tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41866674338193100872024-03-13T13:49:31.364-04:00Room to Grow: Making Early Childhood Count!A blog for early childhood educators, lovers of children's literacy, and parents who want to raise readers!T. Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03345854275926599107noreply@blogger.comBlogger167125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4186667433819310087.post-8414631918367174862014-06-19T09:00:00.000-04:002014-06-19T09:00:03.998-04:00Book of the Month: Journey of the Sea Glass Illustrated by Nicole Fazio<img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=rootogromakea-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1608931773" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1608931773/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1608931773&linkCode=as2&tag=rootogromakea-20&linkId=IWGJP7LQR6CPIEFK" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=1608931773&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=rootogromakea-20" /></a> I've been holding on to this gem for about a year now and with summer in full swing, the time seems right to share it with you! Last summer while on a weekend getaway to beautiful St. Michaels, Maryland, I wandered into a little shop called Ophiuroidea. I was only momentarily distracted by the many interesting baubles, trinkets, and sea-themed items; I soon found myself tucked away in the back of the store mesmerized by this book that didn't have words. I've posted about <a href="http://earlyliteracycounts.blogspot.com/2010/04/wordless-books-worth-reading.html" target="_blank">my love of wordless books</a> before but this one took my breath away; Nicole Fazio's illustrations are simply captivating. The story begins as a bottle falls into the ocean. Page after page follows the journey of the bottle and the images get more colorful and vivid as the story progresses. Nature, the ocean, and sea creatures all do their part to create a beautiful, polished, and shiny piece of sea glass. I left the store that day with the book, two pieces of sea glass, and the excitement of knowing that I'd share this book with you all one day soon. Today is that day! I hope you fall in love with this book the way I did.T. Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03345854275926599107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4186667433819310087.post-84712369946776306442014-06-12T09:00:00.000-04:002014-06-12T09:00:06.139-04:00Book Giveaway: Mack and Missy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1NkoE2tGVoKh7HQRREzB8ql2Ytrw4zaxDlxKu09IRrCmodhoaDAOAVavaf4-T8Sf4xlTjNP9uN_itjjMt3aZF7H4PeQt7AahN0noZUddmhy5nxBkLCgN0ki9TqxbH5IIx6gu1irh0qKcB/s1600/mack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1NkoE2tGVoKh7HQRREzB8ql2Ytrw4zaxDlxKu09IRrCmodhoaDAOAVavaf4-T8Sf4xlTjNP9uN_itjjMt3aZF7H4PeQt7AahN0noZUddmhy5nxBkLCgN0ki9TqxbH5IIx6gu1irh0qKcB/s1600/mack.jpg" height="320" width="311" /></a>Missy and her brother Mack go crabbing with their Grandpa. The rhythmic text and collage illustrations are likely to warm your heart. Many of us who grew up on the East Coast have many fond memories of the sights, smells, and sounds of crab season. Tweet me @LiteracyCounts to win a copy. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />T. Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03345854275926599107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4186667433819310087.post-49463843433564755622014-06-05T20:42:00.002-04:002014-06-05T20:42:39.658-04:00The Great Balancing Act<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/peapodsquadmom/3983904658/in/photostream/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggCpq3fc40H5sOOREsORm89LKPP6e3MHdK3m47aYB59PcefI2yHN0Vxxoew1mm_WEz2stNcKqbHiQ_9GwVQwBRKMAcdtgnd769BSiR6EGJbvPbRA23xOHWcGV8Y1lTKSAzGfhdXO9FM_fb/s1600/3983904658_747430bc8c_o.jpg" height="256" width="320" /></a></div>
I started this little blog in 2009 because I wanted to share my passion for early literacy and early learning with parents and educators. I'd spend hours reading books in the library, scouring the shelves of my local book store, and writing blog posts. In December of 2010 our family suffered a devastating lost and I took a little break from blogging. Since that time, I really have been learning to live a new normal. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I'm still learning to balance life as Auntie and to top it off, I've been blessed with a new, and pretty amazing, job. So my poor little blog has suffered from my lack of time. But I'm back and I've decided to rededicate myself to the mission I began five years ago.<br />
<br />
Stay tuned for more posts!<br />
<br />
If you'd like to be a guest blogger, leave a comment or find me on twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/LiteracyCounts" target="_blank">@LiteracyCounts</a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
T. Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03345854275926599107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4186667433819310087.post-71150164019140856712013-08-01T10:00:00.000-04:002013-08-01T10:00:00.672-04:00Book of the Month: Is Your Buffalo Ready for Kindergarten <div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/006176275X/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=006176275X&linkCode=as2&tag=rootogromakea-20"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=006176275X&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=rootogromakea-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=rootogromakea-20&l=as2&o=1&a=006176275X" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/006176275X/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=006176275X&linkCode=as2&tag=rootogromakea-20"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Is Your Buffalo Ready for Kindergarten? By Audrey Vernick</span></strong></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=rootogromakea-20&l=as2&o=1&a=006176275X" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></strong>
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In a few short weeks everyone will be busy buying backpacks and new lunch boxes. But before you do, ask yourself, "Is Your Buffalo Ready for Kindergarten?" This is hilarious little story that I found during a visit to my local library. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Some people say kindergarten is no place for a buffalo.</span></em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How crazy is that?</span></em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Does your buffalo have a backpack?</span></em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well then. He's definitely ready for kindergarten!"</span></em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></em> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Back to School is my favorite time of year. Here are several other posts filled with activities to get your school year off on the right foot!</span></div>
<ul>
<li><div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://earlyliteracycounts.blogspot.com/2012/09/book-of-month-schools-have-learn-by.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Schools Have Learn</span></a></div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://earlyliteracycounts.blogspot.com/2012/08/book-of-month-night-before-kindergarten.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Night Before Kindergarten</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://earlyliteracycounts.blogspot.com/2011/08/book-of-month-its-back-to-school-we-go.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's Back to School We Go</span></a></div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://earlyliteracycounts.blogspot.com/2010/09/back-to-school-book-of-day-will-i-have.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Will I Have a Friend?</span></a></div>
</li>
<li><a href="http://earlyliteracycounts.blogspot.com/2010/09/back-to-school-book-of-day.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Chrysanthemum</span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://earlyliteracycounts.blogspot.com/2010/09/back-to-school-book-of-day-maisy-goes.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Maisy Goes to Preschool</span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://earlyliteracycounts.blogspot.com/2010/09/back-to-school-book-of-day-my-teacher.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My Teacher Sleeps in School</span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://earlyliteracycounts.blogspot.com/2010/09/back-to-school-book-of-day-school-like.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A School Like Mine</span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://earlyliteracycounts.blogspot.com/2010/09/back-to-school-book-of-day-if-you-take.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If You Take a Mouse to School</span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://earlyliteracycounts.blogspot.com/2010/09/back-to-school-book-of-day-this-is-way.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is the Way We Go to School</span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://earlyliteracycounts.blogspot.com/2010/08/back-to-school-book-of-day-kissing-hand.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Kissing Hand</span></a></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These two posts include several Back To School Books and many fun-filled activities!</span><br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://earlyliteracycounts.blogspot.com/search/label/back%20to%20school" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Book of the Day Activities: The First Day of School</span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://earlyliteracycounts.blogspot.com/2009/08/book-of-day-activities-your-best.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Book of the Day Activities: Your Best Behavior</span></a></li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div align="left" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
T. Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03345854275926599107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4186667433819310087.post-58891808911416580142013-05-01T10:00:00.000-04:002013-05-01T10:00:02.292-04:00BOOK OF THE MONTH: "Fire! Fire! Said Mrs. Mcguire<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0152057250/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0152057250&linkCode=as2&tag=rootogromakea-20"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0152057250&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=rootogromakea-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=rootogromakea-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0152057250" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0152057250/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0152057250&linkCode=as2&tag=rootogromakea-20"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong>"Fire! Fire!" Said Mrs. McGuire</strong></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=rootogromakea-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0152057250" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></strong></span>
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">By Bill Martin Jr with updated illustrations by Vladimir Radunsky</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What treasures I find at my local library! When I saw Bill Martin Jr.'s name on this book, I knew I had to read it and I was not disappointed. I tested the story on my niece (age 5), who asked me to read it twice and the next day, she was proud to read it all on her own. She was able to use her memory of the story, context clues, and her knowledge of letter sounds, rhymes, and sight words to read this one all on her own. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Fire! Fire!" said Mrs. McGuire.</span></em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Where? Where?" said Mrs. Bear.</span></em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Downtown!" said Mrs. Brown.</span></em></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The story features a group of female mice who are very concerned about a "fire" but there's a bit of a surprise at the end. This is a short and simple story but a very humorous way to introduce or reinforce rhyming words. </span></div>
T. Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03345854275926599107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4186667433819310087.post-71005136006582999782013-04-01T19:24:00.001-04:002013-04-01T19:24:27.874-04:00Book of the Month: Down by the Cool of the Pool<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0439309158/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0439309158&linkCode=as2&tag=rootogromakea-20"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0439309158&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=rootogromakea-20" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=rootogromakea-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0439309158" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0439309158/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0439309158&linkCode=as2&tag=rootogromakea-20"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Down by the Cool of the Pool</span></strong></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=rootogromakea-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0439309158" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></strong>
by Tony Mitton</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's April! According to the calendar and the daffodils in my front yard, spring is here. There are so many fun things in this tale. The photos are bright and hilarious. The text is not only catchy, but is written in a way that reminds you of ripples in the water. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Down by the pool</span></em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">in the cool of the day.</span></em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Frog cried, "Wheeeee!</span></em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Can you dance like me?"</span></em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></em> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Duck came to see.</span></em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I can dance too.</span></em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But not like you.</span></em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I can flap."</span></em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></em> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"So Duck went "flap"</span></em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and Frog cried, "Wheeeee!</span></em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Can you dance like me?"</span></em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></em> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Down by the cool of the pool.</span></em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And you can only imagine the fun that ensues as Pig, Sheep, Cat, Dog, and many more animals join in the dance. I'm not sure I can even read this one sitting still! It seems perfect for busy toddlers, active preschoolers, and curious kindergartners! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just like </span><a href="http://earlyliteracycounts.blogspot.com/2009/07/book-of-day-activities-multicultural.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Why Mosquitoes Buzz in Peoples Ears</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> and </span><a href="http://earlyliteracycounts.blogspot.com/2010/09/book-of-day-lion-and-mouse-by-jerry.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Lion and the Mouse</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, this is a fun way to learn about onomatopoeia; the examples are endless: whooop, wheeeee, plop, splash, and many more! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong>What is your favorite silly story?</strong></span></div>
T. Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03345854275926599107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4186667433819310087.post-67060361512951313212013-03-11T21:15:00.000-04:002013-03-11T21:15:02.018-04:00Wherever You Are My Love Will Find You<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0312549660/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0312549660&linkCode=as2&tag=rootogromakea-20"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0312549660&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=rootogromakea-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=rootogromakea-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0312549660" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
One day in late January, I was in my local bookstore. I wandered over to the children's section, as I often do, to see what book would capture my eye...but instead, I found one that captured by heart. I picked up the book, read it cover to cover, knew I had found the book for my next post, and I knew that today would be the day I'd share it. <br />
<br />
Those who read this blog on a regular basis, may remember that I have a <a href="http://earlyliteracycounts.blogspot.com/2011/02/learning-to-live-new-normal.html" target="_blank">very special bond</a> with my niece (now 5) and my nephew (now 2). You see, today, would have been their Mommy's <a href="http://earlyliteracycounts.blogspot.com/2011/03/book-of-day-birthday-cake-is-no.html" target="_blank">birthday</a>. And as I stood in the book store that day reading this story, tears flowing rather freely, I felt like this story was sent from heaven just for my family. It reads like a letter from my sister-in-law to her children. <br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>"And if someday you’re lonely,<br /> or someday you’re sad,<br /> or you strike out at baseball,<br /> or think you’ve been bad...<br /><br /> just lift up your face, feel the wind in your hair.<br /> That’s me, my sweet baby, my love is right there.<br /><br /> In the green of the grass... in the smell of<br /> the sea... in the clouds floating by...<br /> at the top of a tree... in the sound <br /> crickets make at the end of the day...<br /><br />“You are loved. You are loved. You are<br /> loved..."</em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
It's a wonderfully sweet story that any Mom, Dad, Grandparent or Loved One can read to the little ones in their lives to remind them of all the people who love them - those that are here on Earth and those that are not. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<strong> Other Books by </strong><a href="http://www.nancytillman.com/main/" target="_blank"><strong>Nancy Tillman</strong></a><strong>:</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0312346069/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0312346069&linkCode=as2&tag=rootogromakea-20"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0312346069&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=rootogromakea-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=rootogromakea-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0312346069" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> <img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=rootogromakea-20&l=as2&o=1&a=031264521X" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/031264521X/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=031264521X&linkCode=as2&tag=rootogromakea-20"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=031264521X&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=rootogromakea-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=rootogromakea-20&l=as2&o=1&a=031264521X" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0312673361/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0312673361&linkCode=as2&tag=rootogromakea-20"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0312673361&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=rootogromakea-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=rootogromakea-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0312673361" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0312553684/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0312553684&linkCode=as2&tag=rootogromakea-20"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0312553684&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=rootogromakea-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=rootogromakea-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0312553684" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
</div>
T. Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03345854275926599107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4186667433819310087.post-69640139358942147592012-12-03T08:00:00.000-05:002012-12-03T08:00:16.960-05:00Book of the Month: Imogene's Antlers by David Small<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/037581048X?ie=UTF8&camp=213733&creative=393185&creativeASIN=037581048X&linkCode=shr&tag=rootogromakea-20&keywords=imogene%27s%20antlers&qid=1347838469&ref_=sr_1_1&sr=8-1" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3XKKTHpGm-jlaIhWM9lHNvKaT22ZW3eEGdkib5UZ-8KHLpTv1j4zKDmjZtS3ZsvTCjWeeKDKpgeGLyrSwTWtOHTvFEGBwc1zA-M72urtyu7SmevdS47CihyUpIISOArXKSHty3RfyMfmU/s320/imogenes+antlers.jpg" width="249" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"On Thursday, when Imogene woke up, she found she had grown antlers..." And this is how Imogene's story begins. It's as simple as that! So you can imagine all of the fun that comes next. Imogene adapts very well to her antlers...she hangs donuts on them for breakfast, she uses them to hang towels that need drying, and she has lots of places for birds to land.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Related Activities:</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">List other animals that have antlers like caribou</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This month, there is another friendly little fictional animal with antlers who, along with his friends, helps Santa deliver toys across the world. So, Imogene's Antlers is a timely story. Learn about real reindeer - where they live, what they eat, etc..</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sort pictures of animals that have antlers and animals that have horns (see the link below to the Reading Rainbow video). Or, you can use plastic animals that you may have in your classroom.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Have children make up a story about what they would do if they woke up with antlers (or some other animal features like - feathers, scales, wings, etc).</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ask children why they think Imogene woke up with antlers. Speculate and imagine!</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Related Links:</span></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The <a href="http://vimeo.com/6240201" target="_blank">Reading Rainbow</a> on Vimeo episode featuring Imogene's Antlers takes the viewer on a visit to the Philadelphia Zoo (America's First Zoo - who knew?). The children learn about "appendages" and the difference between horns and antlers.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Visit the author's website: <a href="http://davidsmallbooks.com/" target="_blank">DavidSmallBooks</a>.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Scholastic Books has a great <a href="http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/lesson-plan/imogenes-antlers-extension-activities" target="_blank">math/snack activity</a> using pipe cleaners and O shaped cereal. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/animals/creaturefeature/caribou/" target="_blank">National Geographic Kids</a> has beautiful pictures of caribou along with other information.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There's an awesome book called <a href="http://books.google.com/books?id=mrH1l3kVIXcC&pg=PA241&lpg=PA241&dq=imogene's+antlers+activities&source=bl&ots=CBDnhoph_x&sig=jJqt3dsGF8WNOLci0vA2aDX6JHs&hl=en#v=onepage&q=imogene's%20antlers%20activities&f=false" target="_blank">Story Stretcher</a>s and it's now available on Google Books. Here you will find several other extension activities such as making donuts (yum!)</span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
T. Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03345854275926599107noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4186667433819310087.post-30783148187583692182012-11-11T08:58:00.000-05:002012-11-11T08:58:00.362-05:00Book of the Month: Those Shoes by Maribeth Boelts<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0763642843/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0763642843&linkCode=as2&tag=rootogromakea-20"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0763642843&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=rootogromakea-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=rootogromakea-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0763642843" style="border: currentColor !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thanksgiving is approaching and we are helping children to learn about being thankful. The winter holidays are also approaching and it's a time when we often talk to children about giving and being kind. Hopefully these are lessons that we teach our children all year long and this is a great book to help start those discussions. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love this book for may reasons. The main character is being raised by his grandmother - that family structure is a reality for many children and this book makes it seem so normal that children can easily relate. He wants a pair of sneakers that are just beyond the family's budget, again another reality for many children. In the end, he finds a pair at a thrift shop but they are too small, and he gives them to a friend. The book touches on giving to others, kindness, bullying (the other children laugh at Jeremy's Velcro sneakers), and friendship.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I do take issues with two words in the book: "rich" and "dumb." Jeremy goes to the thrift shop in the hopes that some "rich" child donated the sneakers. The word rich is not concrete to a young child and people who aren't rich donate to thrift shops. Jeremy also uses the word dumb in a moment of frustration. But don't let those words discourage you from picking up this book. The lessons far outweigh those two words. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>Related Activity:</strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Have children donate items to a thrift shop.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
T. Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03345854275926599107noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4186667433819310087.post-49185371554064006182012-10-28T09:59:00.000-04:002012-10-28T09:59:00.198-04:00It's Election Time: Grace for President<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0786839198/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&tag=rootogromakea-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0786839198"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=0786839198&MarketPlace=US&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&tag=rootogromakea-20&ServiceVersion=20070822" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=rootogromakea-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0786839198" style="border: currentColor !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Election day is near and what better time to read Grace for President! Grace realizes that there has never been a female president, Grace begins her political career in a classroom election that helps students understand the process of the election and voting. There are some details that may be too much for very young children but older students will be able to understand how an election works. It's a perfect read for this time of year!</span>T. Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03345854275926599107noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4186667433819310087.post-34550153433227926862012-10-01T08:00:00.000-04:002012-10-01T08:00:00.178-04:00Book of the Month: Jacob O'Reilly Wants a Pet by Lynne Rickards<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0764163116/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0764163116&linkCode=as2&tag=rootogromakea-20"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0764163116&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=rootogromakea-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=rootogromakea-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0764163116" style="border: currentColor !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I often spend time in my local library or book store where I am surrounded by mountains of good selections. But what gets me most excited is when I find a treasure in an unexpected place. I took a trip to my local Ollie's Bargain Outlet to get some things to redecorate the bedroom. Every time I go to Ollie's, I peek at the children's books. Usually I will see a few familiar classics, a lot</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> of cool activity books, some mediocre stories, and every now and again I find a pretty cool gem like Jacob O'Reilly Wants a Pet. I've had the book for a little more than a week and I've already read it to my niece 5 times! Trust me, you won't be disappointed if you add this one to your library.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, Jacob really wants a pet: <em>"He asked for a dog but Dad didn't want fleas. He tried for a cat, but the fur made Mom sneeze. He went through a list of small rodents for sale, but the very idea turned Mom and Dad pale."</em> Finally, he starts a pet sitting business and ends up with four dogs, five hamsters, six cats, one mouse, a python, two donkeys, five sheep , one horse, rabbits, hares, and zebra. You will be surprised at the pet Jacob finally chooses in the end!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Related Activities:</span></strong></div>
<ul>
<li><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the book Jake refers to some animals that may not make good pets (like a walrus and an emu). Make a list of animals and discuss why they would (or would not) make a good pet. Draw some funny pictures of how it would be to take care of some pets (like a walrus in the bathtub!).</span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Make a graph similar to </span><a href="http://funaslearning.wordpress.com/2010/05/06/childrensgraphpets/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">this one</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> and talk about the number and types of pets the students have.</span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Visit a local veterinarian's office.</span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Have children bring in photos of their pets and make a class collage.</span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Paint pet rocks.</span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sort pets by herbivores and carnivores.</span></div>
