read-aloud learning Archives

to correct or not to correct when kids make reading mistakes

09 | 20 | 2016

Okay, friends.

To correct or not to correct your child’s reading: that is the question.

So many people have asked me about this, so I made it one of my reading tips. Check it out.

Think about how you feel when people tell you you’re wrong. Especially when you’re taking a risk and aren’t quite sure of yourself.

It’s hard to hear you’re wrong. It sometimes hurts to hear:

Come on! I know you know this. You just read it. . .
Nope. You’re wrong. That word is. . .
Stop. Slow down.
Come up, Honey. Pick up the pace a bit.
Try it again. You read that word wrong.

And even though our hearts are in the right place, there are better ways. Sure. we all want our kids to become better readers. That’s a fact.

But I promise, friends. There are better ways of getting there.

Check it out:

Like this video? Check out the whole #RaiseAReader playlist and definitely subscribe to our channel!

Need — or want–to know MORE about what to say when kids make reading mistakes? Click on the image below:

And here are a few more posts on all things early literacy. . .

(Click on the image to find the post!)

What burning questions do you have about reading or literacy? I’d love to hear them so that I can (hopefully!) address the topic during one of the videos.

Just leave it below, and I’ll do what I can to cover it. Looking forward to this!

Follow along wherever works best for you, my friends, with the hashtag #RaiseAReader —

follow daily on YouTube;
follow daily on Snapchat;
follow daily on Facebook;
follow daily on Twitter;
follow daily on Instagram.

Cheers, and happy reading during this incredibly exciting journey!

Want a few more early literacy or alphabet activities? Check out:

backyard alphabet hunt
homemade alphabet book
leafy letter learning
ABC hunt
on the road ABC hunt
lowercase ABC hunt
build your own bingo: uppercase and lowercase match
ABC cards and clothespin match
alphabet letter splash
alphabingo (play with lowercase letters)
alphabet letter lids
leafy outdoor alphabet hunt
build your own board game
clothespin letter match
10 fun ways to learn the alphabet

Follow us on pinterest, and check out our literacy pins:

Follow amy mascott @teachmama’s board literacy on Pinterest.

celebrate multicultural children’s books! (BIG book bundle giveaway!)

08 | 16 | 2016

It’s time for the 2nd Annual Multicultural Children’s Book Giveaway and KidLit TV is teaming up with Pragmatic Mom, Jump into a Book, Franticmommy, The Educators Spin On It, What Do We Do All Day?, Teach Mama, andMulticultural Children’s Book Day to give parents, teachers, and librarians in need, a chance to win a multicultural book bundle for their school library.

Libraries play an important role in everyone’s life. The library is a place where knowledge and the love of reading shine! However, budgets for school programs are being cut, and school libraries have been heavily affected. Hours for library time have been shortened in some schools, and even non-existent in others.

Up until September 30th you can enter to win a curated bundle of multicultural books featuringStoryMakers guests and additional kid lit authors.

BOOKS IN GIVEAWAY BUNDLE!

Marvelous Cornelius
Written by Phil Bildner, illustrated by John Parra
Published by Chronicle Books

In New Orleans, there lived a man who saw the streets as his calling, and he swept them clean. He danced up one avenue and down another and everyone danced along. The old ladies whistled and whirled. The old men hooted and hollered. The barbers, bead twirlers, and beignet bakers bounded behind that one-man parade.

My Forgotten Self
Written by Lynyetta G. Willis, illustrated by Michele Phillips
Published by Inner Pathway’s Publishing

Tiev is a playful girl who vividly dreams about the many paths her life can take. However, when she shares these dreams with her family, they quickly tell her why she cannot be any of the things her heart desires. Feeling lost, hurt, and confused, Tiev encounters a powerful and loving Being. Tiev gets a glimpse into who she truly is and the amazing gifts waiting for her along each of her desired paths.

Monster Needs Your Vote
Written and by Paul Czajak, illustrated by Wendy Grieb
Published by Mighty Media Kids

Election season is here and Monster is ready to vote but, why cast your ballot when you can run for president instead? With speeches, debates, and a soapbox or two, Monster’s new tale is a campaign to encourage kids to stand up and fight for what the believe in!

Little Elliot, Big Fun
Written and Illustrated by Mike Curato
Published by Henry Holt & Company

Little Elliot, the polka-dotted elephant, and his friend Mouse go to the amusement park to see the sights and ride water chutes, roller coasters, carousels, and more. But Elliot isn’t having much fun the rides are too wet, too fast, and just too scary until Mouse figures out a way to help him overcome his fears. Together, Mouse and Little Elliot can do anything!

Emma and Julia Love Ballet
Written and illustrated by Barbara McClintock
Published by Scholastic Press

Emma is little and Julia is big. They both love ballet. Emma is learning to be a ballerina andJulia is a professional ballerina. They are both excited about the big performance in the theater tonight. Emma will be watching from the audience and Julia will be dancing onstage! Afterward, Emma will go backstage to meet her ballet hero!

Booked
Written by Kwame Alexander
Published by HMH Books for Young Readers

Twelve-year-old Nick learns the power of words as he wrestles with problems at home, stands up to a bully, and tries to impress the girl of his dreams. Helping him along are his best friend and teammate Coby, and The Mac.

Peep and Egg
Written by Laura Gehl, illustrated by Joyce Wan
Published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux

Peep wants Egg to hatch so they can do fun things together, like watch the sunrise, splash in puddles, and play hide-and-seek. But Egg is “not cracking.”

Marta! Big & Small
Written by Jennifer Arena, illustrated by Jen Arena & Angela Dominguez
Published by Roaring Brook Press

As Marta explores the jungle, she knows she’s bigger than a bug, smaller than an elephant, and faster than a turtle. But then she meets the snake, who thinks Marta is “sabrosa” tasty, very tasty But Marta is “ingeniosa,” a very clever girl, and she outsmarts the snake with hilarious results.With simple Spanish and a glossary at the end, this fun read-aloud picture book teaches little ones to identify opposites and animals and learn new words.

