Scott Pilgrim vs. The World – Official Trailer This looks like a lot of fun, and I’m hoping it will be a good reading extension. It’s the movie, Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, starring (the adorable) Michael Cera. It’s based on the very popular series of Scott Pilgrim books. Here’s […]
Tips
Alice movie too dark for (most) kids
As you know, I’m a big advocate of what I call reading extensions. They’re the added bonus events, movies, products and tie-ins that go beyond the book, and which may help some kids get interested in a book or explore a book more fully. Alice in WonderlandThe other night, I […]
Munsch-mania!
What rock star had people at the Living Arts Centre in Mississauga, Ontario lined up two-deep, for blocks? Robert Munsch, children’s literature rock star! Robert Munsch did two shows today at the Living Arts Centre, and in-between he signed books and had his picture taken with star-struck youngsters (and their […]
Read what your kid’s reading
My son’s copy of Percy Jackson has two bookmarks in it—his and mine. We’re both reading it. Not only is it a great series and a lot of fun to read, but I’m realizing there are huge benefits to reading what he’s reading. The best part is catching those really […]
Get your video-kid reading
Kids can be into video games and enjoy reading, too! Your child loves video games but isn’t a big reader? No problem. Here are some tips that will get your video-loving kid reading. 1) GO WITH THE FLOW. Studies show that kids are more apt to read things that interest […]
Getting active kids reading
Sitting and reading is not the only way. At age five, girls are able to sit still and listen about 2.5 times longer than boys, according to studies. But we don’t need research to tell us that most boys would rather get up and move around than sit and read. […]
Alice now and then
Do cheer up, Alice dear! This is the first Alice in Wonderland – the namesake. It’s Alice Liddell, one of three girls to whom Lewis Carroll told the original story of Alice Through the Looking Glass. They urged him to write it down, and the rest is history. The Globe […]
Dry-Erase Crayons
Things that make you go “d’uh!” This is one of those inventions that you wish you’d thought of. Dry-erase crayons. How good is that? No mess, no smell, no drying out. But do they work? This is the best part – they really, really do work well. The colours are […]
Bubblegum writing
Another tip from Lori Jamison, speaking at the recent Reading for the Love of It conference. When she’s trying to get young children to sound out words, she calls it “bubblegum writing.” She tells them to pretend the word they want to write–let’s say, “camping”–is a piece of bubblegum. With […]
Early writers – adding detail
Yes, Lori Jamison’s workshop was packed. And for good reason. Here’s another excellent tip she shared. When her kindergarteners were starting to write sentences (towards the end of JK or in SK), they would write this way: “I like my cat.” And that would be it. I’m finished, teacher! How […]