</li>
</ul>T. Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03345854275926599107noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4186667433819310087.post-65888157416838618772012-09-16T21:30:00.000-04:002012-09-16T21:30:01.372-04:00Literacy Jackpot<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I visited my<a href="http://www.bcpl.info/" target="_blank"> local library</a> recently and found these gems that I couldn't wait to share with you! I get so excited when I find new books that are really relevant and fun. So here we go...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0761346120?ie=UTF8&camp=213733&creative=393177&creativeASIN=0761346120&linkCode=shr&tag=rootogromakea-20&keywords=ruby%20violet%20lime&qid=1347841207&ref_=sr_1_1&s=books&sr=1-1" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim0eU_ZfSgaI6zBYX0v4_cct6eDJGaJqaSwzjFUnpwrg_vljKh6Q5eR-XpC4-3HI80flrfp6GaIzpHYvBwZcRZHvO8yLy1hMFEVZppixK98eVA3wDbshBqf5wAUyhhoi0o3poov-sMgF8c/s200/ruby+violet+lime.jpg" width="198" /></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/"></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0761346120/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0761346120&linkCode=as2&tag=rootogromakea-20" style="text-align: left;">Ruby, Violet, Lime: Looking for Color (Jane Brocket's Clever Concepts)</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=rootogromakea-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0761346120" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; text-align: left;" width="1" /><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></b></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Do you ever get tired of plain old "red, blue, and yellow?" Well, this is the book for you! This book has wonderfully large, colorful photos and it introduces colors with pictures and catchy text: "Red is bright and bold. Scarlet candy, ruby flowers, crimson chairs, and rosy apples..." How many different ways can you think of to describe the colors yellow, blue, green, orange, purple, and more! I also love the fact that this book includes brown, black, white, silver, and gold. Even pastels such as "peachy" and "soft pink" are included. I was delighted to find other books in this series: </span></div>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0761346139/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0761346139&linkCode=as2&tag=rootogromakea-20" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Spotty, Stripy, Swirly: What Are Patterns? (Jane Brocket's Clever Concepts)</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=rootogromakea-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0761346139" style="border: none !important; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></li>
<li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0761346147/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0761346147&linkCode=as2&tag=rootogromakea-20" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Spiky, Slimy, Smooth: What Is Texture? (Jane Brocket's Clever Concepts)</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=rootogromakea-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0761346147" style="border: none !important; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1416991417?ie=UTF8&camp=213733&creative=393185&creativeASIN=1416991417&linkCode=shr&tag=rootogromakea-20&keywords=lmno%20peas&qid=1347841699&ref_=sr_1_1&s=books&sr=1-1" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQaMhx0naxgJgqK-EwDf9iaZjsaIdNEFRw5w8se65f7OkS_WTZKFqGkZO1nxD41fjFIHWN49H2oIaFEtaAyZJ49_F33x-l77J7R-lD7E2NDAKjWA_Uz4-dEFz9oilnmFcYfjAp0kFS_mR_/s320/lmno-peas.jpg" width="281" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1416991417/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1416991417&linkCode=as2&tag=rootogromakea-20" style="text-align: start;">LMNO Peas</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=rootogromakea-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1416991417" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; text-align: start;" width="1" /> </b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">No more "B is for ball" in this innovative story. Instead, "We're builders, bathers, and bikers in a race." And the humor is that the builders, bikers, bathers and other characters in this book are all... you guessed it... PEAS. Such a cute and fun alphabet book. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0867130253?ie=UTF8&camp=213733&creative=393185&creativeASIN=0867130253&linkCode=shr&tag=rootogromakea-20&keywords=alphapet%20soup&qid=1347845217&ref_=sr_1_sc_1&s=books&sr=1-1-spell" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAMvTfSWuDKyWCtFPMOmP1u4b_izfYmNTz1PYEinyssfSG5Udb18Eksbj-knZOeMklSVwlmq_RQiR5RuakK7s5hP2rXeknys-XWwqR_eJJx4_3C7E9P_-mMLklLUxQ4njW5pHg_5Mbnu7V/s320/alphabetsoup.jpg" width="239" /></a></span><span id="goog_1095571938"></span><span id="goog_1095571939"></span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0867130253/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0867130253&linkCode=as2&tag=rootogromakea-20">Alphabet Soup</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=rootogromakea-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0867130253" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Otter just moved into a new house and decided to have a house warming party where each guest brings an ingredient for soup. And then the processional of guests begins... there's Cricket's Cracker Crane; Owls, Onions and Okra; Vegetables via Vole; and much more. Again, this is one of those books that goes beyond "B is for ball and C is for cat." Not that there's anything wrong with those books - but this one, just like</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> LMNO Peas<b> </b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">just adds a creative spin for those who are ready for something unique and creative. And the illustrations are filled with rich, lush </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">detail</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. Each page also has a little </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">tongue</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> twister that includes the featured letter.</span></div>
T. Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03345854275926599107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4186667433819310087.post-19986212387835354112012-09-03T09:00:00.000-04:002012-09-03T09:00:00.185-04:00Book of the Month: Schools Have Learn by Harriet Ziefert<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz-rJVR25CalWSSYm2ZJEsntumkOrJOGGnEEnJmKTJ4I_-Zr1Vm6EsX91ysvxvoWhu63OSZ8xROkVjxj-j-4dIQ0LaldAAJ9bXWlPjouMyKl3wHravYM0Cjds6n2dO5VNqzN2fH67Vt5xS/s1600/schools+have+learn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz-rJVR25CalWSSYm2ZJEsntumkOrJOGGnEEnJmKTJ4I_-Zr1Vm6EsX91ysvxvoWhu63OSZ8xROkVjxj-j-4dIQ0LaldAAJ9bXWlPjouMyKl3wHravYM0Cjds6n2dO5VNqzN2fH67Vt5xS/s320/schools+have+learn.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In many classrooms across the country tomorrow is the first day of school. Here is a fun little way to start the year off:</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This book may be enjoyable for preschooler and kindergartners, but first and even second graders will enjoy it too. There are lots of twists and wordplay that older children will enjoy: From <em>"Beds have jumps. Cereal has lumps. Good-byes have hugs. Backpacks have lugs."</em> To <em>"History has facts. Math has subtracts. Geometry has lines. Multiplication tables have nines."</em></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>Related Activity:</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Have children write their own version of the story. For younger children you can give them some help by starting off with a title and letting them each write and illustrate a page for a class book. For older children, you can pair them up to write books to share with the class. Some ideas:</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial;">Animals Have Zoos (a book about animals and habitats)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial;">Feet Have Shoes (a book about clothes and/or seasonal clothing)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial;">Skeletons Have Bodies (a book about body parts)</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial;">The ideas are endless!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Related Post for Back to School Books: <a href="http://earlyliteracycounts.blogspot.com/2012/08/book-of-month-night-before-kindergarten.html" target="_blank">The Night Before Kindergarten</a></span>T. Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03345854275926599107noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4186667433819310087.post-14582435934749018642012-08-05T20:35:00.001-04:002012-08-05T20:35:10.956-04:00Book of the Month: The Night Before Kindergarten by Natasha Wing<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0448425009/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0448425009&linkCode=as2&tag=rootogromakea-20"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0448425009&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=rootogromakea-20" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=rootogromakea-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0448425009" style="border: currentColor !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>" 'Twas the night before kindergarten, and as they prepared, kids were excited, and a little bit scared..."</em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This very likable story is one that may be requested over and over again. There's a little twist in the story: it's not the children that have a hard time on their first day, it's instead, the moms & dads: <em>"When what to her wondering eyes should appear but sad moms and dads who were holding back tears..."</em> The story gives a young children a quick peek into the world of kindergarten: circle time, a class pet, music, arts & crafts...It's a perfect read in the weeks before school!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Related Activity:</strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I don't teach kindergarten anymore :( but if I did, I would record myself reading this story on a site like <a href="http://vimeo.com/" target="_blank">Vimeo</a> and email it to the parents of my incoming students so that they can share it with their children. It would be a fun way for the children to get to see and hear you before school starts!</span></div>
