Growing up, I got to make my own choices and to censor the books I thought weren't worth my time, for whatever reason. I choose. Not a school board. Not a library. Not my teacher. Me. I am grateful for the ability to choose what I read. Then and now. And I think it's a freedom we must extend to everyone. Banned Books, Parenting, and Schools In 2011, a Missouri school board voted to ban … [Read more...]
11 Favorite, Healthy After-School Snacks
Sometimes we just need fresh snack ideas -- with pictures! So here are pictures and ideas for healthy after school snacks that my kids enjoy. I hope yours will, too. Healthy After-School Snacks Ritz Cracker Sandwiches Are your kids sick of sandwiches but don't always get much protein in their diet? Mine, too. But they do love cracker sandwiches - cheese, organic lunch meat, and whole wheat … [Read more...]
How I Got 1 Million Followers on Pinterest (+Kindle Fire Giveaway)
Mary Prather gained 1,000 followers in one day. Rachel Miller tripled her Pinterest following from 9K to 36K. Amy Mascottincreased her Pinterest following more than 8,000 followers–in only about three weeks. How? With my new book, Pinterest Savvy: How I Got 1 Million+ Followers (Strategies, Plans, and Tips, to Grow Your Business with Pinterest). (You don't need a Kindle to read it! You … [Read more...]
23 Reasons to Read Printable Poster
Why do we read? I spent some time thinking about this . . . and how we want our kids to read for so many reasons. Reasons such as . . . to imagine to understand to dream to discover to meet to empathize to grow . . . there are so many reasons, aren't there? I wrote the "23 Reasons to Read" printable poster for you, your kids, your classroom, and your friends. Reasons to … [Read more...]
Raising Innovative Kids
Guess what we're doing this summer? Nothing much. We went to the pool for the first time last week but other than a few trips to the library, we're doing nothing. The book, Creating Innovators, confirmed that my kids need time. They need time for play and discovery. Back to the book, . . . I also learned this valuable parenting knowledge to share with you from the book, Creating Innovators . … [Read more...]
Reading Comprehension Strategies (part 2)
Good readers use specific strategies; strategies that kids can learn and that you can teach your kids. Help your kids become better readers, readers who comprehend what they are reading, when you read with them - from beginning readers to more advanced readers. Reading Comprehension Strategies 1. Monitor understanding "I know / don't know what's happening." We talked about this yesterday - … [Read more...]
Help Your Child Improve Reading Comprehension
Are your kids comprehending what they read? Because if they aren't, you need to know how you an help your child improve his reading comprehension. And you need to know how to help them at home. Especially over the summer. Some kids don't stop when they're confused, they just keep going! (Aaah!) I had 5th graders who were proficient at faking it. Since I always let my students choose their own … [Read more...]
Eraser Stories Motivate Beginning Writers
You know those cute little erasers that are so popular right now? Well, use them to inspire a story idea for beginning writers! All ages will have fun with this writing idea, especially beginning and reluctant writers. (Photos from the Imagination Soup writing workshop today.) Also visit gifts for writers to see more writing motivation ideas. Beginning Writer Story Starter I found packets … [Read more...]
BIG NEWS!
Today seems like a good day to tell you my big news. Ready? I'm signed with a book agent!! It's so big that I'm unable to do a Snoopy dance because I'm still trying to pick my jaw up from my knees. I didn't submit a proposal, I got "discovered" by Jeff Kleinman at Folio Literary Management's intern, Cicily Janus. She called me on a Monday to tell me Jeff was interested. I dropped … [Read more...]
New Children’s Books
Spring's bounty of newly published books for kids is here with a round-up of new children's books: picture books, board books, and non-fiction. New Children's Books Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons by Eric Litwin, created by James Dean I imagine it's hard to follow the perfection of the first Pete the Cat book. So, my kids and I read this book with a wary eye . . . and loved it! Again … [Read more...]
Engaging Puzzle and Activity Books for Kids
Are you keeping up with summer learning so your kids don't experience the dreaded "summer slide"? Me, too. But, that's where puzzle and activity books come in. They'll keep your kids and mine learning and thinking this summer. ('Cause I need to get my act together! You?) Activity Books for Kids Ages 2 - 5 eyePad ABC/abc and eyePad 123 Ages 6 - 12 eyePad Amazing Games … [Read more...]
A Book-Themed Percy Jackson Birthday Party
Percy Jackson (affiliate link) is a five book chapter book series about a 12 year old demi-god boy whose dad is Poseidon, the Greek god of the sea. Percy spends the series of light-hearted, adventurous books escaping from monsters, training at Camp Half-Blood (a camp for demi-gods) and questing -- for example, in the first book, he tries to prove that he didn't steal Zeus' lightening … [Read more...]