Disclosure: Blue Orange Games sent me a complimentary copy of this game. All opinions are my own. Does your family enjoy puzzles? How about games? If so, keep reading because Blue Orange Games combines the two in their new game, Brain Connect. It's the perfect fit for my own kids -- competitive puzzle playing! You have to think fast and use fine motor skills to solve this sliding puzzle … [Read more...]
6 New Beginning Chapter Books with Female Main Characters, Fall 2018
I'm excited to tell you about these new beginning chapter books including a new STEM series about Rosie Revere and her good friends, Iggy Peck and Ada Twist. All these easy chapter books are illustrated with bigger text size and less text per page making them good reading choices for your 6 - 9-year-olds. What's more, all these titles contain female main characters with pluck and creativity. … [Read more...]
Hook Tweens on Magical Realism with These Incredible Books
Magical realism books aren't like fantasy -- there are no magicians or magical creatures -- this is a genre of realistic stories containing just a little bit of magic. Like the story of a girl on a farm with chickens who have powers. Or a tree in an orchard who grows things that the child most needs. I fell in love with magical realism in college when I read Isabel Allende's House of … [Read more...]
Picture Books with Stories of Loving Grandparents
It's wonderful when grandparents spend loving, quality time with their grandchildren. Such is the case in these picture books... children spending time with a grandparent, often it's just time together but sometimes it's sharing memories, adventures, or wisdom. Picture Books with Stories of Loving Grandparents Nana in the City by Lauren Castillo The boy doesn't like the city where Nana lives, … [Read more...]
11 Must-Read Middle Grade Books of Fall 2018
Want to know about the best new middle grade books? These will draw in tween readers with their compelling characters, important themes, and emotionally resonating stories. 11 Must-Read Middle Grade Books of Fall 2018 Sweep by Jonathan Auxier HISTORICAL FICTION / MAGICAL REALISM Set in Victorian London, this is a beautiful, bittersweet story about a plucky girl and her protector … [Read more...]
Adorable Kitty Bitty Memory Game for the Whole Family
Disclosure: I received a complimentary game to review. All opinions are my own. Cat-loving kids will love the new Kitty Bitty memory game from Blue Orange Games! This learning game, for ages 4 and up, practices memory skills and helps with color matching. The game pieces are all wooden and colorful, making it feel very wholesome and classic. I played this game with my two kids and husband. We all … [Read more...]
Picture Books to Teach Children About the Seasons
Children can learn about the four seasons any time of year. One way to do that is start with picture books like these to spark further discovery. You'll notice that many of these books talk about observing a tree throughout the four seasons. These books lead to a wonderful hands-on way to observe nature's changes -- watching a tree all year. I recommend keeping a tree journal with illustrations or … [Read more...]
Bridging the Digital Divide
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by The Boys and Girls Club of America. BRIDGING THE DIGITAL DIVIDE Creating an Even Playing Field in an Era of Digital Education As students start heading back to classrooms across the country, instead of pencils and paper, many children rely on laptops and the internet to do their work. According to a recent study, 96.5% of students need internet access to … [Read more...]
10 Enjoyable Picture Books Late Summer 2018
Guess what? I have new picture books to share with you. Shocking, I know. My favorites are at the beginning (Interrupting Chicken and Are You Scared, Darth Vader) although, I like all the books or I wouldn't be sharing them. (I don't write reviews of books I think are blah or not enjoyable.) I hope you find lots of good books to read aloud to your children or students. 10 Enjoyable … [Read more...]
9 New Picture Books About Friendship & Being Yourself
Kids can feel more anxious during the back-to-school season. Part of their concern is about friendships, old and new; as well as worry about revealing who they really are. Even my teenager says she doesn't want to get bullied so she won't tell anyone she likes geeky things like Lord of the Rings. Which makes me only the more eager to help her and other kids know that being your true self can be … [Read more...]
Picture Books for Teaching Personification
When writers give human qualities to an object or animal, it's called personification. It's delightful to read and very fun to use in your own writing. Use these picture books as mentor texts to teach the concept of personification. If you're a teacher, these are perfect for writing workshop. They'll most definitely be a way to inspire kids' own personification stories. Read one of … [Read more...]
Interactive Notetaking 101: Benefits, How-To, and Materials
Disclosure: This post has been sponsored by FIVE STAR® School Supplies. All thoughts and opinions are my own. While many students may prefer technology, the research shows that handwritten notetaking is better for synthesis and retention. Which is why I LOVE interactive notetaking for this reason and the depth of learning it encourages. Learn more about this educational methodology (for all … [Read more...]