Guest Post by: Dawn Little
Links to Literacy
It has been said that the most critical years of a child’s life is the first five. This is the time when one does the most growing; physically, mentally, and emotionally. If you think about it, the foundation is set in these first five years. And parents are the child’s first teacher. It’s a daunting task, but with a few simple tips, I believe parents are up to it! What kind of reader do you want your child to grow up to be? Here are five ways to raise a reader:
Dawn Little (@linkstoliteracy on Twitter) blogs at www.teachingwithpicturebooks.wordpress.com where she provides educators with picture book lessons based on comprehension strategies and the Six Traits of Writing. In addition, she blogs at www.literacytoolbox.wordpress.com where she provides educators and parents with tips and tools to enhance the literacy lives of children. She is the founder and owner of Links to Literacy, a company dedicated to providing interactive literacy experiences for parents and educators. Find out more at www.linkstoliteracy.com
It’s that time of year when many of us are starting to plan our summer vacations. Families with children need to make special preparations to be sure everyone has a stress-free fun-filled time. Here are a few tips for a successful journey.
1. If your child has a favorite comfort toy (stuffed animal, blanket, etc.), pack it. Even if it takes up precious room when packing, the entire family will get a better night’s sleep if your little one feels more secure in a new environment. 2. Let your kids take their own mini-suitcase or backpack with essentials (toys, games, books) which will occupy them when you have down time. 3. If you’re flying or traveling by train be considerate of other passengers. Most people aren’t able to block out the sound of video games being played, so bring headphones so that your child can play quietly. 4. Expect your child to behave appropriately when using public transportation. When possible, try to schedule flights during a baby or toddler’s nap time. Your fellow passengers will silently thank you. 5. Check out public parks and playgrounds in the area you are traveling to before you go. Allow for plenty of down time for the kids where they can play and explore.
Touch Blue Author: Cynthia Lord Book review written by StorySnoops.com Touch Blue is a story about an eleven-year old girl named Tess who lives with her family on a tiny island off the coast of Maine. When’s Tess’s best friend moves away, her school no longer has enough students to stay open, and the government threatens to shut it down. To solve this problem, her community comes up with a plan. They increase the number of students on the island by having a few families take in foster children — Tess’s family included. Tess is thrilled that she is going to have a new thirteen-year-old brother, and can hardly wait to meet Aaron. But when Aaron arrives, it is not as easy as she had imagined. He never wants to play with Tess and has a giant attitude problem. The only thing he cares about is his music – and secretly getting back in touch with his “real” mom. Will Aaron ever come to accept Tess, her family, and small town island life as much as Tess wants him to? Or will he leave the island to find his real mom?
Written by an award-winning author, Touch Blue is a short book with a lot of depth, without being boring or hard to read. Tess is a superstitious girl and each chapter opens with a different superstition (Chapter One – ”Touch Blue and your wish will come true”). This book is beautifully written and descriptive, with messages about the meaning of family, and the importance of kindness and community. It’s a great choice for a classroom read aloud or a middle grade book report.
Happy reading!
-The StorySnoops
For more reviews and recommendations by StorySnoops, visit the StorySnoops website at http://www.storysnoops.com