Children's Authors and Illustrators on the Net
Some of you may be interested in this link (below) to all the children's authors and illustrators and children's literature resources on the net. This is a great resource.
You can read about your favorite authors or illustrators. Some have great websites with fun things to do. Great rainy day fun!
Jan Brett's site is outstanding and inspiring. There are loads of printable items for make and do crafts. learning games, to go along with her books. Check out the gingerbread house you can print out in color and assemble.
Dav Pilkey (Captain Underpants, Dragon) has an "Extra Crunchy Website o' Fun", Take a comic drawing lesson!
Children's Literature Web Guide
There is a lot to explore there.
Enjoy!
Showing posts with label Education. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Education. Show all posts
11/13/06
Reading Facts
Facts:
It takes a child 1500 literacy experiences before they enter school to become a successful student early on.
Reading to any child helps increase their reading abilities as well as vocabulary and comprehension.
The majority of prisoners in this country are illiterate. Low reading levels and violent crimes go hand in hand.
As you age, and the less you read, your reading level drops. This is why so many students who are seniors in high school may have elementary grade level reading levels.
Practice makes perfect. Reading is fun and entertaining.
Make a trip to your library and look around for fun.
A book is a great gift any time.
Thanks.
It takes a child 1500 literacy experiences before they enter school to become a successful student early on.
Reading to any child helps increase their reading abilities as well as vocabulary and comprehension.
The majority of prisoners in this country are illiterate. Low reading levels and violent crimes go hand in hand.
As you age, and the less you read, your reading level drops. This is why so many students who are seniors in high school may have elementary grade level reading levels.
Practice makes perfect. Reading is fun and entertaining.
Make a trip to your library and look around for fun.
A book is a great gift any time.
Thanks.
2/5/06
Volunteer Poems
What Are Volunteers?
Volunteers are like Ford......they have better ideas.
Volunteers are like Coke.....they're the real thing.
Volunteers are like Pepsi.....they've got a lot to give.
Volunteers are like Dial.....they care more, don't you wish everyone did.
Volunteers are like VO5 Hair Spray.....they hold in all kinds of weather.
Volunteers are like Hallmark.....they care enough to give the very best.
Volunteers are like Standard Oil....you expect more and you get it.
But most of all, Volunteers are like Frosted Flakes.....
THEY'RE GRRREAAT!!!!!
I'll Show You a Volunteer
Show me a person who spends endless hours in training without pay,
And, I'll show you a volunteer.
Show me a person where a cry for help brings split-second dispatch,
And, I'll show you a volunteer.
Show me a person who is devastated when lives are lost or maimed,
And, I'll show you a volunteer.
Show me a person who is graciously welcomed as a next-door neighbor,
And, I'll show you a volunteer.
Show me a person who often takes more ridicule than complaints,
And, I'll show you a volunteer.
Show me a person whose car is garaged with the grille facing out,
And, I'll show you a volunteer.
Show me a person who sacrifices home life, TV...even tender moments,
And, I'll show you a volunteer.
Show me a person visibly moved at the strains of our National Anthem,
And, I'll show you a volunteer.
Show me a person who may be asked to give more than just dedication,
And, I'll show you a volunteer.
Show me a person who is asked to give more...and more...and more,
And, I'll show you a volunteer.
The Volunteer is one with a heart so sincere.
No task too large, no task too small,
Who will help with anything at all.
Who will be there in the morning light,
Or help in the dark of night.
The Volunteer, our extra hand,
On whose future our Children Stand.
Never anyone so dear as a Volunteer !
Because You're Special
-- Author Unknown
We sometimes take for granted
In the rush of all we do,
And forget to say a special thanks
To volunteers like you!
So we send this note to tell you
How much all you do means,
Your gifts of time and of yourself
Are special ones indeed.
Poem
A school is more than books and desks
And learning two plus two
It's people who share their skills and care,
And try their best in all they do.
Please accept our heartfelt appreciation.
Our school's a better place
Because of your dedication.
-- Author Unknown
Volunteers are like Ford......they have better ideas.
Volunteers are like Coke.....they're the real thing.
Volunteers are like Pepsi.....they've got a lot to give.
Volunteers are like Dial.....they care more, don't you wish everyone did.
