Spread Your Love of Books

 The Australian website, My Little Bookcase, is hosting The Little Book Adventure as part of the 2012 National Year of Reading.

This month's challenge is Spread Your Love of Books. It is designed as a way for readers to connect with each other through books they've read - but in a unique way. Participants are encouraged to borrow books from the library, and after reading them, write a short note to leave in the book for the next reader to find. That's it!

This is a really great way for readers to share what they love about a book. Favorite parts, favorite characters, and favorite illustrations are suggested starting points. Younger readers may need help - or they can just draw a picture to show their feelings. Older readers can write a more "formal" letter.

The opportunities for classroom use are many. Teachers can use this activity as a jumping off point for lessons on choosing books, what qualities make a good book, care for books, as well as letter writing lessons.

Homeschoolers and parents can take part in library story hours and other book-related activities at their local bookstore as a way to explore great books.

Just one caution - be sure that your library will allow notes to be left in books - some libraries remove all papers and notes when a book is returned - so check to be sure.

A variation on this is an old idea for sharing books that has been around for several years - BookCrossing. More of a movement than anything else - BookCrossing readers simply leave favorite books for others to find. Or - they can look for books left by others and read them, too. All it takes is a simple registration. Books are listed at the site and get a code number which can be tracked by readers. This would have been a great way to complete the My Little Bookcase practice challenge. Lots of fun!

Next month's challenge begins May 1.

Original copyright 2012 Irene Taylor. Permission to republish Spread Your Love of Books in print or online must be granted by the author of this blog in writing.

Quick Tips for Teachers: Homework Cards

Use this homework card system to encourage and reward responsibility in the area of homework.

At the beginning of the year, or the marking period, give each student a 5"x8" index card.  Have each student write her name on the top line of the card, and begin numbering the lines along the edge of the card.  Choose a target number of days students will need to complete all assignments in order to receive a reward (10 is a good one to start with).

For each day that a student completes and hands in all homework assignments given, she receives a stamp on her card. Using a simple date stamp works well, as it gives you a record of the dates homework was completed, and it fits nicely on the index card lines.  When a student has earned ten (or your target number) stamps, allow the student to choose a sticker or other classroom reward.  Students continue to use the same card to accumulate stamps until it is full (make several columns of stamps).

Students will feel a sense of accomplishment as they see the columns of stamps add up, and as their responsibility for their homework pays off!

Be sure to see my series on homework. The first post is here:  Homework Q&A: Assignments.

Special Homework eBook offer - through May 11.
Copyright 2012 Irene Taylor.All rights reserved.

Get Creative with Your Book Storage

The first challenge in the My Little Bookcase Reading Adventure is "Get Creative with your Book Storage."

Here is a cute idea for a book corner that works especially well for the lower grades - or as an addition to a reading area at home. My book corner is a comfy place with colorful shelves and hand decorated chairs. There is a rug, lots of books and places to curl up with a great book.

The highlight of this corner is this unique shelving idea - a small painted stepladder that acts as a featured bookshelf. Mine's bright blue - and the steps of the ladder make great shelving for my favorite books. These are rotated on a weekly or monthly basis, depending upon what we are studying or what strikes my fancy - and the kids'!

Choose a small wooden ladder - one in which all steps can easily be reached by your students. Paint it a bright color - get the kids to help if that is allowed in your school - and then get creative with book displays. It is a lot of fun and a unique way to store and display your book collection.

Just one caution - fill up those steps with books and NO climbing!!

This challenge ended in March, but there are many great book storage ideas that have been shared on the website, so check them out!

Original copyright 2012 Irene Taylor. Permission to republish Get Creative with Your Book Storage in print or online must be granted by the author of this blog in writing.

The Little Book Adventure

I just came across a great way to promote reading with your kids at home and at school! The Australian website, My Little Bookcase, is hosting The Little Book Adventure as part of the 2012 National Year of Reading.

There are monthly reading challenges, chances to win prizes (if you live in Australia) and lots of great blog entries describing how teachers around the world are using the monthly challenges to promote reading.

I'm a bit late for the March challenge, Get Creative with your Book Storage, but I'll be blogging about it soon.

