By Laura J. Colker, Ed.D., Reading is Fundamental Published: September 22, 2009 According to G. Reid Lyon, former Chief of the Child Development and Behavior Branch of the National Institutes of Health, “If you do not learn to read and you live in America, you are not likely to make it in life.” As unsettling as this quote may be, it is all too often the outcome awaiting children with disabilities who cannot read. Reading supports all other academic skills. Without being able to read, children are not able to write or spell. Science, social studies, math, and technology will…
Author: TCBR Contributor
TCBR Contributor
The Children’s Book Review, named one of the ALSC (Association for Library Service to Children) Great Web Sites for Kids, is a resource devoted to children’s literacy. We publish reviews and book lists of the best books for kids of all ages. We also produce author and illustrator interviews and share literacy based articles that help parents, grandparents, teachers and librarians to grow readers. This article was written and provided by one of TCBR's regular contributors.
Super Simple Sewing is a neat little set of 4 sewing activities: purse, bracelet, bird, and a door tag. Each project comes with precut fabrics that have nicely sized perforations that are well spaced.
By Laura J. Colker, Ed.D., Reading is Fundamental Published: September 17, 2009 “When parents are involved in their children’s education at home, they do better in school. And when parents are involved in school, children go farther in school and the schools they go to are better.” A New Generation of Evidence: The Family is Critical to Student Achievement. (Henderson & Berla, 1994) As the above quote suggests, it is a well-established fact that parental involvement is linked to children’s success at school. Thirty years of research—including the oft-cited studies by Joyce Epstein and her colleagues at Johns Hopkins University…
By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review Published: September 16, 2009 I love books. I have them in every room in the house. However, I get the feeling that someone is feeding them after midnight, because they are beginning to multiply like Gremlins! I believe that the time has come to take a deep breath and share my book wealth with those in need. My first call to action was asking other book lovers where they like to donate new or used books. Here are the top responses: Hospitals Children’s Hospitals Libraries Literacy Foundations and Organizations Government Schools Charity Organizations…
By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review Published: September 15, 2009 Here is the scoop on the most popular destinations on The Children’s Book Review site, a glimpse at the cool new releases that September has to offer, and one exciting literacy event.
By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review Published: September 14, 2009 “Far away there in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I may not reach them but I can look up and see their beauty, believe in them and try to follow them.” ~ Louisa May Alcott (Author of the classic children’s book Little Women) Chicken Dance by Tammi Sauer (Author), Dan Santat (Illustrator) Reading level: Ages 4-8 Hardcover: 36 pages Publisher: Sterling (August 1, 2009) What to expect: Talent Shows, Ability, Chickens, Domestic animals, Humor In life, we always find groups. Groups of like-minded beings (animals and people). Groups…
By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review Published: September 9, 2009 Bran Hambric: The Farfield Curse by Kaleb Nation Reading level: Ages 9-12 Hardcover: 464 pages Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky (September 9, 2009) What to expect: Mystery, Magic, Gnomes, Mages, Action, Coming of age Kaleb Nation, the 20-year-old author of Bran Hambric: Farfield Curse, began writing this book at the age of 14. After spending four years rewriting the book, Kaleb has produced an energetic and exciting first novel. The prologue sets an eerie and suspenseful pace that reads like the scene from a good movie. Bran’s mother dies protecting him…
By Laura J. Colker, Ed.D., Reading is Fundamental Published: September 8, 2009 One of the most effective approaches to helping young children develop literacy skills is to have a home environment that supports literacy. Research clearly shows that instructional environments “have a powerful impact on children’s growth in reading.” (Morrow & Weinstein, 1986) While much of the research on instructional environments focuses on classroom environments, researchers believe that the same effects may be found in supportive home environments. On this subject, Rasinski and Fredericks, (1991, p.438) write: “It seems clear to us that home environments for reading and writing should be…
By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review Published: September 7, 2009 The Children’s Book Review is very happy to share the following information from The Book Chook: Literacy Lava is a free pdf ezine for parents, offering tips on ways to incorporate reading, writing and communicating into family life. In the second edition of Literacy Lava, you’ll find ideas: for motivating reluctant readers, for literacy on the go, for developing the imagination muscle, for linking math and literacy, for having a pirate party and a book picnic, for rhymes, games, activities and more! Brought to you by bloggers and writers…
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