book reviews

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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bullying: end it at home, school, everywhere

April 5, 2012

Thanks to The Bully Project for sponsoring my writing. Visit their website to join the movement and learn more.     Bullying is not okay. It’s not okay at home, at school, on the field–anywhere. And though a lot of families view ‘sibling issues’ as, ohhh, just a part of life–we do not. For us, [...]

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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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new for us friday: bipper bSafe (FREE safety app for smart phones)

January 13, 2012

Every single day I hear about some sort of new and snazzy app that I have to download, that I must try, that will absolutely change my life. (Okay, maybe not change my life–but at least entertain my kids, teach them a little something, or help me organize my purchases, household, or writing.) And many [...]

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learning during read-alouds: non-fiction that WORKS

December 12, 2011

The first few times Owen had media at school this year, he came home with the most random books. His first book was an Arthur book that we already have here at home.  Then he came home with a non-fiction book about Chihuahuas. The next week, he picked yet another book that we have here [...]

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just 1 book: author melissa ridenour (& signed book giveaway)

November 14, 2011

It’s not always an easy topic to cover with children, but stranger safety should be tops on our list of must-cover items with our children. Today’s just 1 book contributor has written a book that will help caregivers with this difficult task, and the author shares the heartbreaking event in her life that led her [...]

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just 1 book: author mabel katz (& signed book giveaway)

October 24, 2011

Welcome back, just 1 book! It’s been a bit since we’ve run this feature, but we are ready and rarin’ to go! I’ve met so many incredibly talented people in the last few months, since the uber busy Smart Summer Challenge (which put the ‘just 1 book’ feature on hold), but we’ve finally got an [...]

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national book festival and gala: what I learned

September 26, 2011

My most favorite night of the year was last Friday night: The National Book Festival Gala. The National Book Festival is in its 11th year, and this year for the first time ever, it was two days of festivities on the Mall in DC–more than 100 authors, poets, and illustrators were there. It. Is. SototallyawesomeIcannotevenexplainit. [...]

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new for us friday: newmark learning early reading resources (and FOUR giveaways!)

September 9, 2011

Nearly every parent I know wants to do what he or she can to support early learning for their children. We all want to see our kids grow to enjoy reading, to master their math facts, to develop a love of learning, and to carry a natural curiosity about the world around them. But it’s [...]

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trying tapas: rockville restaurant week (& giveaway!)

September 7, 2011

For the last few days, Cora and I have read Susan Middleton Elya’s Bebé Goes Shopping more times than I can count. In the story, Mamá y Bebé take a trip to the supermercado, and along the way. . . . . . [j]ust as Mamá is ready to throw up her manos, she gives [...]

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learning during read-alouds: making back-to-school connections

August 29, 2011

Today I sent the big O-man off to Kindergarten and Maddy off to second grade, and I absolutely cannot believe it. If I think about it too much, I seriously might burst into tears.  Weren’t they just in diapers? Crawling around on the floor?  Where’s the time going? Though Cora and I will soon adjust [...]

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