Monster Slayer
Written by Gladys Barbieri, illustrated by Linar Safar
Published by Castlebridge Books

Spirited Gladys Elizabeth has a big problem: her pesky little sister. But when the monsters come out at night and interrupt her sleep, she realizes she is not up for the challenge. An unlikely ally shows up just in time, and Gladys Elizabeth learns a valuable lesson about the meaning of family

A Morning With Grandpa
Written by Sylvia Liu, illustrated by Christina Forshay
Published by Lee & Low Books

Mei Mei’s grandpa is practicing tai chi in the garden, and Mei Mei is eager to join in. As Gong Gong tries to teach her the slow, graceful movements, Mei Mei enthusiastically does them with her own flair. Then Mei Mei takes a turn, trying to teach Gong Gong the yoga she learned in school. Will Gong Gong be able to master the stretchy, bendy poses?

Kai and the Magic Jacket
Written and illustrated by Tricia Chinn Campbell
Published by Blissful Thinking Publishing

When Kai receives an anonymous gift, he is unexpectedly introduced to ancestors from another time. In this coming of age story, Kai is offered guidance while confronted with choices and peer pressure. Kai And The Magic Jacket will encourage children to develop confidence!

Here’s how it works:

Enter to win via the Rafflecopter widget below.
Winners are chosen randomly. We’ll notify all winners via email.
You’ll give us the name of your librarian, and address of your school library.
We’ll send the books to your school library, in your name!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thank you to these featured publishers for producing wonderful multicultural books.

Lee and Low
Inner Pathway’s Publishing
Blissful Thinking Publishing
Mighty Media Kids
Henry Holt & Company
Scholastic Press
HMH Books for Young Readers
Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Chronicle Books
Roaring Brook Press
Castlebridge Books

Current and former librarians share why they believe school libraries are essential:

A school is just a building, a floor, walls, doors, windows and a roof, without a library. A vibrant library program is the life force of a school; a professional librarian, the heart which keeps it moving. Our school libraries foster innovative thinking, a desire to locate the truth in the most efficient way, and a sincere love of reading. School libraries are not a luxury; they are a fundamental and essential element in generating and insuring lifelong learning. — Margie Myers-Culver, K-12 Certified Teacher Librarian

As a retired school librarian, I certainly know the importance of school libraries. With more and more school librarians being eliminated it is of the utmost importance that we advocate and publicize the important role they play. — Rocco Staino, Contributing Editor, School Library Journal Director, Empire State Center for the Book Host, KidLit TV’s StoryMakers

ABOUT

Pragmatic Mom
Pragmatic Mom was born of several circumstances; one child’s lackluster academic year, a mishap during a reading session, and realizing it was okay for a mom to love kid lit more than adult fiction. Mia Wenjen chronicles her family’s journey through education, parenting, and children’s literature via Pragmatic Mom. Mia is a leader in literacy and parenting. She is one of the co-founders of Multicultural Children’s Book Day.

Connect with Pragmatic Mom on Facebook, Google+, Pinterest, and Twitter.

Jump Into A Book
Jump Into A Book (JIAB) is a site about the love of children’s books and how they can be incorporated into our everyday lives through play, crafting, cooking, movies, games, traveling and author visits. At JIAB, they strive to pull books off shelves and stories off pages to create reading experiences for families. Amazon and iTunes best-selling author and founder of Audrey Press, Valarie Budayr is a play and reading advocate, whose mission is to inspire children, families, and communities to experience and create a world together through books while having fun.

Connect with Jump Into A Book on Facebook, Google+, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter.

Franticmommy
Rebecca Flansburg (a.k.a Franticmommy), is a freelance writer, blogger and virtual assistant. Franticmommy.com, is filled with laughter and love about the joys of parenthood. Rebecca is also committed to helping women realize their work-from-home dreams, enjoying life beyond the cubicle, and find clarity in the work/life/family balance.

Connect with Franticmommy on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter.

Multicultural Children’s Book Day
Multicultural Children’s Book Day’s (MCCBD) mission is to not only raise awareness for the kid’s books that celebrate diversity, but to get more of these of books into classrooms and libraries.Children’s reading and play advocates Valarie Budayr from Jump Into a Book and Mia Wenjen from Pragmatic Mom have teamed up to create an ambitious (and much needed) national event. On January 27th, 2014 Jump into a Book and Pragmatic Mom presented the very first Multicultural Children’s Book Day as a way of celebrating diversity in children’s books. The results and support overwhelming as authors, publishers, parents, teachers, bloggers and librarians joined forces to offer up an online event designed to shine the spotlight on diversity in children’s literature.

Connect with Multicultural Children’s Book Day on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter.

The Educators Spin On It
Making everyday moments into teachable opportunities is the focus of The Educators’ Spin On It. The site was created by educators Kim Vij and Amanda Boyarshinov, certified educators and experienced teachers, currently stay at home moms, who have found blogging and Pinterest a key social media tool to share resources with parents.

Connect with The Educators Spin On it on Pinterest, Facebook, and YouTube.

What Do We Do All Day?
Here at What Do We Do All Day? we find creative ways to fill the days of our adventurous, lovely and crazy urban life. We blog about the books we read, food we eat, places we go and a few extra thoughts just to keep you on your toes.

Connect with What We Do All Day on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

Teach Mama

Amy Kilpatrick Mascott is the creator of teachmama.com, where since 2008, she has shared tools and resources parents can use to become the best teachers they can be for their children.

A Reading Specialist, writer, and literacy consultant, Amy’s work has been featured on dozens of online and print publications, including Scholastic Parents, PBS Parents, readwritethink.org, PBS Digital Studios, and more.

Amy is a former high school English teacher who has truly expanded the walls of classroom, sharing her expertise at local and national events and publishing her first book with Scholastic, Raising a Rock-Star Reader: 75 Quick Tips for Helping Your Child Develop a Lifelong Love for Reading in 2015.

Married to an elementary school principal, Amy resides in the DC Metro with her three crazy-cool kids (11, 10, and 8 years old), a dog, two birds, and one fish.

Connect with Teach Mama on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, YouTube, or Snapchat

KidLit TV
KidLit TV is a community of authors, illustrators, educators, and parents all working together to bring great books to kids. We hope to reinforce an appreciation of reading that children will carry with them for the rest of their lives. Click here for more.

Connect with KidLit TV:
Facebook | Pinterest | Twitter | YouTube | Instagram
Sign up for the newsletter too!

