balanced literacy

learning during read-alouds: critical thinking, new literacies

May 14, 2012

I read an extremely interesting article this week that has really left me thinking about how I read with my children. It left me thinking about my expectations for what we discuss and for what my children are capable of gaining from texts. It left me thinking about how deeply we delve into the books [...]

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how to develop language through play

May 7, 2012

I’m excited to share a few posts I’ve written that focus on developing children’s language through play. Each short article offers parents two teeny little tips that they can easily implement–with just a little bit of focus and effort–to  help their children become more verbal and stronger speakers.  Both pieces were written on the Melissa [...]

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homemade alphabet book: get personal with the abc’s

April 11, 2012

There’s been a ton of little things that we’ve done over here to help Maddy, Owen, and Cora learn the letters of the alphabet, but I have to say that an all-time favorite of theirs has to be their Homemade Alphabet Books. And really, the Homemade Alphabet Books are not all that crazy, gorgeous, or [...]

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quick trick: take reading on the road

April 9, 2012

A few weeks ago, I took the kids to Pennsylvania for the weekend–another solo trip and one I’ve done dozens of times before. But what I realized is that the packing and prep I once spent hours doing for my solo trips with three little ones has now been cut considerably; however, that’s not to [...]

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st. patrick’s day joke notes: more lunchbox love

March 7, 2012

St. Patty’s Day is around the corner, but over here we’ve been decorated and green for the last three weeks!  We love that the green reminds us that spring is around the corner and that Easter will be here shortly, then family birthdays, and soon. . . summer! Surprisingly, I haven’t made super-fun lunchbox love [...]

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10 tips for read-aloud learning

March 6, 2012

Hip, hip HOORAY! This week has a little gem of a day hiding inside — World Read Aloud Day! March 7th is World Read Aloud Day, and I stand firmly behind the idea that every child, every person should be able to read.  And who wouldn’t, right? And I’m a huge fan of reading aloud–with [...]

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fab resources for read across america week (& giveaway!)

February 27, 2012

It’s Read Across America Week! Everyone who’s anyone will be reading, thinking, talking, dreaming a little bit o’ Dr. Seuss this week, to celebrate literacy and to recognize the accomplishments of the talented Theodor Seuss Geisel, THE Dr. Seuss, whose birthday is March 2.  He would be 108 this year, but really–who’s counting? PBS Kids [...]

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learning to spell contractions: sneaky games and play

February 22, 2012

We were so thankful for the gorgeous three-day weekend to slowly get us back on track and to allow us to (kind of) regain control over the mess that had become of our home.  After being away last week, the game nights, our movie night, book-reading, errands–even cleaning and organizing with the kids–was really a [...]

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learning with pet poetry (& fun giveaway!)

February 9, 2012

We love our pooch, we really do. Sure, sometimes I say things to him that I wish I didn’t.   No, Maddy, I  promise we’ll never give Brady away, I promise. I’m just frustrated.  . . Owen, Sweetheart, we are not taking Brady back to Miss Marty’s farm and to his mom and dad. He will [...]

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rich, diverse digital resources for learning: PBS LearningMedia

January 20, 2012

So many times–without thinking–I look to those old standbys when I am searching for information on the web. Whether it’s just the basics or for cool multi-media clips to clarify Maddy, Owen, or Cora’s learning from school or the random questions in their heads, I’ll admit it: I often get lazy. I’ll turn on the [...]

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best of teach mama countdown: #2 — spelling words

January 12, 2012

Yay! We’re getting down to the wire with this teach mama top 10 all-time best countdown! This post is one that I have shared probably more than times than any other post I’ve written.  It seems that most of the emails that I receive are from parents who are tired, desperate, and . . . [...]

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