Volunteers are like VO5 Hair Spray.....they hold in all kinds of weather.
Volunteers are like Hallmark.....they care enough to give the very best.
Volunteers are like Standard Oil....you expect more and you get it.
But most of all, Volunteers are like Frosted Flakes.....
THEY'RE GRRREAAT!!!!!
I'll Show You a Volunteer
Show me a person who spends endless hours in training without pay,
And, I'll show you a volunteer.
Show me a person where a cry for help brings split-second dispatch,
And, I'll show you a volunteer.
Show me a person who is devastated when lives are lost or maimed,
And, I'll show you a volunteer.
Show me a person who is graciously welcomed as a next-door neighbor,
And, I'll show you a volunteer.
Show me a person who often takes more ridicule than complaints,
And, I'll show you a volunteer.
Show me a person whose car is garaged with the grille facing out,
And, I'll show you a volunteer.
Show me a person who sacrifices home life, TV...even tender moments,
And, I'll show you a volunteer.
Show me a person visibly moved at the strains of our National Anthem,
And, I'll show you a volunteer.
Show me a person who may be asked to give more than just dedication,
And, I'll show you a volunteer.
Show me a person who is asked to give more...and more...and more,
And, I'll show you a volunteer.
The Volunteer is one with a heart so sincere.
No task too large, no task too small,
Who will help with anything at all.
Who will be there in the morning light,
Or help in the dark of night.
The Volunteer, our extra hand,
On whose future our Children Stand.
Never anyone so dear as a Volunteer !
Because You're Special
-- Author Unknown
We sometimes take for granted
In the rush of all we do,
And forget to say a special thanks
To volunteers like you!
So we send this note to tell you
How much all you do means,
Your gifts of time and of yourself
Are special ones indeed.
Poem
A school is more than books and desks
And learning two plus two
It's people who share their skills and care,
And try their best in all they do.
Please accept our heartfelt appreciation.
Our school's a better place
Because of your dedication.
-- Author Unknown
2/4/06
Teacher Gift Ideas
Teacher Gift Ideas or Gift Ideas for Teachers -- a list to consider
Here is a list of some great inexpensive ideas to give a classroom teacher. The list is based on my own teaching experience and gifts I recieved over the decades of teaching.
One comment -- considering how many years I taught, the number of students over those years, how many mugs and ornaments do you think I got? Please . . . reconsider and pick an idea off this list!
Jean
Check your school or teacher's policy about gift giving to the staff or faculty.
Best Gifts I ever got: Complimentary notes from parents or students with a picture. Remember to put the date on them! They are a testimony to my career and I enjoy looking at them in the scrapbook I made of them. Some still make me cry or laugh.
For the classroom –
puzzles, games
package of gluesticks
packages of magic markers or dry markers
film or disposable cameras
multipack of tape
electric pencil sharpener
packages of pens/pencils
reams of paper: white or colored (due to budget cuts or supply rationing)
Dirt Devil mini-vacuum (for crumbs, glitter, etc)
Boxes of tissue
Boxes of bandaids (not every kid needs to see the nurse)
Soft Soap
Ziplock bags (larger size is great)
Magazine gift subscription - Ranger Rick, Cricket, Spider, or the like.
Educational videoes. These can be given to the school library so many children benefit.
Gift certificate to the local Teacher Supply Store, Staples, OfficeMax or Office Depot, or WalMart.
VCR or a TV -- yes! even if they are USED but WORKABLE and in good shape, any school would appreciate these donations. Call and talk to the principal before you bring it in.
Books
-- quality literature and appropriate for the class -- buy them, give a gift certificate to a bookstore, or donate any books you would like to get rid of by cleaning out your home library. A book is a gift that keeps on giving over time!! Teachers don't care if they are used and in good condition. Multiple copies in their libraries are good for Literature Circles.
Make sure books are in very good condition and avoid donating Disney, Little Golden Books or books that are TV associated.
Stationary -- personalized notes or paper or stationary, Thank-You Cards, general note cards, Birthday Cards, booklet of stamps.
A personalized name rubber stamp -- order these at the office supply shop. Takes about a week to arrive. Just order the teachers name: "Mrs. Favoriteteacher". If she moves on to another grade level or school, the stamp will still work for her.