All Rafflecopter entrants must reside in the United States and be at least 13 years old.

fyi: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. This small percentage of money helps offset the costs of hosting this blog, which helps me keep this content free for you. Forever and always I recommend only products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” For more information, please see teachmama media, llc. disclosure policy.

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support for struggling readers: immersion reading

06 | 30 | 2016

What should I do–my child hates reading!!

Is there a ‘quick fix’ for my son, who struggles with reading?

My daughter tells me she can’t read. Now what? I think she can read–I just think she doesn’t like to read.

How should I react when the summer reading conversation causes stress, anger, or anxiety for my son?

What is better for my child–a regular book? an ebook? an audiobook?

Is there a tool available to make reading easier for my kids? More enjoyable?

Friends, there’s no easy answer to any of these questions or concerns, but I will tell you this: for many kids, reading is a struggle.

For many kids, reading is stressful.

For many kids, reading is difficult.

For many kids, reading is painful.

One of the things that people tend to ask me most when it comes to summer reading is how they can engage and support reluctant or struggling readers.

The reality is that often our reluctant readers are our struggling readers.

Not always, but often.

Often, these kids don’t want to read because it’s not easy for them. It’s work. It’s hard, and it’s not even a little bit enjoyable. The texts that they are able to decode are ‘babyish’, boring, or low-interest.

This year, I’m thrilled to be working with Audible to share news about a tool that is totally new to me—it’s called Immersion Reading. And it’s a tool that essentially immerses the reader in a story by narrating and highlighting the text as you read.

The awesome thing is that just in time for summer, Audible has deeply discounted almost 200 titles geared toward readers ages 6-12.

Here’s the skinny. . .

Support for Struggling Readers — Immersion Reading:

You may have heard of Audible. Audible, Inc. is all about spoken audio. Audio everything: entertainment, information, and educational programming, and all of it’s online. Audible sells digital audiobooks, radio and TV programs, and audio versions of magazines and newspapers.

So they’ve recently created ‘Immersion Reading‘.

Immersion Reading sounds super fancy, but it’s really not. Immersion Reading is simply narrating and highlighting the text as it’s read.

And though it’s a simple process, it has huge payoffs for our struggling–and emerging–readers.

Here’s how it works:

1. You buy a Kindle book.

Very simply, head to your Amazon account, and choose a book that interests you.

You don’t need a Kindle; you can download the Kindle app on your Android device, use the Fire HD 6 Tablet, Kindle Fire HDX, or Fire HDX 8.9.

2. Add the audio companion.

Right now the audio companion is deeply discounted. There are tons and tons of titles your kids will love for a few dollars. Check it out.

3. Then listen while you read along.

Thanks to“Whispersync for Voice” technology, you can read the book on your tablet, then listen to it on your smartphone and never lose your place. It’s perfect for keeping kids engaged in texts wherever you are!

Totally cool things you need to know:

The narration speed can be adjusted. Maybe go with the 0.75x speed for an emerging reader. Try the 1x speed for struggling readers. Stronger readers may lean towards 1.25x speed.
Kids love the Popular Highlights. Popular Highlights on any Kindle book show just that–popular passages, sections, or chapters that were highlighted by other readers.
The X-Ray is addicting. The X-Ray shows an in-depth look at where characters or terms were mentioned in the book.
Most books have super-cool bonus features. Reading Guide questions are super to use as a starting point for discussion about the text. Some books even contain Bonus Scenes which I love. Often books include a short ‘About the Author’ section at the end.

Here are my recommendations for middle readers. (And for a limited time, you can add narration for about $2.99 or less!)

Click on the image to grab the book and be sure to choose the Kindle format and then check the box to add Audible narration!

And if you’re okay spending a teeny bit more than $2.99 for narration, definitely check out these picks:

Click on the image to grab the book and be sure to choose the Kindle format and then check the box to add Audible narration!

Some all-time favorite books? Books that will get kids laughing for sure??

Click on the image to grab the book and be sure to choose the Kindle format and then check the box to add Audible narration!

Okay. I hit you with a lot here.

Real quick: Why is Immersion Reading such a big deal for struggling readers?

The combination of audio and visual hits multiple modes of learning. Not only are kids able to hear how the words on the page should be read, but they are also able to see the words highlighted at the same time.
Kids get a chance to hear how fluent reading should sound.
Kids aren’t put on the spot, trying to decode the words themselves. It’s a no-stress situation!
It’s a great way to help put the pleasure back into reading so kids can enjoy the story without anxiety.

So check out some of the stories that ‘come to life’ and let me know what you think!

fyi: This post was written as a partnership between Audible and teach mama media, llc. As always, my opinions are all my own, influenced only by my experience as a parent and educator and by my 3 little readers.

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Audible. The opinions and text are all mine.

fyi: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Forever and always I recommend only products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” For more information, please see teachmama media, llc. disclosure policy.

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best books for family read-alouds

06 | 15 | 2016

Oh, friends.

So many of you have asked for book lists that I’m going to make it a summer of book lists for you.

Brace yourselves.

One each week.

For the most part, I’ll keep them short and sweet– ten books max– because I know we’re all busy, and I know that’s sometimes all we can handle.

But the coolest part? I’ll have my kids helping.

That’s right.

Maddy, who’s 12, Owen, who is 10 now but who will be 11 by the end of the summer, and Cora, who is 9, will be helping me to curate lists. Straight from their nightstands to this lil ole blog.

Of course, I’ll weigh in as well with my two cents’ worth. Because I’m doing what I can to keep up with their reading as well.

So you’ll get a bit from the tweens, and you’ll get a bit from an educator mama.

Here we go!

Best Books for Family Read-Alouds:

Reading as a family is hard. I get it.

We’re all doing different things, and especially as the kids get older, it’s tough to find books that everyone is interested in on top of a time that works for everyone.

Listen, friends.

I’ll give you the books the kids will like. You find the time that works.

These books are some of our favorites. I am betting that soon they’ll be yours, too.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, by Roald Dahl
Follow Charlie’s adventures through the chocolate factory after he finds the last golden ticket!

Hoot, by Carl Hiassen
Readers will learn to look for the silver lining after seeing how Roy’s experience with a school bully allows him to have the adventure of a lifetime.

