Star Light, Star Bright – Word Sorts, Spelling Patterns, Reading Fluency

Star light, star bright,

The first star I see tonight;

I wish I may, I wish I might,

Have the wish I wish tonight.

-ight              -ay       -ish         -ar

bright          may       fish       star

light              day       dish       car

might           stay      wish         far

Pilgrims – The Story of Thanksgiving – Magic Tree House Guide

Pilgrims- by Mary Pope Osborne –  Magic Tree House (Nonfiction) Research Guide

This is one of the best children’s nonfiction books about Thanksgiving. It is ideal for any age group, especially primary students who are discovering their first chapter books, and for elementary school teachers’ lesson plans.

The book describes the lives of Pilgrims and the origin of Thanksgiving in an interesting and engaging way.

Happy Reading!

The Polar Express – by Allsburg – online story

The Polar Express -  by Chris Van Allsburg

This is an amazing Christmas story for all those who believe and/or doubt Santa. It’s a perfect holiday read for both parents and kids alike. The story is about a boy who gets on a magical train ride to the North Pole where he meets Santa and receives a special gift. Now you can watch this great story at www.storylineonline.net

Enjoy!

Friend or Fiend? by Judy Blume- The Best First Chapter Book

Friend or Fiend? by Judy Blume-
If you where looking for a great first chapter book for your child, this is the one. The stories are about a brother and sister, the Pain and the Great One. Unlike many other first chapter books, in which kids are badly behaved, Blume’s characters are just adorable, funny, and interesting. You will enjoy reading these chapters as much as your child.
Happy Reading!

Hop On Pop- Dr. Seuss

Hop on Pop -by Dr. Seuss is one o the best books for early readers. First graders tirelessly reread this book with everlasting enthusiasm. Like other Dr. Seuss books, “Hop on Pop” is full of funny rhymes and interesting illustrations. Words are easy enough to for an early reader and text is full of high frequency words, which are great for kids to practice.

Happy Reading!

Tacky the Penguin – Helen Lester- Something for Laughs

Tacky the Penguin- by Helen Lester- Something To Make Kids Laugh

Tacky is an odd bird. He does not blend in with other penguins. He has his own style, his own way of greeting and marching and splashing… And when he sings, others wish that he’d stop, but one day when the hunters come to hunt for penguins, Tacky saves the day. You’ll have to find out how.. This is a perfect story for 4-8 years olds. They will laugh and ask for a reread.

Happy Reading!

Wemberly Worried- Kevin Henkes- Something for the kids who worry

Wemberly Worried – by Kevin Henkes

Wemberly worries about everything, little things, big things, and things in between. She worries all day and all night long about all kinds of things, like, the crack in the wall, the radiator noise, her doll, having no friends, etc. Wemberly worries very much, but at the end she seems to become better able to manage her worries. To find out about the end, you’ll have to read the story. The kids will like it, and it will definitely make them laugh. Being worried and fearsome is a normal part of childhood. I found that this story really hits home with second grade students. Second graders are constant worriers. They are kind of like Wemberly . This is also a perfect story for a child who is about to go into a new school or start a new grade. 

Hope you enjoy it!

Eric Carle- Rooster’s Off to See the World- First Math Concepts

Rooster’s Off to See the World – by Eric Carle

Eric Carle’s books are just brilliant. They are inspiring, fun, and educational, and they are books that parents enjoy to read as well. In this story a rooster decides that he wants to go see the world, and as he starts his adventure he invites his other animal friends. And as cats, frogs, turtles, and fish join him, a child is able to visualize addition of animals, and then subtraction, as animals return to their homes. In addition to being a great first math concept book, this is often one of the first books that your child can read independently. It is a wonderful story that will be read many times over.

Hope you enjoy it!

Beware of the Storybook Wolves- Something for Boys

Beware of the Storybook Wolves – by Lauren Child

This is another great story by Lauren Child. Herb, a little boy, outsmarts two storybook wolves who were about to eat him up. The story is so funny and clever. It’s ideal for boys and girls 4-8. And if you love other Child’s books, especially The Princess and the Pea, you will love this one too.

Happy Reading!

Let Your Child Read Comics!

Improve your child’s reading. Let him read a comic!

Comic book are great for readers of any age. For the very young, who cannot read yet, every picture tells a story. And for the kids who are readers, comic books not only teach sophisticated vocabulary, which they might not hear from regular speech, but they teach kids to make inferences. 

And why are inferences important? They teach kids how to understand what they read and see to their own knowledge of the world. Inferencing is directly tied to reading comprehension. 

Anyhow, next time your child’s teacher, librarian, or a tutor shuns comic books, remember inferencing .

Read on!

Happy Summer!