Thursday, May 31, 2012

Unlucky Arithmetic: Thirteen Ways to Raise a Nonreader

by Dean Schneider and Robin Smith

1. NEVER READ where your children can see you.
2. PUT A TV OR COMPUTER in every room.  Don't neglect the bedrooms and kitchen.
3. CORRECT YOUR CHILD every time she mispronounces a word.
4. SCHEDULE ACTIVITIES every day after school so your child will never be bored.
5. Once your child can read independently, THROW OUT THE PICTURE BOOKS.  They're for babies.
6. DON'T PLAY board games together.  Too dull.
7. Give little REWARDS for reading.  Stickers and plastic toys are nice.  Money is even better.
8. Don't expect your children to enjoy reading.  Kids' books are for TEACHING vocabulary, proper study habits, and good MORALS.
9. Buy only 40-WATT BULBS for your lamps.
10. Under NO circumstances read your child the same book OVER AND OVER.  She heard it once, she should remember it.
11. Never allow your child to listen to BOOKS ON TAPE; that is CHEATING.
12. Make sure your kids only read books that are "challenging."  EASY books are a complete WASTE OF TIME.  That goes double for comic books.
13. Absolutely, positively NO READING IN BED!

I saw this poster displayed in a library.  It serves as a true reminder of our mission to "grow readers". For a pdf poster of this great "tongue in cheek" advice, click here.  Read this advice every day this summer and encourage your child to read!

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Summer Reading

Be A Smart Cookie!  Read, read, read this summer!  Connect with books this summer through ebooks on an IPad or a Kindle, visit the public library and the bookstore, listen to books-on-tape while riding in the car, or promote family involvement and read books together.  There are many free resources to help you keep on reading task this summer.  Mrs. Webber and I have constructed a long list of reading sites with links, ideas about reading activities, and author sites to enjoy. 

Click on the summer reading tab at the top of this blogspot
 and read about summer reading.

Oh, and by the way, DO NOT READ FOR A.R. THIS SUMMER!  Read about it on the summer reading page.

Follow this blog by submitting your email address, and you may win a summer reading PRIZE!  Last summer, I gave away 4 gift certificates to Barnes and Noble.  This summer I will be giving away MORE prizes so follow the blog!

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Nubs: The True Story of a Mutt, a Marine and a Miracle

Today the first graders heard the story of Nubs: The True Story of a Mutt, a Marine and a Miracle. by Brian Dennis, Kirby Larson and Mary Nethery.  To learn more about their incredible story, click the link below to see Nubs and Brian as guests on the Today Show.