Wonder, by R. J. Palacio
August Pullman is not your ordinary 5th grader; in fact, he’s nothing short of extraordinary. This book is one that every, single child should read.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, by J.K. Rowling
Harry is an underdog from the beginning. Readers will love to watch his confidence grow as he learns how to navigate life inside–and outside–the walls of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, by Kate DiCamillo
One of the most beautiful tales about appreciating the journey instead of the destination, Edward Tulane’s adventures will be unforgettable for young readers.

Grab all of the books here: (click on a book and get it this week with your Amazon Prime!)
Try Amazon Prime 30-Day Free Trial

And you want to take the read-alouds even a bit further?

You can.

Here’s how you can take your family read-aloud a bit further:

Grab Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory movie and do a post-read comparison!
Go for the four-book set by Carl Hiassen and do a mini-author study!
Have your kids keep a Wonder journal this summer to really help them appreciate what they have!
Read the gorgeous illustrated Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone — you will absolutely love it.
Have a Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone movie viewing party after you finish the book. Discuss what was done well and what you wish was different.
Listen to an audio book of The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane on your own family’s journey to summer vacation!

Cheers, and happy reading during this incredibly exciting journey!

think aloud while reading — here’s how! reading tip 9 #raiseareader

04 | 04 | 2016

Thinking aloud sounds a little crazy, doesn’t it?

Like the only people who would even think about thinking aloud might be a little ‘off’ or something?

Well, friends, here’s the thing: thinking aloud is actually something you want to do because it can help your kids become better readers.

Check it out:

Like this video? Check out the whole #RaiseAReader playlist and definitely subscribe to our channel!Need — or want more?

Here you go: (click on the image to find the post!)

What burning questions do you have about reading or literacy? I’d love to hear them so that I can (hopefully!) address the topic during one of the videos.

Just leave it below, and I’ll do what I can to cover it. Looking forward to this!

Follow along wherever works best for you, my friends, with the hashtag #RaiseAReader —

follow daily on YouTube;
follow daily on Snapchat;
follow daily on Facebook;
follow daily on Twitter;
follow daily on Instagram.

Cheers, and happy reading during this incredibly exciting journey!

Want a few more early literacy or alphabet activities? Check out:

backyard alphabet hunt
homemade alphabet book
leafy letter learning
ABC hunt
on the road ABC hunt
lowercase ABC hunt
build your own bingo: uppercase and lowercase match
ABC cards and clothespin match
alphabet letter splash
alphabingo (play with lowercase letters)
alphabet letter lids
leafy outdoor alphabet hunt
build your own board game
clothespin letter match
10 fun ways to learn the alphabet

Follow us on pinterest, and check out our literacy pins:

Follow amy mascott @teachmama’s board literacy on Pinterest.

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why book walks rock for big-kid read-alouds

03 | 16 | 2016

It is so hard to find time to sit down and read with your kids every, single night.

Especially as they get older.

When kids get older, sports and activities run later; evening meetings seem to run longer. And whereas life once seemed to slow down at 7 pm, now? It just isn’t so.

It’s quite the opposite, actually.

Some nights, I try desperately to rub the tired out of my eyes after dinner, and I look at the clock and wonder how on earth I am going to stay awake until 9 or 9:30pm, when my kids finally get their tails in bed.

I know I’m not alone.

Add when you’re trying to plow through a chapter book with your kid, each and every night, and things get complicated.

But that’s why Book Walks really and truly rock for big-kid read-alouds: Book Walks give you a quick and easy way to catch up without losing too much.

Here’s the skinny. . .

Why Book Walks Rock for Big-Kid Read-Alouds:

First of all, Book Walks are kind of a fancy name for something really simple.

Book Walks simply reference a ‘walk’ through the pages of a book.

You can go on a Book Walk as a pre-reading technique to get kids familiar with a text.

You can go on a Book Walk after reading as a technique to practice a little guided summarizing.

You can go on a Book Walk to catch yourself up on what happened in a text if you can’t remember.

A million different reasons exist for Book Walks, but what I love using them for is for a catch-up:

the catch-up on a few pages or chapters that I may have missed in the event that our busy, unpredictable schedule didn’t allow us to read together one night;
the catch-up of a big chunk of the book if I want to jump into a book that my child has already started;
the catch-up of the end of the book if my impatient child read ahead.

You can Book Walk for just about any reason, but the bottom line is that I think they really, truly are the key to reading aloud with your bigger kid.

Because let’s face it, friends, our days often take quite a different shape by the end of the week.

This week in particular, Cora and I needed to use a Book Walk to catch me up with the Thea Stilton book we were reading. We started the book on Sunday night, then I was away on Monday, so she read ahead.

And I never, ever mind if my kids read ahead; in fact, I want them to!

Especially when it comes to a book that is at their level–one that they need little to no support to get through–then I tell them to read ahead. If they then catch me up via a Book Walk or re-read with me, it’s all good.

Cheers, and happy reading during this incredibly exciting journey!

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reading tip 4: read to BIG kids #raiseareader

03 | 07 | 2016

Did you know that the majority of kids ages 6-11 years old who participated in the Scholastic Kids and Family Reading Report said that their parents no longer read to them–but they wished their parents did?

Right.

So friends–even our bigger kids want us to read to them. And why not?

Today’s reading tip 4: read to your big kids!

I’m all about reading tips this month–sharing quick and easy tips that every parent can use no matter what! And so many people have asked questions, shared ideas, and have let me know that the tips are helpful.

So please–let me know what you think!

Check it out:

What burning questions do you have about reading or literacy? I’d love to hear them so that I can (hopefully!) address the topic during one of the videos.

Just leave it below, and I’ll do what I can to cover it. Looking forward to this!

Follow along wherever works best for you, my friends, with the hashtag #RaiseAReader —

follow daily on YouTube;
follow daily on Snapchat;
follow daily on Facebook;
follow daily on Twitter;
follow daily on Instagram;
follow each Monday at noon ET on Periscope.

Cheers, and happy reading during this incredibly exciting journey!

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how to support your child through difficult texts

03 | 04 | 2016

Okay, so you’re all into reading aloud with your kids, right?