Calendar -- one that features an author or illustrator, or illustrations from one book. For upper grade teachers -- word or fact a day calendars are great.
Personal Gifts
-- Gift Certificates to a bookstore or the local coffee shop (Starbucks rates pretty high!), sandwich shop or the local pizza place (comes in handy when teachers stay all afternoon before an Open House or other night school activity)
Scented Candles
Bath or Body products
Lotion (for after recess duty!)
Mall Gift Certificate
Movie Gift Certificate vouchers or booklets (give with some popcorn)
Fancy packaged coffee or tea
Hope this best of the best list helps you out!
This article originally appeared on my Ed site at IVillage then Geocities.
Here is a list of some great inexpensive ideas to give a classroom teacher. The list is based on my own teaching experience and gifts I recieved over the decades of teaching.
One comment -- considering how many years I taught, the number of students over those years, how many mugs and ornaments do you think I got? Please . . . reconsider and pick an idea off this list!
Jean
Check your school or teacher's policy about gift giving to the staff or faculty.
Best Gifts I ever got: Complimentary notes from parents or students with a picture. Remember to put the date on them! They are a testimony to my career and I enjoy looking at them in the scrapbook I made of them. Some still make me cry or laugh.
For the classroom –
puzzles, games
package of gluesticks
packages of magic markers or dry markers
film or disposable cameras
multipack of tape
electric pencil sharpener
packages of pens/pencils
reams of paper: white or colored (due to budget cuts or supply rationing)
Dirt Devil mini-vacuum (for crumbs, glitter, etc)
Boxes of tissue
Boxes of bandaids (not every kid needs to see the nurse)
Soft Soap
Ziplock bags (larger size is great)
Magazine gift subscription - Ranger Rick, Cricket, Spider, or the like.
Educational videoes. These can be given to the school library so many children benefit.
Gift certificate to the local Teacher Supply Store, Staples, OfficeMax or Office Depot, or WalMart.
VCR or a TV -- yes! even if they are USED but WORKABLE and in good shape, any school would appreciate these donations. Call and talk to the principal before you bring it in.
Books
-- quality literature and appropriate for the class -- buy them, give a gift certificate to a bookstore, or donate any books you would like to get rid of by cleaning out your home library. A book is a gift that keeps on giving over time!! Teachers don't care if they are used and in good condition. Multiple copies in their libraries are good for Literature Circles.
Make sure books are in very good condition and avoid donating Disney, Little Golden Books or books that are TV associated.
Stationary -- personalized notes or paper or stationary, Thank-You Cards, general note cards, Birthday Cards, booklet of stamps.
A personalized name rubber stamp -- order these at the office supply shop. Takes about a week to arrive. Just order the teachers name: "Mrs. Favoriteteacher". If she moves on to another grade level or school, the stamp will still work for her.
Calendar -- one that features an author or illustrator, or illustrations from one book. For upper grade teachers -- word or fact a day calendars are great.
Personal Gifts
-- Gift Certificates to a bookstore or the local coffee shop (Starbucks rates pretty high!), sandwich shop or the local pizza place (comes in handy when teachers stay all afternoon before an Open House or other night school activity)
Scented Candles
Bath or Body products
Lotion (for after recess duty!)
Mall Gift Certificate
Movie Gift Certificate vouchers or booklets (give with some popcorn)
Fancy packaged coffee or tea
Hope this best of the best list helps you out!
This article originally appeared on my Ed site at IVillage then Geocities.
2/3/06
Reading Activity Ideas
Reading Ideas for Parents -- to help your struggling reader
My son has trouble reading so here are some ideas that you can use at home.
Being diligent and consistant with a plan usually equals success. Set aside a time and place to do some of these activities.
Trips to libraries, your town or another town's for a visit to view materials is a great field trip and FREE!
Read quality fiction stories (no Disney mass market) -- look at pictures and ask what will happen --ask questions between reading -- predict the outcome.
Keep a dated reading log listing title of book/author/illustrator. Use one of those composition notebooks. Have your child rate the story 1 to 5 stars (draw, stickers, or rubberstamp).
Discuss unfamiliar words -- keep a list in the reading log.
