Is your older child writing a book or movie review? Here’s a five-minute clip of two of the best movie critics, Siskel and Ebert, talking about what makes a good film review–the discussion also holds for book reviews, restaurant reviews, or any other piece of writing you’re doing in which you must be critical.
Tag: 15-minute ideas
Great game: "No it wasn’t"
Here’s a great game that can spark an interest in plot and character. (And giggling and goofiness.) By Jennifer A. Nielsen A great road trip game is called “No, It Wasn’t.” It’s played with partners. One begins telling a story—any story. The other interrupts as often you like with, “No, it wasn’t”—or any […]
Play on Words – literacy action game
By Nancy Miller Here’s a fun activity that can take five minutes, or roll out to 10 or 15. The goal here is to have fun with words — and encourage your kid to get reading! Play on Words This activity uses three major learning styles: • visual: they see […]
Save the Words
Won’t you adopt a word? You don’t normally think of the Oxford English Dictionary people as silly, but they’ve developed a project that’s pretty goofy, and it’s something you can do with your kid to get her thinking about language. They’ve rounded up hundreds of words that don’t get used […]
How to build reading success
Could this be Snappy the mouse? Well, no, I made him up. But if there was a mouse named Snappy, this would be him. In a bi-plane. Image: by Dvortygirl. Here’s a great way to help your child succeed at reading and at the same time develop a love of books… […]
Parents can teach media literacy
The North American House Hippo exists… right? Move media literacy up on your curriculum. The world for kids today is increasingly packed with messages from the media that are contradictory, confusing and overwhelming. (By media, I mean primarily advertisers, news organizations and the Internet.) Media literacy—being able to make sense of […]
Promote literacy: four important activities
There’s a fourth promoter of literacy. You know that I’m always going on about the three most important things you can do to turn your kid into a great reader: 1) Read to her every day. 2) Have lots of books scattered throughout your house. 3) Let her see you […]
Back to school 2010
By Julia Mohamed It’s nearly back-to-school time! Time to go from running wild and free to becoming a studious student once again. Here are a few ideas to help make the transition as smooth as possible: Goal Journal Have your kids contribute to a nightly journal. Begin now, with their […]
Write your kid a letter
Have you sent your kid a letter this summer? What a great thing to do! When you’re bored at work – instead of re-checking your e-mail for the tenth time, or surfing, do something that will help your kid… write her a letter. It takes, like, 10 minutes and it […]
License Plate Game
Our family recently took an 11-hour car trip. And guess what we did in the car? Played Julia’s License Plate Game. It was great! First of all, it took our son away from his DS video game (curse you, Pokemon!). Secondly, it did exactly what Julia said it would – […]
