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A Much Needed Drive
The sun broke through the clouds turning a dreary morning into a prelude to the perfect spring day. I knew I had to get out into nature. My husband and I have had both vaccinations, so we decided to take a drive up Hwy 1. We were 10 miles from home when we realized that […]
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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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Gifts From The Sea
My granddaughter’s name, Kaia, means “Sea.” She loves all things ocean. Of all the books I have, and two toy boxes of toys, she prefers to sort my seashells. We spent more than an hour deciding how to sort them (color, size, uniqueness). When it was bath time, she insisted on taking some shells into […]
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Books Anyone?
If you are like many people today you use your cell phone, Ipad or laptop to get updates on news and happenings. I encourage you to make time for reading a book instead. The benefits are worthy of your time and attention. You have heard the phrase, “Use it or lose it.” Well, it applies […]
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Quit Now
The time to hit the redo button is now.
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Tea Time
A child’s imagination is fueled by experiences. Play fosters all kinds of opportunities to engage in cooperative interaction. My granddaughter loves to make tea for me. She started when she was almost two. She would ask me if I wanted some tea, and I would reply that I would love it if she would add […]
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Comprehension Strategies
Visualization is Powerful ●Tell students to form a movie in their head as they read. ●You can lead them into this by having them draw as you read aloud. ●Use 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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My Baby Girl’s Baby Girl
To me there are indescribable moments in a mother’s life that are forever in her memory. My daughter, Katie, is my youngest. Unlike me, she waited to have children. She was focused on college and a career. She established herself as a lecturer in anthropology and my son-in-law completed his studies as a doctor. After […]
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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, you’ll 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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Need something to do?
Try Historical Fiction I have some book recommendations for those who love to learn, explore, escape…. Set in 1920s Mississippi, this debut Southern novel weaves a beautiful and harrowing story of two teenage girls cast in an unlikely partnership through murder—perfect for readers of Where the Crawdads Sing and If the Creek Don’t Rise. These six strangers are […]
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Grow Things you can eat
I learned many things from the pandemic. I learned that buying groceries would be a dangerous prospect if you are in a vulnerable category. Some of the online “shoppers” were not careful to check expiration dates, leaving me with food that wasn’t fit to eat. Prices were inflated. My ability to buy fresh fruits and […]
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Making Memories
My son took his family to see the area where he attended college. They packed up their camping gear and headed for Humboldt in their newly acquired travel trailer. He told his wife and children about his adventures rowing crew, climbing rocks at Patrick’s Point, and how his path to class was through the forest […]
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Breakfast smoothie
Almost every morning I make a breakfast smoothie. I am not on any diet. I just love smoothies, and like to know that I am eating healthy food. One eight ounce glass is enough to give me energy and fill me until afternoon. I use my Vitamix Blender, but I have used a Ninja blender […]
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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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Grandkids
For me there is no greater joy than watching my grandkids grow, learn, laugh. I love their discoveries, the belly laughs and spontaneous kisses. They remind me of how important it is to make good memories.
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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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I Am a Book Lover
I have been reading more in the last 14 months than I ever have. Being the owner of at least fifty books that been collecting dust, I kept promising myself I would use the pandemic as an opportunity to catch up on my reading. I am glad to report that I completed almost every book. […]
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To My Grandchildren
Dear Grandchildren, I see your tiny bodies and I am grateful for every breath you take. Each of you are the greatest joy of my life. Holding you in my arms takes me back to when your parent was my baby. I had no experience or guide, but a heart full of love. I learned […]
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Carry On
There have been so many times of uncertainty caused by the global pandemic. Times when it was hard to plan for the future, or even tomorrow. One thing I told myself again and again, ” I will follow guidelines, and I will not put myself or others in danger.” I also worried if I would […]
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Make a Wish
When was the last time you picked a dandelion and blew the seeds while you made a wish? Why is it so easy for children to embrace simple joys, while adults rarely give themselves permission to engage in a nature moment for the soul? At a friend’s house recently, I noticed a group of red […]
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A Pilgrimage
All my life I have wanted to visit Lourdes. I grew up hearing of the healing waters and the little girl who saw a vision of The Virgin Mary. I had the opportunity to travel to see my daughter who lived in England, and my son-in-law treated me to a trip by car to Lourdes., […]
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Happy Birthday to me
Today is my birthday and I am happy and grateful to enjoy another year. Getting older would not be my first choice, but I can kick up a fuss or embrace it. My goal this year is to eat right, show gratitude, give love more often, smile more, learn more, travel. read, sew, have adventures, […]
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I am grateful
I have many reasons to be grateful. It’s been a tough year, but at times I see glimmers of hope that we may all be on the road to living whatever our normal was, only stronger, better, more resilient. A trip to the grocery store, then my favorite cafe took on a new ambiance. I […]
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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 […]
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Books Kids Would Like
A charismatic clan of chinchillas confronts everyday problems in this humorous story of family life and troubles. Jerome discovers the magic of the words all around him — short and sweet words, two-syllable treats, and multisyllable words that sound like little songs. Words that connect, transform, and empower. In this hilarious book, Richard T. Morris […]
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Support for Diversity and Inclusion
Websites, Blogs, and Media About Inclusive Classrooms: https://www.readingrockets.org/article/websites-blogs-and-media-about-inclusive-classrooms Video Is it inclusion? This chart, developed by inclusion expert Nicole Eredics, can help you understand what inclusion is and isn’t. YES NO Child spends the majority of the day in the general education classroom. Child spends the majority of the day in a special education classroom […]
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Book Videos
Outstanding story about overcoming fear. The Emperor’s Egg video Learn about Emperor penguins in this delightful, informative book.