You’ve got a great bunch of books to read, but your child insists on reading one that’s a notch (or two or three!) above her reading level?

It happens more often than not, so don’t be alarmed.

If your child’s friends are all reading Harry Potter and she’s still at the Cam Jansen or Amelia Bedilia stage? She’s going to want to read what her buddies are reading.

And that’s okay. There’s nothing wrong with striving high and reaching far.

But it means that she’ll need a bit more support than she wants to admit.

So if your child wants to work through a difficult text, you need to establish some SOSS rules.

SOSS stands for:

State the facts
offer an Opt out
create a Signal
Shake on it

You need to be clear about the reading situation so that the child doesn’t reach a frustration level early on; or, if she does become frustrated, you need a plan.

Because friends, most likely at some point she’ll be frustrated through the text if it’s not at her working, instructional level.

Here’s the thing to always, always remember: reading aloud, at home with parents, should be easy and fun. It should be low-stress and enjoyable. Bottom line.

Reading. Should. Be. Fun.

There are some ways to work through a difficult text together if you, as the parent, aren’t going to do the reading yourself—if your child wants to do the reading.

Here’s the skinny. . .

How To Support Your Child Through Difficult Texts

1. state the facts

Say, Okay, this is a little more difficult text than we’re used to, so that means a few things: 1. It means we’re going to run into words we don’t know how to pronounce or words we don’t know. 2. It also means that we may run into ideas we don’t understand.

2. offer an opt out

Say something along these lines:

Knowing that this is a tougher text, you now have a choice: do you want to find a new book, one that’s less challenging, or do you want to work together through this one? You decide.

3. make a signal

If the decision is to drop the book and find another, find another best fit book.

If the decision is to stick with it, say something like:

Cool. We’re sticking with this book, so we need an SOS signal to use whenever we hit a word we don’t know how to pronounce or know the meaning. The SOS signal can be a snap, a clap, a raised arm, a whistle, a hoot, a holler, a whisper, a ‘Help!’, a shimmy shake—anything.

It just has to be easy to do, and you have to be comfortable doing it whenever you need a hand.

Once the signal is decided upon, make sure that the signal is used and that you follow up with: Do you want the word or want me to take over the reading? Either way works for me!

4. shake or slap on it

Like any big business transaction, to seal the deal, you need to shake on it.

But in this case, you can slap five, too. Either way works.

Just make it clear that everyone understands how to proceed. That way, there will be no hard feelings, no upset, and (hopefully) no frustration.

Friends, it’s just about letting kids know that as parents, we’re here to help them. And that it’s okay to ask for help.

And that we’re not judging them or grading them while they read—we’re supporting them.

Cheers, and happy reading during this incredibly exciting journey!

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reading aloud with older kids: what parents need to know

02 | 29 | 2016

Over the years, I’ve talked a lot about reading, but recently, as I looked back, I realized I haven’t shared too much about reading with older kids.

There are definitely some things parents need to know when it comes to reading aloud with bigger kids.

And since my kids are now 12, 10, and almost 9 years old (gasp!), I thought I’d share.

Did you know that the Scholastic Kids & Family Reading Report shared that 40% of kids ages 6-11 years old said that their parents no longer read aloud to them –but that they wished their parents still did?

I found that figure interesting.

Even though our kids are getting older, it doesn’t mean they don’t want their parents to read to them. I love it.

So friends, let’s do it.

I know it’s hard, though, right? We’re so busy now that our kids are older. We’re schlepping them from activity to activity, doing homework and projects, trying to manage a household and a job ourselves. When can we possibly fit in reading aloud to our older kids?

We can do it. I know we can. We can find time.

Here’s the skinny. . .

Reading Aloud to Bigger Kids — What Parents Need to Know:

We can find time because it’s that important—and our kids—and we—will benefit from it.

But before you get all excited and find your kid and grab any ole book, I thought I’d share a few things you should know.

1. Kids like funny books.

They really do. And why wouldn’t they?

They’re kids—and they’re silly.

The Scholastic Kids & Family Reading Report found that more than 91% of kids ages 6-17 say that their favorite books are the one they pick out themselves and the number one thing kids say want when reading for fun is a “book that makes me laugh.” Above all, kids want funny books; this was the top response of all kids at 70%.

So laugh together we will, right?

Here are a few of our favorite funny books that would work great for read alouds with bigger kids:

Mr. Popper’s Penguins, by Richard Atwater and Florence Atwater
Flora & Ulysses, by Kate DiCamillo
The Strange Case of Origami Yoda, by Tom Angleberger
Big Nate, by Lincoln Peirce
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, by J.K. Rowling

2. Kids want to know what you think.

They really do. So share what you think while you’re reading by doing just that—thinking aloud.

Thinking aloud sounds fancy, but it’s really not. You simply read a bit, pause, and then share what you’re thinking.

You could comment about characters, settings, or actions. You could make connections, ask yourself questions, or make predictions. You could be serious, snarky, or silly.

Do whatever you’d normally do. Just share what you’re thinking.

You may find that your child comments back. You may find that your child just gives you the side eye. You may find that your child ignores you.

But the important thing is that your child will hear you interacting with the text. Your child will begin to understand and recognize (if he or she doesn’t know this already) that reading is an active process where the reader, text, and context all work together to make meaning.

And eventually if your child starts commenting back—agreeing or disagreeing with you—or adding his or her own thoughts, awesome!

3. Kids like consistency.

Whether you sneak in a few minutes of reading time before school or after school, after dinner or before bed, it doesn’t matter. Just find a time that works for you.

And stick with it.

I’ll be honest: this is where I am a huge failure. I start something and then life gets in the way, and I drop the ball. We’ll read for four days and then an activity will come up, the weekend will follow, and then we totally fall off-track.

But I do know that we’re working on it.

And I also know that it’s okay.

And I also know that even if we drop the ball for a few days, getting back into the book and talking through where we left off is okay. It’s a helpful life skill, too, to think back, look at the text, and reacquaint ourselves with story. Right? Right.

Have something else to add? I’d love to hear it!

Please follow along with our daily reading tips:

Seriously, we’re that excited about having everyone #RaiseAReader, we’re shouting it from a mountaintop. If we can do it, you can do it, too!

