read-aloud learning

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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learning during read-alouds: what IS reading?

March 22, 2012

So. . . what IS reading? Is it the ability to read a single word on a page? Is it the ability to read every single word on a page? Is it the ability to retell a story? Is it the ability to read fluently, to sound natural while reading? Is it the ability to understand what [...]

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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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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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learning during read-alouds: improving fluency

November 16, 2011

Fluency is a tricky–but totally important–element of reading comprehension. No. Question. About it. And though research is funny about fluency’s roll in reading comprehension, I’m a firm believer in the fact that in order to fully understand what is being read, it must be read fluently. Lately, fluency has been my focus for Maddy and [...]

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learning during read-alouds: print referencing

October 3, 2011

Some days, it takes every ounce of energy in my being to keep my tired eyes open during the time I’m reading books with Maddy, Owen, and Cora. Some nights, book time is the very first time I sit–or lay–down, and I yawn like every five seconds. Some nights, I feel like I did waaaay [...]

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magazine hunt: reading and rockin’ it (& highlights giveaway!)

September 30, 2011

This New For Us Friday I’m sharing a new-for-Cora activity and a new-for-us event: the fab, super-fun magazine hunt and Highlight’s State of the Kid Survey, which involved a press event that Cora and I attended together in the city. With being in DC three times in four days last week, on top of playdates, [...]

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mom’s homeroom: ideas, advice, videos, crazy-cool blogs

September 21, 2011

I am over the moon to share some exciting news: I’ve been working with MSN and Frosted Mini-Wheats for the last few months, writing as a Featured Blogger and doing some video pieces for Mom’s Homeroom! Mom’s Homeroom is an online resource designed to help parents ‘empower their children to succeed in school’–something I feel [...]

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learning during read-alouds: oral language development

September 12, 2011

Sometimes, simple is better.  Sometimes, more choices make us more confused. If Maddy, Owen, and Cora were shown an amazing pallet of face paints and were able to choose anything in the world they wanted designed on their cheeks or arms, I’m betting they’d all balk. Either it would take 30 minutes for them to [...]

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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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