<div align="left" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Other "Back To School" Posts:</span></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://earlyliteracycounts.blogspot.com/2009/08/book-of-day-activities-first-day-of.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Book of the Day Activities: The First Day of School</span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Other Books:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://earlyliteracycounts.blogspot.com/2010/09/back-to-school-book-of-day-school-like.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A School Like Mine</span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://earlyliteracycounts.blogspot.com/2010/09/back-to-school-book-of-day.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Chrysanthemum</span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://earlyliteracycounts.blogspot.com/2010/09/back-to-school-book-of-day-if-you-take.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If You Take a Mouse To School</span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://earlyliteracycounts.blogspot.com/2011/08/book-of-month-its-back-to-school-we-go.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's Back To School We Go</span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://earlyliteracycounts.blogspot.com/2010/08/back-to-school-book-of-day-kissing-hand.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Kissing Hand</span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://earlyliteracycounts.blogspot.com/2010/09/back-to-school-book-of-day-maisy-goes.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Maisy Goes to Preschool</span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://earlyliteracycounts.blogspot.com/2010/09/back-to-school-book-of-day-my-teacher.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My Teacher Sleeps in School</span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://earlyliteracycounts.blogspot.com/2010/09/back-to-school-book-of-day-this-is-way.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is the Way We Go to School</span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://earlyliteracycounts.blogspot.com/2010/09/back-to-school-book-of-day-will-i-have.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Will I Have A Friend?</span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Related Stories:</strong> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0448437473/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0448437473&linkCode=as2&tag=rootogromakea-20"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0448437473&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=rootogromakea-20" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=rootogromakea-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0448437473" style="border: currentColor !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0448456222/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0448456222&linkCode=as2&tag=rootogromakea-20"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0448456222&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=rootogromakea-20" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=rootogromakea-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0448456222" style="border: currentColor !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0448454513/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0448454513&linkCode=as2&tag=rootogromakea-20"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0448454513&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=rootogromakea-20" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=rootogromakea-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0448454513" style="border: currentColor !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></span>
</div>T. Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03345854275926599107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4186667433819310087.post-67639622072398631022012-06-14T20:31:00.003-04:002012-06-14T20:31:48.250-04:00BOOK OF THE MONTH: Daddy's Girl by Breena Jacobs<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Book of the Month: Daddy's Girl by Breena Jacobs</span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0974942324/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&tag=rootogromakea-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0974942324"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=0974942324&MarketPlace=US&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&tag=rootogromakea-20&ServiceVersion=20070822" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=rootogromakea-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0974942324" style="border: currentColor !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I came across this book by accident today and fell in LOVE with it. There is simple, rhyming text so even young children will enjoy it. The illustrations are MAGNIFICENT. This is a perfect story for Father's Day or any time of the year. The simple tale of a father and daughter doing every day things - brushing teeth, reading bedtime stories, going to school - are all familiar activities for little ones. I will warn you that if you are a preschool teacher in a non-religious school, there is mention of God. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On another note, This book appears to be a hard one to find. I've sent a message to the publisher...so stay tuned. In the meantime, if you can find a copy of this book, it is worth adding to the library of any little girl who has a special relationship with her dad.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here are a few other reads for Father's Day:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1416941207/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&tag=rootogromakea-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1416941207"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&Format=_SL110_&ASIN=1416941207&MarketPlace=US&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&tag=rootogromakea-20&ServiceVersion=20070822" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=rootogromakea-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1416941207" style="border: currentColor !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0811839141/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&tag=rootogromakea-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0811839141"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&Format=_SL110_&ASIN=0811839141&MarketPlace=US&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&tag=rootogromakea-20&ServiceVersion=20070822" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=rootogromakea-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0811839141" style="border: currentColor !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0756634644/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&tag=rootogromakea-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0756634644"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&Format=_SL110_&ASIN=0756634644&MarketPlace=US&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&tag=rootogromakea-20&ServiceVersion=20070822" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=rootogromakea-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0756634644" style="border: currentColor !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0060543116/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&tag=rootogromakea-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0060543116"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&Format=_SL110_&ASIN=0060543116&MarketPlace=US&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&tag=rootogromakea-20&ServiceVersion=20070822" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=rootogromakea-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0060543116" style="border: currentColor !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0807522937/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&tag=rootogromakea-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0807522937"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&Format=_SL110_&ASIN=0807522937&MarketPlace=US&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&tag=rootogromakea-20&ServiceVersion=20070822" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=rootogromakea-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0807522937" style="border: currentColor !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1584300167/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&tag=rootogromakea-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1584300167"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&Format=_SL110_&ASIN=1584300167&MarketPlace=US&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&tag=rootogromakea-20&ServiceVersion=20070822" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=rootogromakea-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1584300167" style="border: currentColor !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
</div>T. Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03345854275926599107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4186667433819310087.post-1966243560722521172012-06-13T08:00:00.000-04:002012-06-13T08:00:20.702-04:00BOOK OF THE MONTH: Bugs! Bugs! Bugs!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>BOOK OF THE MONTH:</strong></span> </span></div>
<div align="center">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0811822389/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&tag=rootogromakea-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0811822389"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=0811822389&MarketPlace=US&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&tag=rootogromakea-20&ServiceVersion=20070822" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=rootogromakea-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0811822389" style="border: currentColor !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Love them or hate them, bugs are back! Many children are fascinated by at least one type of bug and now that the warm weather has come, it is the perfect time to have children become entomologists!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong>Creepy Crawly Activities:</strong></span><br />