Words kept in the reading log can be identified as nouns (person, place, things, or ideas), verbs (action words), or adjectives (words that describe usually nouns). Use color codes (dots next to words, writting the word in color, or using a colored shape and putting the approriate words in the proper colored shape) for word types: Nouns are blue, verbs are red, adjectives are green. A child sees his/her progress in a reading log, especially one that is filled up!
Ask after reading -- what was the beginning, middle and ending of the story. Ask what is the setting, what time of day? Look at the picture or word clues.
Ask who is the main character and supporting characters.
Ask about a certain character's traits
Ask what the problem was and how it was solved.
Read everyday things together -- menus, ads, cake or cereal boxes, signs on the road or in the store, etc. Have your child find words you think he/she knows, like an I Spy a Word game.
Non-fiction -- what does your child want to learn more about? Pick a topic (example: whales). Read a book about the topic. List 5 facts that were learned in the reading log. You can also make a list of pertinent vocabulary. Select a second book on the same topic. List facts from that book that you did not learn in the first book.
You can do this on a third book.
If possible, find a place you can visit that supports what you have just read.
Non-fiction is great for giving your child a chance to feel worthy/capable of learning about something and learning to read.
Read a nursery rhyme a day or focus on one a week -- this develops a cadance for reading. Act it out or tap out the beat. Have your child learn and repeat the rhyme.
Using the tapping out the beat, tap out the beat of a nursery rhyme and see if the child can guess which one it is.
There are many many children in this day and age that do not know nursery rhymes.
Play rhyming word games -- name a word and see what word you child can come up with to rhyme with it.
Get a pack of sight word cards (WalMart has plenty, there are also downloadable cards online) -- take out 5-10 depending on the child's ability. Show the card to the child. If the child can read the word, they keep the card for a point. Sometimes I use pennies as points.
Write simple familiar stories and have your child illustrate them. I type up the simple story (begining, middle, and end, three sentences usually) my son tells me, we cut it up and paste it into a composition book and he draws the picture.
Or I select "landscape" on the printer and we type out a four page story on the puter and print it out. You need to remember to do pages 1 and 4 on one side, and pages 2 and 3 on the other. (Fold a paper in half, the front is page 1, the inside are pages 2 and 3, the back is page 4.)
This article originally appeared on my Ed site at IVillage then at Geocities. Written 8/05.
My son has trouble reading so here are some ideas that you can use at home.
Being diligent and consistant with a plan usually equals success. Set aside a time and place to do some of these activities.
Trips to libraries, your town or another town's for a visit to view materials is a great field trip and FREE!
Read quality fiction stories (no Disney mass market) -- look at pictures and ask what will happen --ask questions between reading -- predict the outcome.
Keep a dated reading log listing title of book/author/illustrator. Use one of those composition notebooks. Have your child rate the story 1 to 5 stars (draw, stickers, or rubberstamp).
Discuss unfamiliar words -- keep a list in the reading log.
Words kept in the reading log can be identified as nouns (person, place, things, or ideas), verbs (action words), or adjectives (words that describe usually nouns). Use color codes (dots next to words, writting the word in color, or using a colored shape and putting the approriate words in the proper colored shape) for word types: Nouns are blue, verbs are red, adjectives are green. A child sees his/her progress in a reading log, especially one that is filled up!
Ask after reading -- what was the beginning, middle and ending of the story. Ask what is the setting, what time of day? Look at the picture or word clues.
Ask who is the main character and supporting characters.
Ask about a certain character's traits
Ask what the problem was and how it was solved.
Read everyday things together -- menus, ads, cake or cereal boxes, signs on the road or in the store, etc. Have your child find words you think he/she knows, like an I Spy a Word game.
Non-fiction -- what does your child want to learn more about? Pick a topic (example: whales). Read a book about the topic. List 5 facts that were learned in the reading log. You can also make a list of pertinent vocabulary. Select a second book on the same topic. List facts from that book that you did not learn in the first book.
You can do this on a third book.
If possible, find a place you can visit that supports what you have just read.
Non-fiction is great for giving your child a chance to feel worthy/capable of learning about something and learning to read.
Read a nursery rhyme a day or focus on one a week -- this develops a cadance for reading. Act it out or tap out the beat. Have your child learn and repeat the rhyme.
Using the tapping out the beat, tap out the beat of a nursery rhyme and see if the child can guess which one it is.
