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 – […]
15-min. ideas
Lessons from a kindergarten teacher
This is a kindergarten teacher – and a teacher of teachers. Lori Jamison introduced a roomful of kindergarten teachers at the recent Reading for the Love of it conference to a handful of “mini-lessons” to get kids reading. Her first point was, “what do we want kindergarteners to know about […]
Family Literacy Day – Jan. 27
Today is Family Literacy Day. This is the day! It’s the day you and your kid: 1) Read together. 2) Talk about your favourite book. 3) Listen to a book on tape. 4) Write each other a letter, which you drop in the mail for each other. Surprise! 5) Vote […]
Mysterious Benedict logic puzzles
If your child loves puzzles, click here. I’ve been raving about The Mysterious Benedict Society books.My son is loving them and frankly, so am I. They’re about four unusual children who are called upon by Mr. Benedict to solve a threatening, decidedly adult problem. The impending utter breakdown of society […]
Profile: Male, 14, likes movies, skiing
Some great teen fantasy reads Do you know a teenaged boy who’s into movies, skiing and video games? Maybe he’ll like the same books as this young man. PROFILEMale, 14, enjoys reading DESCRIBE YOURSELFFunny, tall, smart, athletic LIKESVideo games, books, movies, skiing TOP FIVE FAVOURITE BOOKS1) Percy Jackson and the […]
Profile: Boy, 8, active, likes video games
Parents are always asking each other for book suggestions.It’s a good idea, because what one child likes will often appeal to other kids of the same age and interests. I’ve decided to profile some very different kids and ask them to share their top five books. When kids are forced […]
Idioms are helpful
My son loves idioms. When he was in junior kindergarten, a wonderful school librarian took him under her wing to give him some learning extensions. She taught him about idioms – phrases that can’t be taken literally, like “break a leg” or “you run like a cheetah.” He had great […]
School-wide literacy ideas
Most of these ideas can be used in your home.(Or suggest them to your principal). Here are some great, inexpensive literacy ideas for teachers from the blog, Choice Literacy. Currently Reading posters on lockersKids post a notice on their locker that says what they’re currently reading, and features a colour […]
Thank-you cards
A great literacy activity. Your kids have probably just received a bunch of gifts, and I’m betting that at least some of the senders weren’t in the room when they were opened. So that means thank-you cards. They’re not optional. In our house if you don’t want to write a […]
A great "travelling" word game
Here’s another great word game. Our family recently travelled to Ottawa. Early one morning, we broke out a game we’d brought called Scrabble Apple. We really enjoyed it. What I like about it is that it’s portable, all of the pieces go back in the apple when you’re done, and […]