<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Look on You Tube (or other video sites) for bug cams. I found </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSkINTE9Q8Q" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">this one</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> with just a few seconds so I'm sure there are a ton more!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Google the web for diagrams of insects and learn the names and purpose of each part. Here are a few:</span></li>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.bugs.nau.edu/images/arthropod_show_and_bug_camp/build_your_own_bug4.jpg" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Grasshopper</span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/insects/bee/Honeybeecoloring.shtml" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Honeybee</span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://etc.usf.edu/clipart/44600/44692/44692_fly.htm" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fly</span></a></li>
</ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Keep a Bug Journal for one week. Each day the children go outside and find one insect to observe. They can draw or write about their observations in their journal. Encourage children to look in different places - in the soil, on the ground, in the air - and write down where they found their insects. Make a class graph of the places everyone found their insects.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Good List: Make a list of all of the GOOD things insects do for our environment.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Provide children clay and collage materials and encourage chilren to create their own bug and allow them to give their bug a name.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yes or No: Provide children with pictures of various animals and insects (print them from the web and laminate them if you want to keep them for a while). Label one basket "Insects" and the other "Not Insects" and allow children to sort the pictures. This is also a great quiet time activity for those </span><a href="http://earlyliteracycounts.blogspot.com/2010/09/teacher-tip-tuesday-tip-2-quiet-time.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">children who don't nap</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> very long!</span></li>
</ol>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong>Creepy Crawly Links:</strong></span><br />
<ul><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span>
<li><a href="http://prekinders.com/bugs-theme/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bug Theme</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></li>
<li><a href="http://kids.sandiegozoo.org/animals/insects" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">San Diego Zoo Kids: Insects</span></a></li>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span>
<li><a href="http://www.enchantedlearning.com/themes/insects.shtml" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Insects at Enchanted Learning</span></a></li>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span>
<li><a href="http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/bugs/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">National Geographic: Bugs</span></a></li>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span>
<li><a href="http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/photos/bugs/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">National Geograppic Kids: Bugs</span></a></li>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span>
<li><a href="http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/kids/insects/insectintro.htm" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sci4Kids: Insects</span></a></li>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span>
<li><a href="http://www.naturesongs.com/insects.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Insect Sounds</span></a></li>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span>
<li><a href="http://www.dltk-kids.com/crafts/insects/crafts.htm" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bug Crafts</span></a></li>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span>
<li><a href="http://www.heatersworld.com/bugworld/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">AntBoys Bug World</span></a></li>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong>More Creepy Crawly Books:</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<a href="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&Format=_SL110_&ASIN=0881064963&MarketPlace=US&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&tag=rootogromakea-20&ServiceVersion=20070822" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&Format=_SL110_&ASIN=0881064963&MarketPlace=US&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&tag=rootogromakea-20&ServiceVersion=20070822" /></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0881064963/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&tag=rootogromakea-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0881064963" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0881064505/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&tag=rootogromakea-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0881064505"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&Format=_SL110_&ASIN=0881064505&MarketPlace=US&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&tag=rootogromakea-20&ServiceVersion=20070822" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=rootogromakea-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0881064505" style="border: currentColor !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0789465205/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&tag=rootogromakea-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0789465205"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&Format=_SL110_&ASIN=0789465205&MarketPlace=US&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&tag=rootogromakea-20&ServiceVersion=20070822" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=rootogromakea-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0789465205" style="border: currentColor !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=rootogromakea-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0881064963" style="border: currentColor !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Special Thank You:</span></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Over one year ago, I received a product review request from EZ Socks. Before we could test the socks, using my then-2-year old niece, I had to </span><a href="http://earlyliteracycounts.blogspot.com/2011/02/learning-to-live-new-normal.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">take a break</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> from blogging. My niece has just turned four and is quite the pro now at putting on her socks. I am sorry that I didn't get to give a fair review of EZ Socks but I hope that my readers check them out: </span><a href="http://www.ezsox.com/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">http://www.ezsox.com/</span></a>T. Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03345854275926599107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4186667433819310087.post-61309539198049743462012-05-30T08:00:00.000-04:002012-05-30T08:00:05.045-04:00Helping Children Learn about Letters and Words Guest Post by Renee Abramovitz<br />
<div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); border-style: none; font-size: 13px; line-height: 0.15in; margin-bottom: 0in; padding: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgteBF15CZzfPGkEdPB_zWLmXcSx8nUhzjWO2-oyuCoL7Htd-kRJd9PQjdp1TRIFiaYVO36sMFRbOVaRtOmeSdnTBQZ4K6KRQv9kN9O36YDsoythRM4jAN4M9O4LWlvXzu2YhyM51ct3s-Z/s1600/teachertiptuesday_morguefile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgteBF15CZzfPGkEdPB_zWLmXcSx8nUhzjWO2-oyuCoL7Htd-kRJd9PQjdp1TRIFiaYVO36sMFRbOVaRtOmeSdnTBQZ4K6KRQv9kN9O36YDsoythRM4jAN4M9O4LWlvXzu2YhyM51ct3s-Z/s320/teachertiptuesday_morguefile.jpg" width="240" /></a><span style="color: black;"><b style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><br /></b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To a young child, letters are just funny symbols on a page. Some are tall and straight, others are looping with big curves. With a little guidance, you can help even a young child develop strong </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy;"><span lang="zxx"><span style="color: black;">letter and word awareness skills</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"> so that he or she can begin to understand the important role letters and words play in our environment</span><span style="color: black;">.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); border-style: none; color: #222222; font-size: 13px; line-height: 0.15in; margin-bottom: 0in; padding: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 0.15in;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); border-style: none; color: #222222; font-size: 13px; line-height: 0.15in; margin-bottom: 0in; padding: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 0.15in;">Fun games and engaging </span><span style="color: navy; line-height: 0.15in;"><span lang="zxx"><span style="color: black;">letter worksheets</span></span></span><span style="color: black; line-height: 0.15in;"> are simple ways to help your child.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); border-style: none; color: #222222; font-size: 13px; line-height: 0.15in; margin-bottom: 0in; padding: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); border-style: none; color: #222222; font-size: 13px; line-height: 0.15in; margin-bottom: 0in; padding: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Try this at home:</b></span></div>