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If Only
If only we saw each other’s hearts, minds, souls…… We are one race, human. We really need to realize that love is infinitely more powerful than hate. Children are not born being prejudiced. They learn what they live. We can change the way things are by keeping mindful of the kind of life we hope […]
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The Four Winds Book Review
If you love Historical Fiction, or books that highlight the grit and determination needed to deal with hard times, this is an excellent choice. This is not a “feel good” book. It captures life during the Dust Bowl era with such detail that you can feel bits of dust on your teeth. Kristen Hannah puts […]
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Free Online Reading Sites for students
Curiosity: The Story of a Mars Rover Live Khalifa and Amal http://pardot.eblireads.com/l/835013/2020-03-13/8sfm https://pebblego.com/ https://www.getepic.com/?utm_channel=searchu0026amp;gclid=CjwKCAiAkJKCBhAyEiwAKQBCkvuLaEZjQhj6SG97wjxb5OolcY-uNNlU-26QO_2ntGH9UspTTMyFmRoCWlAQAvD_BwE https://www.freechildrenstories.com https://www.justbooksreadaloud.com https://monkeypen.com/pages/free-stories-for-kids **********************************************************************************
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Free Online Reading Sites for students
http://pardot.eblireads.com/l/835013/2020-03-13/8sfm https://pebblego.com/ https://www.freechildrenstories.com https://www.justbooksreadaloud.com https://monkeypen.com/pages/free-stories-for-kids **********************************************************************************
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Dreaming of Paris
Paris is my kind of city. The people, the food, the sights live in my memory. When I saw all the locks on the Ponts de Arts Bridge, I thought of all the lovers whose hopes and dreams were placed there, likely with good intent. In my mind I likened the locks to graffiti. While […]
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Learning Apps
Due to the pandemic, teachers and parents are scrambling to provide educational opportunities to children. I compiled a list of great learning apps. It is my hope that they help during this difficult time. I compiled a list of great learning apps: Learn With Homer Price: Free Grade level: Pre-K, K Skill: Comprehension, Phonics Device: […]
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Have Golf Cart, Will Travel
I saw the ad for a used golf cart in my Nextdoor app. There were two available, a red and a blue. The owner was storing them in a horse corral. I was saving money for a golf cart (even though I don’t golf) because I live in a small beach town with one main […]
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CLOSE READING
Close reading is thoughtful, critical analysis of a text that focuses on significant details or patterns in order to develop a deep, precise understanding of the text’s form, craft, meanings, etc. It is a key requirement of the Common Core State Standards and directs the reader’s attention to the text itself. The skills gained from close reading help […]
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Dreaming of Costa Rica
The pandemic has made me a shut- in and I hate it. I am a traveler forced to travel only in my mind. Lately I have been dreaming of Costa Rica. I’ve only been there once, but it left such an impression that I find myself daydreaming of being there. I went with 22 avid […]
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A Man And his dog
I have to confess that I am a little bit jealous of our dog, Max. He visits the salon more than I ever have.He is a rescued Great Pyrenees who stole my husband’s heart with his sad eyes and beautiful white fur as he sat in a too-small cage at the animal shelter. Max ate […]
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Emotional Agility
I knew I would love this book when the author made reference to Dr. Victor Frankl’s book, Man’s Search For Meaning. This book takes a candid look at the negative self talk and endless bombardment of thoughts that contribute to our emotional state. We can choose to tackle or tame them. Even one negative thought can morph […]
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Multi-cultural children’s books
Teachers should carefully select books for their classroom that teach about other cultures. USE The Horn Book Guide to identify the right books for your age group. Click on the links to explore. Horn Book Guide Online http://www.hornbookguide.com/cgi-bin/hbonline.pl CCBC = Cooperative Children’s Book Center https://ccbc.education.wisc.edu/books/multicultural.asp These are a few samplings of my favorites: Favorites for Ages 2-5 Favorites […]
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Neighborhood Library box
I am a book lover. I wish I had a library next door. My dream is to someday own a bookstore, or work in one. While driving in my golf cart I passed by a little library box next to the parking lot for the beach. I had to take a look. Some thoughtful person, […]
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Teaching Vocabulary
•Students must learn 3,000 words per year by 3rd grade. •Only 400 words a year are directly taught by teachers. •Academic demands are high •Everyday speech consists of only 5,000- 7,000 words. The books that young children are able to read are intended to help them practice their reading skills rather than build their vocabulary. While we can […]
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Reading FLUENCY
Repeated readings help students with fluently. Make 2 copies of a page of text . Put them in clear plastic sleeves. Set timer for one minute. Go over errors. •Fluency is the ability to read a text accurately, quickly, and with expression •A fluent reader reads smoothly and is interesting to listen to. Ways to Foster […]
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My English roses
When my daughter asked me if she could be a summer camp counselor in the hills of Santa Cruz, at first I said no. The distance from our house to the camp was too far and I was not keen on letting her go by herself. She approached me again, this time she had a […]
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Early Literacy Resources
Check out this video to help your child with phonemic awareness. Many struggling readers lack knowledge of sounds (phonemic awareness). Children have better success with phonics once they have experience with phonemic awareness. Phonemic awareness may be the component that will help fill that gap. Children must be able to segment words into individual sounds […]