t finish developing and maturing until your mid- to late-20s. The front part of the brain, called the prefrontal cortex, is one of the last brain regions to […]
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Diversity in the Classroom
A school culture that promotes diversity in the classroom teaches students something thatâs important: how to live and work in a society where every individual is unique. Diversity in the classroom teaches students to appreciate different perspectives and draw stronger conclusions. Challenging students to consider different perspectives can also teach them how to interact with their peers on […]
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Children’s Books on Diversity
Our world is a tapestry and each of us contribute to the whole. These are books that celebrate our unique identities that are more alike than different.
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Children’s Books for The First Day of School
I have put together a list of books for your child’s first day back at school. These books are best for ages 3-8. It’s a good idea to read aloud and discuss with your child their hopes and fears about a new school year. Be proactive and do this before school begins. The books I […]
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Childrens’ Books That are Relatable
I love to share resources for children by topic. Kindly share with me if you have collections of special interest and I will add them. đ Teaching children to read and to Love reading is my passion. We have all had a lousy day. Relatable text is important for children to make text-to-life connections. Lucy […]
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Childrens books on character building
In My Friend is Sad, elephant Gerald is down in the dumps. Piggie is determined to cheer him up by dressing as a cowboy, a clown, and even a robot! But what does it take to make a sad elephant happy? The answer will make even pessimistic elephants smile. Edward has loads of toys but doesn’t […]
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Comprehension Strategies
Visualization is Powerful âTell students to form a movie in their head as they read. âYou can lead them into this by having them draw as you read aloud. âUse think alouds. However, NONE of these comprehension strategies is taught in a single mini-lesson. It’s impossible to teach visualization in 15 minutes. Rather, plan and deliver numerous mini-lessons across the […]
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Children’s Books About Animals
This animal encyclopedia includes 500 amazing animal facts that offer hours of engaging learning. Alongside full-color pictures on every page, youâll find weird and wonderful details about Magnificent Mammals, Creepy Crawlies, Amazing Amphibians, Feathered Friends, and more. This standout among animal books for kids is ideal for any boy or girl who is wild about […]
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Great Ipad Apps For guided Reading
******Use the above link to access a great resource for early readers. The best part is that it will highlight words as they are read. Here are GREAT RESOURCES, some have a free trial period. Bookshare: https://www.bookshare.org/cms/ Lexia: https://www.lexialearning.com/core5 Razkids: https://www.raz-kids.com Skybrary: https://www.skybrary.org/school Headsprout: https://www.headsprout.com Lightsail:https://www.headsprout.com Newsela: https://newsela.com Rewordify: https://rewordify.com Thinkcerca: https://rewordify.com Activelylearn: https://www.activelylearn.com
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Easy Kids Chapter Books
When a child is ready for chapter books it is the beginning of a journey of the imagination.The following are some I have read aloud to students and seen students choose them for independent reading. 16-book collection brings together all the classic children’s novels from the one and only Roald Dahl. Matilda, Going Solo, The […]
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Summer Reading For KIds
Keep up your child’s reading skills by encouraging them to engage in summer reading. I have collected some books that are fun and good for a read aloud or independent reading. Keep a record of the books they’ve read to share with their teacher in the fall. This is part of a series. The books […]
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Free Little Library
I’ve wanted a free library ever since I saw one a few years ago. It was conveniently placed in a yard near the entrance to the beach parking lot near my home. It inspired me to investigate the cost of making one. Inside that little library there were a variety of paperbacks and several children’s […]
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Childrens Books on Nature
The bird named Joy promised to come back every year. This brought happiness to the barren, lonely mountain, and over time, many wonderful changes took place. The reason for a flower is to manufacture seeds, but Ruth Heller shares a lot more about parts of plants and their functions. A gentle, poetic story that lovingly […]
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Childrens books on bravery
These books are great for teaching bravery and courage in adversity. As part of an affiliate program I may receive a small commission. Thank you for looking. I Will Be Fierce is a powerful picture book about courage, confidence, kindness, and finding the extraordinary in everyday moments. “Right Now, I Am Brave” is a mindfully written […]