That’s it, friends.

fyi: About The Kids & Family Reading Report — it’s a biannual report from Scholastic and managed by YouGov. Results are from a nationally representative survey with a total sample size of 2,558 parents and children including 506 parents of children age 0–5, 1,026 parents of children age 6–17, plus one child age 6–17 from the same household. The survey was conducted during August and September, 2014. For the full methodology, see www.scholastic.com/readingreport.

Cheers, and happy reading during this incredibly exciting journey!

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new book series for tweens: 5 reasons to love Disney’s Star Darlings

01 | 26 | 2016

New book series for tweens? Yes.

Worth your time? Yes.

Your tween–girls, especially–will really like it? You bet.

It’s the Star Darlings series.

Maddy, Cora, and I are giving a big, star shout-out to this new fantasy series for a bunch of reasons.

And the awesome thing is that one lucky teachmama.com reader will be able to score the first five Star Darling books and A Wisher’s Guide to Starland to share with his or her startastic star darlings as well.

Here’s the skinny. . .

New Book Series for Tweens — 5 Reasons to Love Disney’s ‘Star Darlings‘:

If your kids are at all Disney fans, they’ve seen a lot of Star Darlings over the past few months; Disney has been sneaking in some Star Darling videos and shorts, some commercials and a bunch of book promo between episodes of Jesse, Austin & Allie, and Dog With a Blog.

What you need to know about ‘Star Darlings‘

Disney’s Star Darlings series is written by Ahmet Zappa and Shana Muldoon Zappa and is geared toward middle grade students, ages 8-12 years old.

The whole Star Darlings series focuses on a group of twelve girls from Starland who have been chosen to go to Wishworld (Earth) and grant wishes to Wishlings (Earthlings) in order to save Starland from their terrible crisis.

Each of the twelve chapter books take you on a Star Darling’s first magical wish mission on Wishworld, where she discovers the power of wishes, learns a lesson about herself, and helps collect the positive energy that Starland desperately needs to survive.

Each of the Star Darlings is a unique and special individual with her own strengths and weaknesses. One of the things Cora likes best is that ‘the girls aren’t perfect. They each have things they’re working on–like us.’

Essentially, the Star Darlings series is all about making positive choices and learning that you make things possible.

There’s a lot of listening to your inner voice (which I think is a super-important skill for kids) and trusting your instincts (also a great skill for kids).

There’s a lot of leaning on your friends and networking.

There’s a lot of learning to deal with challenges and celebrating successes.

Here are 5 reasons to love this new series:

1. The characters are unique and kids really connect with them.

Sage, Libby, Adora Astra, Cassie, Clover, Gemma, Leona, Piper, Scarlet, Tessa, and Vega are the main characters among a sea of cool teachers, family members, and classmates at Starling Academy.

Each character has a distinct color, hobby, and style. Each Star Darling was given her own Wish Pendant, Wish Blossom, and Power Crystal–things that my girls have taken to memorizing and sharing.

It seems as though when series have characters distinct and memorable like this, readers really tend to remember them.

Though among the great characters–the Star Darlings–there are also some tough ones. There’s Vivica who is coined ‘the mean girl’ from the outset–something that I don’t particularly love but which is often the case in literature for younger audiences.

It’s a great discussion point for parents, though. Consider chatting about:

What do we mean when we say, ‘don’t judge a book by its cover’?
When is it an acceptable time to group people according to the way they look, act, or sound?
Why are people sometimes put in ‘groups’ according to with whom they most spend time?
Are people all ‘good’ or all ‘bad’? Or do they fall in between?
How would you feel if you were called ‘the good girl’ or ‘the quiet girl’ or ‘the sporty girl’? What happens to people when we label them this way?
Are there ‘labels’ for kids at your school? Explain.

2.It’s a very visual story–which helps readers understand better.

Reading these books aloud together has been so much fun because it is so incredibly visual. You can really just close your eyes and imagine every, single thing down to the very last shimmer and sparkle.

Visualizing is one of the keys to reading comprehension. Visualization involves creating a ‘movie in your mind’ as you read–being able to ‘see’ what you’re reading. Any time we can mention this to our kids, to remind them to take a minute to visualize what they’re reading, the better.

When you can see the characters, setting, and concepts unfolding, you can better understand them. Talk about what you see, hear, smell, and feel as you read, and if your kids have a difficult time doing so, The Wisher’s Guide or the video shorts may help!

3. A Wisher’s Guide to Starland brings the series together.

Kind of like the Star Darlings’ Student Manual, A Wisher’s Guide covers everything you need to know about the entire series.

It makes the whole series seem ‘official’, like readers are actually becoming part of a special club when they read it and become acquainted with the information.

Six sections that cover Star Darlings, Wish Energy, Starland, Starling Academy, Faculty and Students, and Wishworld, the guide is cover to cover beautiful illustrations and images that tweens will love.

A great way to build schema–or give folks new to this series some background information–this guide gave Cora many ‘aha!’ moments as we read the books. I know who they’re talking about here! she’d say as a character was introduced.

Or, Mom! I have a feeling that I know who this teacher is!

Or Do you want me to tell you what I know about this person? I remember reading about her in the Wisher’s Guide!

It’s a confidence-builder. A little introduction before the party starts. I highly recommend it.

4. It’s fun to fall into everything Starland.

The language of the Star Darlings is startastic. It’s startacular, in fact. There’s a starmendous amount of ‘starspeak’ which, after book number two or three, becomes contagious.

You’ll all start talking about yourselves as Wishlings and will reach for your Star Pendant instead of your keys or your holobook instead of your phone.

You’ll begin to look at things in floozels instead of miles, and you’ll try to order green globules, gloranges, garble greens, starcakes, or moonberries at restaurants.

You’ll look for glowfurs and flutterfocuses in your backyard and will dream about riding a galliope across the Star Quad.

The cool thing is that each book has a Glossary in the back, so it’s yet another way to reinforce to our young readers the importance of looking for clarification. Not sure of a word? First, try to figure it out by context clues. Still need help? Look in the glossary!

5. The music, the app, the videos, the shorts, and the shows are a fabulous way to continue the Star Darling love.

Friends, there’s a lot of Star Darlings right now, and though it may seem to get old to us, our tweens love it.