<div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1) Read simple picture books to your child; those having just a few words or a single sentence on each page are best for this. Point to each word as you read it and encourage your child to point along with you or to point to the word after you read it aloud.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2) Label some key places in your house with the word printed in uppercase letters on a piece of paper or a note card. Some suggestions would be to label the door, window, wall, shelf, bed and drawer in your child’s bedroom.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3) Let your child dictate a thank-you note or birthday card, for example, to a relative or friend. Write each word in uppercase letters as he says it to you. Keep the message short. Read it back to your child when you are finished printing. Give your child a chance to “read” his card from memory back to you or another family member.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4) Point out words in the environment, such as STOP on the street corner or DONUTS on his favorite snack restaurant. Ask your child to point out signs he recognizes.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5) Point out words in your child’s environment, such as names on cereal or toy boxes.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6) Write your child’s name on his belongings and point it out to him when he is getting dressed or using a labeled item (such as a backpack or pencil box).</span></div>
<div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">7) When reading short, simple picture books, go back to some pages and say: “Let’s count the number of words in that sentence.” And then point to each word as you count, instead of read, the word.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">8) Play the “Mailman Game.” Write a short message to your child on a card and deliver it to him as if you are a mailman. Read him the message when you give it to him or when he takes it out of the envelope. “I love you.” or “Grandma is coming soon.” are some examples.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">9) Let your child add to your grocery list. Write the item on the list as he watches you. When he wants you to buy something, that word will be very important to him!</span></div>
<div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">10) Complete colorful alphabet letter worksheets. Pick </span><span style="color: navy;"><span lang="zxx"><span style="color: black;">letter coloring pages</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"> that focus on introducing one letter at a time for younger children or pick a</span><span style="color: navy;"><span lang="zxx"><span style="color: black;">letter awareness worksheet</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"> that focuses on many letters at a time for older children.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<span style="font-family: 'times new roman', serif;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 0.15in;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span style="color: black; line-height: 0.15in;">Renee Abramovitz is a retired preschool and kindergarten teacher and proud grandma to four beautiful little boys. Visit Renee at</span><span style="color: navy; line-height: 0.15in;"><span lang="zxx"><u><a href="http://www.schoolsparks.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">www.schoolsparks.com</a></u></span></span><span style="color: black; line-height: 0.15in;"> to find a free </span><span style="color: navy; line-height: 0.15in;"><span lang="zxx"><u><a href="http://www.schoolsparks.com/kindergarten-readiness-test" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">kindergarten readiness test</a></u></span></span><span style="color: black; line-height: 0.15in;"> parents can take to see if their kids are ready to start preschool or kindergarten and hundreds of free </span><span style="color: navy; line-height: 0.15in;"><span lang="zxx"><u><a href="http://www.schoolsparks.com/kindergarten-worksheets" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">kindergarten worksheets</a></u></span></span><span style="color: black; line-height: 0.15in;"> to help children develop critical school readiness skills.</span></i></span></div>T. Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03345854275926599107noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4186667433819310087.post-70758710462516117792012-04-17T11:26:00.000-04:002012-04-17T11:26:00.481-04:00Book for Kids Day<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.baltimorereads.org/?gclid=CPCo0pS2ka8CFaERNAodQhgN0w" target="_blank"><img alt="" src="http://www.booksforkidsday.org/images/reads_logo_cmyk_ver8_0_flat_-_small_verstion_for_cc_wlnl.jpg" style="border: 0px solid currentColor;" /></a></div>
<br />
Here in Baltimore, we have a wonderful organization, <a href="http://www.baltimorereads.org/index.html" target="_blank">Baltimore Reads</a>, that hosts <a href="http://www.booksforkidsday.org/" target="_blank">Book for Kids Day</a> every spring. Teachers, schools, children, and families benefit from the monetary and book donations made by members of our community. I am asking all of my readers to do one thing to help get books in the hand of a child/family in need. Here are some ideas:<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>Call your local literacy organizations and ask them how you can help.</li>
<li>Donate your gently used children's books to a school in a low-income neighborhood. I'm sure there is always a teacher who will be grateful for them.</li>
<li>Look for a non-profit or family child care center in your area and ask if they need book donations.</li>
<li>Contact a local women and children's shelter and ask them if they are in need of any book donations. </li>
<li>Start your own book drive and donate books to a local foster home or other agency in need.</li>
</ol>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">Product Give Away:</span></strong></div>
Comment below to tell us what you are doing to help children in your community get access to books. A random winner will be selected to win two sets of <a href="http://www.childup.com/early-learning-math-and-logic-1" target="_blank">Counting Cards from Child Up.</a> <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img src="http://www.childup.com/50/early-learning-math-and-logic-1.jpg" title="Teach Your Child to Count to 10 - Math & Logic 1" /> and <img alt="Teach Your Child to Count to 20 - Math & Logic 2" src="http://www.childup.com/51/early-learning-math-and-logic-2.jpg" /></div>T. Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03345854275926599107noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4186667433819310087.post-23647770402353856732012-04-03T11:00:00.000-04:002012-04-03T11:00:04.358-04:00BOOK OF THE MONTH: Spring Goes Squish<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>BOOK OF THE MONTH: Spring Goes Squish</strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1559333154/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&tag=rootogromakea-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1559333154"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=1559333154&MarketPlace=US&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&tag=rootogromakea-20&ServiceVersion=20070822" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=rootogromakea-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1559333154" style="border: currentColor !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
</div>
<br />
<div>
My absolute favorite time of the year is spring!! I love seeing flowers bloom. I love the spring weather - not too hot, not too cold. Open windows...walks in the parks...what's not to love about the season? Well, according to Marty Kelly there's lots not to like: disappearing kites, runny noses, chirping birds, splashing buses...this humorous and rhyming tale will get more than a few chuckles from your preschoolers!</div>
<br />
<strong>Related Activities:</strong><br />
<ul>
<li>Introduce the word "<strong>o</strong><span dir="auto"><strong>nomatopoeia</strong>." Children just love BIG and funny sounding words. And it's a big word for something that they already know! What other words are also sounds? Squish, tick-tock, chirp, splash... the list will get longer and longer. Keep a long piece of paper hanging in the classroom and add words to the list as children think of them.</span></li>
<li>Introduce some <strong>letter blends</strong>. SPLASH begins with the /sq/ sound. Let the children list other words that begin with this sound: spring, spend, space, speckle, spaghetti, sparkle, etc. SQUISH begins with the /sq/ sound: squash, squid, squat, square, squeal, etc.</li>
<li>To simulate <strong>mud</strong>, use brown fingerpaint.</li>
<li>In the <strong>sensory table</strong>, add soil, fake flowers, and gardening tools.</li>
<li>Go on a <strong>spring walk</strong> and allow the children to take photographs (this may work best in small groups if you have a large class). Make a <strong>class book</strong> with the photos! You can also post them online for parents to see at home.</li>
<li>Make <strong>spring flowers</strong>. <a href="http://www.preschoolexpress.com/art_station02/art_station_may02.shtml">Preschool Express</a> has lots of craft ideas for flower-making!</li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Bonus Book of the Month</span></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/160718138X/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&tag=rootogromakea-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=160718138X"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&Format=_SL110_&ASIN=160718138X&MarketPlace=US&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&tag=rootogromakea-20&ServiceVersion=20070822" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=rootogromakea-20&l=as2&o=1&a=160718138X" style="border: currentColor !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
</div>
<br />
This book is one in a series that brings concepts to life for young learners. In this book, children lean about insects and multiplication at the same time. "Nine brilliant fireflies twinkle in the dark - glowing lights flash on and off, How many in the park? 9 x 1 = ?" Children have large, beautifully illustrated pictures where they can count the fireflies. If I were introducing multiplication, I don't know an easier, more vibrant book to use! Ok..here's another one: "Four hungry honey bees dance a buggy beat - tappin' with six furry legs. How many dancing feet? 4 x 6 = ?" This book will be hard for me to give away - my four year old niece loves it! I thought it would be a bit above her head but she really gets it and loves counting each page. For adults and older students (just like <a href="http://earlyliteracycounts.blogspot.com/2011/10/two-book-give-away-animalogy-and-hey.html">Animology and Hey Diddle Diddle</a>), there are six activity pages in the back and more activities <a href="http://www.sylvandellpublishing.com/bookpage.php?id=99" target="_blank">online</a>. <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>The first person to comment on this post will win this awesome book!</strong></div>