The challenge for April is "Spread Your Love for Books" - a very cute idea and one that actually reminds me of a take on BookCrossing.

More soon on a really interesting way to share books and a love of reading - something that could be done in any school!

Original copyright 2012 Irene Taylor. Permission to republish The Little Book Adventure in print or online must be granted by the author of this blog in writing.

Guess My Word

This game is a fun way for students to review vocabulary.  To prepare
for play, make vocabulary cards by writing words to be practiced on index
cards.  Explain to the class that the object of the game is for one teammate
to try to guess his team's Secret Word after being given clues to the meaning
by the rest of the team. The team that needs the fewest clues to guess
its Secret Word is the winner.

To play:

1. Divide the class into teams.  This game can be played with 2 or 3 large teams, or several smaller teams.   
2.  Send the first student from Team One into the hall.  Have Team One choose a word from the prepared vocabulary cards, and agree on several clues as to the meaning.
3. Have the student in the hall return to the class.  Tell teammates to take turns giving vocabulary clues without actually stating the definition of the selected word.  Have students give clues until the word is guessed. The team receives one point for each clue needed to determine the word.
4. Continue to play, and keep score, with members of alternating teams having a turn to guess their team's Secret Word. When all words have been used, the team with the lowest score is
   the winner.

Copyright 2012 Irene Taylor.All rights reserved.

Best Kids' Books for Easter and Spring

 Spring's here and Easter is just around the corner. Here are three great springtime books for kids to enjoy!

Spring Readers: Set of 3 Easter Books for Kids by Jackie Jeffrey is available on Kindle and has three cute little stories with an Easter theme.  The titles include Springtime Alphabet Words, Easter Fun Facts, and Easter Basket Hunt. Fun for everyone!

The Starry Bird: an Easter Tale by Reg Down is a wonderful paperback story for ages 8 and up that weaves the traditional Easter story into an animal fantasy. According to Midwest Book Review, "Parents and children will enjoy The Starry Bird, the perfect book to send along with a favorite young person on their spring vacation or in their Easter basket."
  
The Ancient Celtic Festivals: and How We Celebrate Them Today by Claire Walker Leslie and Frank E.Grace looks at the ancient origins of many of the holidays we celebrate today, including Easter. Available in paperback or Kindle, this is a great resource for parents, teachers and homeschoolers - and focuses on man's interaction with nature throughout the year.

Copyright 2012 Irene Taylor. Permission to republish Best Books for Easter and Spring in print or online must be granted by the author of this blog in writing.

Lapbooking Made Easy

Lapbooking Made Easy is a great little ebook for anyone wanting to learn how to make and use lapbooks. This guide would be an excellent resource for homeschoolers, primary grade teachers, or parents just looking for a great way to make learning at home fun! Lots of great illustrations, step by step instructions, and many examples. A bargain at Smashwords for 99 cents!

Copyright 2012 Irene Taylor.All rights reserved.

Postcards from a Frog

Here is a great multi-disciplinary project to start off the school year with. This was done in the school I taught at, with third graders, but could be used with any age students. This is a wonderful project for teaching geography skills, writing skills, and a variety of other things as well. 

Begin by choosing a "World Traveler" for your class. In our case it was a small stuffed frog! You will also need to enlist the help of parents, friends and relatives of the students in your class.

Here is how this activity works. Ask parents and other willing volunteers to take your class mascot along with them on any trips they may be taking. On the trip, even if it is a short one, ask the volunteers to send the class a postcard describing the mascot's destination and any activities that it enjoyed while there. For example, when we did this, I took our Frog skiing one weekend and sent a postcard back from the ski area describing the snow and the mountains and the chair lift.

As the postcards arrive, begin a large map and have students locate the places visited by their mascot. Post any pictures, brochures, or other memorabilia that your mascot returns with.

Great discussions about regions of the country, other countries, cultural traditions, geography, and climate can result. If interest in the program grows, consider adding a second mascot.

You may be surprised at the places your little mascot will go. It was rumored that ours almost got to go along on one of the Space Shuttle missions!!!

Enjoy!

Copyright 2012 Irene Taylor.All rights reserved.