There is an app (watch for in-app purchases!) that I think is a great complement to this series. I actually did buy the whole thing for Cora–I think it was maybe $6–because having access to the whole thing allowed her access to more reading.

The app includes some Choose-Your-Own-Adventure type stories and fashion and wardrobe options for the characters.

There are Star Darling videos. And shorts. And (rather catchy) songs. And merchandise.

————————————————————-

GIVEAWAY:

A Disney’s Star Darlings prize pack that includes the first FIVE books–Sage and the Journey to Wishworld, Libby and the Class Election, Leona’s Unlucky Mission, Vega and the Fashion Disaster, Scarlett Discovers True Strength, and A Wisher’s Guide to Starland!

Do you want to win a Disney’s Star Darlings prize pack that includes the first FIVE books–Sage and the Journey to Wishworld, Libby and the Class Election, Leona’s Unlucky Mission, Vega and the Fashion Disaster, Scarlett Discovers True Strength, and A Wisher’s Guide to Starland!? ??! Yes, yes you do.

——————————-

Please use the Rafflecopter widget below to throw your name in the hat:

a Rafflecopter giveaway
By entering this giveaway, you are demonstrating your understanding of and compliance with the Official Sweepstakes Rules.

This giveaway ends Friday, February 12, 2016 at midnight ET and is open to folks here in the US only. Winner will be chosen by ‘Rafflecopter’ and will be notified on or around 02/12/16. Winner must respond within three (3) days of notification or forfeit the prize, in which case an alternate winner will be selected. All Official Sweepstakes Rules apply.

______________

fyi: This post was written as part of a partnership with Disney Publishing and Star Darlings, but as always, my opinions are all my own, influenced only by my personal experience as a parent and educator–and, of course, my three little readers.

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best books as gifts for everyone on your list

11 | 23 | 2015

Books are all over our home, all of the time.

Tons of books–books from book fairs, from yard sales, from the library, from school, from friends, from publishers–you name it.

We are a book-loving family through and through, and for that I am grateful.

So which books out of the sea of millions, should you pick up for your kids this year? We’ve got them right here. And if you need more ideas, definitely look at our Best Books as Gifts post from last year. They’re both perfectly usable. Books don’t go out of style.

And really, I’m often about a year (or five) or so behind on books, so there’s that.

Anyway, here is our biggie–the list for which I am particularly proud this year, since (eeeeeeee!) my book (yay!!), of course (yippppeeeee!), has made the cut (I still can’t believe I wrote a book!!).

Here’s the skinny. . .

Best Books as Gifts:

If you need something slightly younger, check out our Preschool Gift Guide or even our Toddler Gift Guide, and if you need something a little older, check out our Elementary School Gift Guide or our Middle School Gift Guide. Phew. We’ve been busy.

Click on the image or click on the link; they’ll both take you where you can quickly grab the product, and we even found a few great deals for you.

Many of the links are affiliate links, meaning if you purchase the item, teachmama.com gets a teeny, tiny percentage of the sale which helps us keep this website and all of its resources free for everyone. Yay!

Best Books as Gifts for the Littler Guys

My Pen, by Christopher Myers — How I love this book! Christopher Myers’ black and white illustrations and share what his pen does, where it takes him, and what worlds it can open. The big message? ‘So if you have a pen, see what you can do–Let those worlds inside your pen out!’

Chengdu Could Not, Would Not Fall Asleep, by Barney Saltzberg — My kids often have a tough time falling a sleep, so this book made us all smile. Little Chengdu’s wide eyes at night, when they should be shut, remind our difficult-sleepers that sometimes sleep is hard for everyone to find.

Waiting, by Kevin Henkes — A new book by our beloved author, Waiting is different–it’s subtle, it’s simple, and it will certainly leave even our youngest readers thinking.

***

Little Tree, by Loren Long — I totally heart Loren Long, so I knew when I picked this book up, I’d love it immediately–and I did. It’s a sweet story about learning to let go. Everyone needs this book.

National Geographic Little Kids First Big Book of Who, by Jill Esbaum — Every, single person that everyone should know is covered in this book. Well, almost. In typical National Geographic Kids’ publication style, bright colors, varied fonts, and eye-catching graphics will help kids appreciate and love this text.

I Am Yoga, by Susan Verde and illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds — As a woman who needs yoga to maintain her sanity on a day to day basis, I love this book because it’s a great way to show children the powerful benefits of yoga pracitce.

***

National Geographic Kids WHY?: Over 1,111 Answers to Everything, by Crispin Boyer — My kids–and most kids I know–can get lost in a book like this for hours and hours and hours. Tons of fun facts. Tons of answers to questions they have. And fab photos for everything.

A Friend for Lakota: The Incredible True Story of a Wolf Who Braved Bullying, by Jim and Jamie Dutcher — Similar to the style of Sams and Stoick, A Friend for Lakota uses natural photos of animals to tell a real story that will definitely resonate with children.

One Busy Day: A Story for Brothers and Sisters, by Lola M. Schaefer and illustrated by Jessica Meserve — A little sister just wants to play with her big brother.

***

Manners Mash-Up: A Goofy Guide to Good Behavior, by tons of famous illustrators, like Tedd Arnold, Adam Rex, Judy Schachner and Bob Shea — Kids will love this mash-up of manner posters, each created for a different location by a different talented artist.

The Iridescence of Birds: A Book about Henri Matisse, by Patricia MacLachlan and illustrated by Hadley Hooper — I have had my eye on this book for a long time now because the illustrations are beautiful, and it gives us a tiny glimpse into the life of one of our masters. Kids will enjoy this one.

Once Upon a Cool Motorcycle Dude, by Kevin O’Malley and illustrated by Carol Heyer and Scott Goto — A girl and boy struggle to collaborate when telling a story, so readers get a little bit of princess and a little bit of motorcycle dude.

***

Best Books as Gifts for the Bigger Guys

Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard: Book One, The Sword of Summer, by Rick Riordan –This is the newest series by Rick Riordan, and it. Is. Awesome. Unlike the Percy Jackson series (also awesome) which deals with Greek gods and goddesses, Magnus Chase focuses on Norse mythology. Bring on the Vikings!