<br />
<div>
<strong><span style="color: #38761d;">More Spring Posts:</span></strong></div>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://earlyliteracycounts.blogspot.com/2011/03/march-comes-in-like-lion.html">March Comes in Like a Lion...</a></li>
<li><a href="http://earlyliteracycounts.blogspot.com/2011/03/and-goes-out-like-lamb.html">...And Goes Out Like a Lamb</a></li>
<li><a href="http://earlyliteracycounts.blogspot.com/2010/04/teachable-moments-by-renee-armstead.html">Teachable Moments</a></li>
<li><a href="http://earlyliteracycounts.blogspot.com/2011/03/book-of-day-bring-on-birds-by-susan.html">Bring on the Birds</a></li>
</ul>T. Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03345854275926599107noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4186667433819310087.post-63317602887355177012012-01-25T11:09:00.002-05:002012-01-25T11:09:00.175-05:00Gender Equal or Gender Neutral? <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXbAsBlCUFK-ewrEu-mf9n5UmhihDS7n-LoabwN9T-zvIPgWz5RCKT_Yp9EI_Ycq07771-ta_WJ8HTIzvkgTfPfcbpqJxSl8QsixsO0DXi9DMyaGqvcad8f85ggv-7H0hxOPfS3FAeKNg-/s1600/Gender+Neutral+Preschool+AP+Photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXbAsBlCUFK-ewrEu-mf9n5UmhihDS7n-LoabwN9T-zvIPgWz5RCKT_Yp9EI_Ycq07771-ta_WJ8HTIzvkgTfPfcbpqJxSl8QsixsO0DXi9DMyaGqvcad8f85ggv-7H0hxOPfS3FAeKNg-/s320/Gender+Neutral+Preschool+AP+Photo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Associated Press Photo By Scanpix Sweden, Fredrik Sandberg</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I came across this interesting article about a </span><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/no-him-her-preschool-fights-gender-bias-122541829.html"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">preschool in Stockholm</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> that seems to strive, not just for gender equality, but for <strong>gender neutrality</strong> in some ways. I found the article after reading about a family who didn't </span><a href="http://shine.yahoo.com/parenting/couple-finally-reveals-childs-gender-five-years-birth-180300388.html"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">reveal their child's sex until the age of five</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Some things make perfect sense to me: putting Legos and Blocks in or near the housekeeping area, providing books about adoption and all kinds of families, and downplaying the superhero/princess pitfalls. But I find it a bit curious that the school doesn't use gender words like, "he" and "she" and they've even made up a word, "hen," when referring to a person that has not yet been identified as male or female. </span><br />
<ul><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What do you guys think of this? </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Where do you draw the gender line? </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What do you do to promote gender equality in your programs?</span></li>
</ul>T. Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03345854275926599107noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4186667433819310087.post-657411472802195462012-01-23T08:00:00.002-05:002012-01-23T08:00:01.958-05:00What is your favorite version of Goldilocks and the Three Bears?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw-8huRmObPwoF9mKivTM4G3Hok7b-T9EPd7UU-pyGX6hwEW3CTmGdeX-u6S8NidU0nOeIqIaNOT6GFctWpg-KafIAnGXIU1JQ6H6l_fVuopPf6XIMGPiVIPyJjHI6mjJXHKM83DMV_4VJ/s200/goldilocks.jpg" width="158" /></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My brother called me today and asked for a recommendation on the best version of The Three Bears for my niece (who is 3 1/2 going on 7). The first version that came to mind was by Jan Brett but I know that there are so many others! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What are your favortie versions of this story? Comment on the blog or tweet me at </span><a href="http://twitter.com/literacycounts"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">@LiteracyCounts</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. </span>T. Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03345854275926599107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4186667433819310087.post-31024583303391018862012-01-18T10:42:00.004-05:002012-01-21T10:53:43.354-05:00System Overload<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hello Readers, Bloggers, Educators, Parents, and Literature Lovers! I have been M.I.A. for a while I know. It's been a bit challenging to find time to write lately. You may remember that I had to</span><a href="http://earlyliteracycounts.blogspot.com/2010/12/taking-break.html"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> take a break</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> a while back. Life is still throwing some curve balls my way. Because of my current work situation, I'm doing the work of two people (but getting paid for the work of one, LOL. But isn't that how it always is?). Hopefully someone will be hired soon and I can have my free time back. But right now, my life is filled with the JOY of helping to take care of my niece and nephew and the BURDEN of extra work. But please don't take that in a negative way. In this world, I am grateful to be gainfully employed. And even though there is more work on my plate, I work at a place that I want to see THRIVE so I'm putting in all of the extra energy that I have.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I learned quickly how to live a </span><a href="http://earlyliteracycounts.blogspot.com/2011/02/learning-to-live-new-normal.html"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">new normal</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, and when I can return to that normal, I will be back to blog. Every now and then, I will pop in to write a quick post. But if there are any educators or parents who would be interested in doing a guest post, email me at <span style="color: purple;">earlyliteracycounts at gmail dot com</span>.</span>T. Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03345854275926599107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4186667433819310087.post-19399722247484741572011-11-21T08:00:00.001-05:002011-11-21T08:00:08.803-05:00Goodnight iPad<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just last year, I was panicked at the thought of eBooks <strike>taking over the world</strike> replacing traditional books for children. Since I've written that post, I've had more first hand experience with ebooks for children. My three year old niece (who is almost 4 now!) has her own page of apps on my iPad. She loves The Monster at the End of this Book, Bob Books, I Like Books, and Olivia Acts Out. I am pretty impressed at her proficiency and at the interactive nature of some of these books. But while the iPad versions are fun and educational, at night, when her Dad tucks her in, she still reaches for traditional books (whew!). And her baby brother can't resist his own pile of books - soft books, cloth books, fuzzy books, and all of the books that he can safely pick up, touch, feel, and yes, even chew. So, I'm no longer worried that eBooks will take over the world... or WILL THEY...?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/-ouOwpYQqic" width="560"></iframe></span>T. Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03345854275926599107noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4186667433819310087.post-78003747904922745842011-11-17T08:00:00.004-05:002011-11-17T08:00:12.704-05:00We can Change the World<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Sesame Street Puppet with no name (</span><a href="http://earlyliteracycounts.blogspot.com/2010/10/sesame-street-writer-joey-mazzarino.html"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">we should give her a name</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">!) is back with Change the World! First </span><a href="http://earlyliteracycounts.blogspot.com/2010/10/i-love-my-hair.html"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">we loved our hair</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, now we can change the world. I LOVE it!</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/f9X0lI_Ol9Y" width="560"></iframe>T. Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03345854275926599107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4186667433819310087.post-43163134858408691772011-11-13T15:56:00.000-05:002011-11-13T15:56:52.768-05:00And the Winner Is...<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Congratulations to </span><a href="http://geolibrarian.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Heidi Grange at Geo Librarian</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">! She commented on </span><a href="http://earlyliteracycounts.blogspot.com/2011/09/literacy-challenges-of-at-risk-boys.html"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Literacy Challenges of At Risk Boys</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> and her comment number was randomly selected at Random.org. Heidi will win these two books:</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwp6FmTLaxd2UKSHZ1tu9MBWCTqRVxiDKyULTUO1uXyOMn_8HDlh5A2913lhaggJXWBvG8YpmT3tanGn9vO9AgO72xZ9Tu8M9hfhLjTzdrYoC5qxDp367vMR6reFr5qRby-nYvJWTXQK8L/s200/heydiddlediddle.jpg" width="170" /><a href="http://earlyliteracycounts.blogspot.com/2011/10/two-book-give-away-animalogy-and-hey.html"><img border="0" height="200" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk6uG-GleAgOk-G2kvs8zPbuO9xM5sdjK9Pde_W3tyan4Jn2wBQBmewRfMOS2LX_z9C-koLpo9hP9E5oZY0BJiwl6lAsbTPtlM_oKXgHai5h7v26PMKkYpGgkpz7KulBBX1f0V7UfUAqou/s200/animalogy.jpg" width="170" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>T. Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03345854275926599107noreply@blogger.com0