“Picture It” picture book giveaway. Toronto hosted Word on the Street on Sunday. I’m always blown away by the sheer number of people who come out to the one-day festival. There are kids’ literature lovers, fantasy and sci-fi afficiandoes, magazines, alt literature – even Harlequin had a booth. I picked […]
More
We’re now gkreading.com
We have a new – and improved – web address. Getting Kids Reading is now at www.gkreading.com. The old address (http://gettingkidsreading.blogspot.com) will still work. And the content hasn’t changed. But the address is just a bit easier to, um, read. And isn’t that the point? Yes. I’d like to thank […]
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 […]
Video-kid ideas needed
As you may know, when I’m not blogging or mothering I’m a freelance journalist. I’m currently writing a magazine article about how to get kids who love video games, to love reading as well. One of the ways to do this is to use technology, that has a literacy component, […]
Finger Puppet Book Bags
A little gem from the literacy conference. It’s a knitted book bag, with finger puppets that adhere with snaps to the bag. A knitted string lets the child hang it around her neck and take it anywhere. Each bag has a theme. For instance, the Ocean bag has a handpainted […]
Percy Jackson and the Olympians
“Surprise!” When my son went to bed last night, this is what he found on his pillow – a Coles bookstore bag, with a book-sized lump in it. You’re eight, you don’t feel like going to bed, you’re dragging your feet, prolonging the inevitable… and then you find a new […]
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 […]
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 […]
Great homework
Our son’s teacher created an awesome homework assignment. And it’s something parents could do, too. I just asked my son and his friend if they’ve finished their homework (it’s just two days into the winter break). They both said yes. Even though there was a lot of reading involved, and […]
Make a book for Christmas
This is a great time to make your child a book for Christmas or Hannukah.Children of all ages are motivated to read a book about their favourite subject – themselves. Here’s how*Buy a small scrapbook with stiff pages. (Craft stores have them. You can also use a photo album.) *Select […]