A Treasury of Norse Mythology, by Donna Jo Napoli and illustrated by Christina Balit — A perfect companion to the Magnus Chase series, this extraordinary book will keep kids reading–and learning–along with a series they love! Read it and also check our our Norse Mythology 101 post.

Percy Jackson and the Olympians Book Set, by Rick Riordan — My kids went nuts for Percy Jackson this summer. I mean nuts. Owen and Maddy zipped through the series in no time flat–the books are that good. Percy is a likable, easy to love character, and young readers especially connect with his school challenges and honest. Check out our 10 Cool Ways to Read the Percy Jackson series post.

***

Percy Jackson’s Greek Heroes, by Rick Riordan and illustrated by John Rocco — My kids were obsessed with this series this past summer, and Owen and Maddy literally devoured anything and everything I put in front of them that had to do with Greek Gods or Greek Heroes. The Greek Heroes is the newer book, but Greek Gods is equally as good. My hope is that when our kids hit The Iliad and The Odyssey in high school and their classics units, they’ll rock it.

The Diary of a Wimpy Kid Book 10–Old School, by Jeff Kinney — The latest and greatest from everyone’s favorite–Jeff Kinney. Our book fair delivered like four boxes of this book, and nearly every one of them was sold.

Shark Whisperer and Shark Rider, by Ellen Prager — These two are part of the Tristan Hunt and the Sea Guardians series, and Maddy loved them. She said they were kind of like an underwater Harry Potter.

***

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone: The Illustrated Edition, by J.K. Rowling and illustrated by Jim Kay — I cannot wait to get my hands on this book. What I have seen is amazing. What I have read about it say

Wonder, by R. J. Palacio — Seriously the best book I’ve read in ages, I believe that every child should read this. Perfect for a nighttime read aloud.

365 Days of Wonder: Mr. Browne’s Book of Precepts, by R. J. Palacio — A little bit of Wonder every single day. Yes, please.

***

Out of My Mind, by Sharon M. Draper — A beautiful and heart-wrenching story about a young girl whose physical disabilities cause her tremendous challenges. And she can’t speak. But her mind is sharp, which makes it all harder to take. Another one that all kids should read.

A Long Walk to Water, by Linda Sue Park — Two different people telling a similar story about the difficulties of life in Sudan, this is based on a true story. Maddy loved, loved, loved this, and I cannot wait to read it.

I am Malala: How One Girl Stood Up for Education And Changed The World (Young Readers Edition), by Malala Yousafzai — We shared our love for Malala and her awesomeness earlier this fall, so I highly recommend that this book finds its way to every, single home. Kids need to read this.

Best Books as Gifts for Families

Raising a Rock-Star Reader: 75 Quick Tips for Helping Your Child Develop a Lifelong Love of Reading, by Allison McDonald and me (yay!) — This is the book for anyone who cares for kids. It’s jam-packed with 75 quick tips that parents can do today to help their children develop a love of reading. For real. I teamed up with Allison McDonald to share every awesome tip you need to raise readers. You’ll love it. The feedback has been awesome, and I couldn’t be more thrilled. We’re #1 on Amazon’s Hot New Releases for Reading and Teaching Materials. For real. Free resources to use alongside the book. Written in everyday language that everyone can understand. Nothing too stressful–kind of like you and your bff chatting over coffee about cool things to do with your kids.

Humans of New York: Stories, by Brandon Stanton — It’s no secret that I’m a little bit of a Brandon Stanton fan; every time we’re in New York City, I have all three of my kids scan the streets for him. I love Humans of New York (HONY) and follow the accounts on just about every social platform. What I love most about HONY is the stories. I love the look inside total strangers’ lives–the sharing of big and little moments of their life; I truly believe that it makes this big, wide world that much smaller, knowing that we all share similar struggles. Is this for every ‘big kid’? I would use your judgement for sure. Much of the content can be heavy–but I do think it sparks meaningful conversation between kids and parents.

The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing, by Marie Kondo — I cannot wait to share the love I feel for this book (let me get through the holidays first!), but until then, just get it. It really is life-changing.

***

Coloring Crush, by Klutz — Coloring in the coolest new way. Beautiful designs. Relaxing. New.

Harry Potter Creatures Coloring Book or Harry Potter Coloring Book, or even Harry Potter Magical Places and Characters, by Scholastic — Really? How could you go wrong with this?

Enchanted Forest: An Inky Quest and Coloring Book, by Johanna Bastford — A bit of a game alongside coloring, and I think my kids will really like this. Cannot wait to see their faces when they open these beautiful books!

***

Nature Poetry: More than 200 Poems With Photographs that Float, Zoom, and BOOM!, by J Patrick Lewis — Poetry alongside photos? National Geographic style? I’m all for introducing your kids to different genres, and often poetry gets a backseat. Not with this book.

National Geographic Kids Guide to Photography: Tips and Tricks on How to Be a Great Photographer From the Pros and Your Pals at My SHOT, by Nancy Honovich and Annie Griffiths — With mobile devices at every child’s fingertips, everyone’s a photographer. This book is a quick and easy read, and kids can open the book to any page and grab a tip they can use that very day. Super-cool book for every digital kid.

The Global Education Toolkit for Elementary Learners, by Homa Sabet Tavanger and Becky Morales — Everything a parent or teacher needs to know about teaching their children about global education. What’s ‘global education’ you ask? Teaching children about inclusion, tolerance, cooperation, appreciation, and really, how to change the world. Love this. Looooove this.

***

The Fringe Hours: Making Time for You, by Jessica Turner — I’ve shared my Fringe Hours love this year, and so if you don’t yet have this book, it’s time to treat yourself. For moms, sisters, aunts, cousins, friends, neighbors. We all need this.

The Curious Kid’s Science Book: 100+ Creative, Hands-On Activities for Ages 4-8, by Asia Citro — Tons of really cool, manageable, and well planned science activities, from one of the most creative women I know. This is worth picking up, friends, out of all the science-y books out there. Great ideas for preschoolers, for weekends with elementary schoolers, or for playdates.

The One and Only Ivan, by Katherine Applegate — I cannot even begin to express what a beautiful book this is. It’s sad, yes. It’s very sad. But also? It’s happy. Every child should read it.