There are many many children in this day and age that do not know nursery rhymes.
Play rhyming word games -- name a word and see what word you child can come up with to rhyme with it.
Get a pack of sight word cards (WalMart has plenty, there are also downloadable cards online) -- take out 5-10 depending on the child's ability. Show the card to the child. If the child can read the word, they keep the card for a point. Sometimes I use pennies as points.
Write simple familiar stories and have your child illustrate them. I type up the simple story (begining, middle, and end, three sentences usually) my son tells me, we cut it up and paste it into a composition book and he draws the picture.
Or I select "landscape" on the printer and we type out a four page story on the puter and print it out. You need to remember to do pages 1 and 4 on one side, and pages 2 and 3 on the other. (Fold a paper in half, the front is page 1, the inside are pages 2 and 3, the back is page 4.)
This article originally appeared on my Ed site at IVillage then at Geocities. Written 8/05.
2/2/06
MOOSE Notebooks
MOOSE NOTEBOOKS (or the like)
Management of Organizational Skills Everyday
Notebooks (quality 1 inch thick (or thicker depending on your needs)three ring binders with a view panel and several labelled colored pocket folders and protection sheets) are designed to help students develop good organizational skills that will benefit them throughout life. It ensures that parents receive all vital papers coming home: homework assignments, notes, graded papers, anedotal notebooks. Parents are expected to check the notebook each night with your child. Once a week students turn in the weekly homework assignment sheet that has been signed by a parent.
Pocket Folders with two sides and with three holes (don't try to punch the holes yourself, buy them prepunched!!) are color coded depending on what colors you want to use for the specific sections.
Sections of the MOOSE Notebook.
Use as many or as few as you need or see fit, this is an idea list.
Zipper Pocket – place lunch money in here, notes, field trip permission slips, fund raising money, picture money, book order money, .
Pocket Folder: Homework Section – Weekly assignment sheet that should be signed by parent nightly when work is completed. All homework sheets are here: spelling, math facts, practice pages etc. Reading logs are also kept here also.
Pocket Folder: Newsletters/Notes from School – from the classroom, administration or the SAU
The following pages are contained in a page view protection sheet for easy access:
Calendar and Menu
Classroom (rules, schedules) or school information
An empty page protection sheet for classroom books borrowed or used for homework.
Pocket Folder – completed and corrected work to be kept.
Pocket Folder – missed work to be made up
Other items that can be included: handwriting chart, numbers, colors, suggested grade level book list, Study tips, overview of what is covered during the semester or all year.
There are many other names for this notebook:
BEE -- Bring Everything Everyday
FROG – Fun, Responsibility, Organization & Growth
BEAR – Bring Everything Always Ready
A list of over 170 similar acronyms can be found here (dead link removed).
Other Notes:
For preschoolers, kindergarten students, you may want to send the notebooks home once a week, take home on Wednesday or Thursday bring back the next day.
Best time to check books is in the AM while students have morning desk work. You will know where to look for anything that is coming into the classroom.
Some teachers have used a flagging system if there are papers being returned from home and a flag is visible on a page. Or you can have a piece of paper that slips in the front viewer to identify a note is back.
Financing the notebooks ~tips~ --
PTA
You can ask parents to donate a set amount of money (figure out how much it will cost you to put together, then ask for that amount)
Donation from a business that is in partnership with a school. Or a parent may be able get a donation from their business workplace.
WalMart grant (apply early).
Some office stores may be willing to donate all the material or give you money credit for a set amount of material and you match the funding or pay the overage.
(This article originally appeared on my Ed website at IVillage and then Geocities. Updated 9/09)
Management of Organizational Skills Everyday
Notebooks (quality 1 inch thick (or thicker depending on your needs)three ring binders with a view panel and several labelled colored pocket folders and protection sheets) are designed to help students develop good organizational skills that will benefit them throughout life. It ensures that parents receive all vital papers coming home: homework assignments, notes, graded papers, anedotal notebooks. Parents are expected to check the notebook each night with your child. Once a week students turn in the weekly homework assignment sheet that has been signed by a parent.
Pocket Folders with two sides and with three holes (don't try to punch the holes yourself, buy them prepunched!!) are color coded depending on what colors you want to use for the specific sections.
Sections of the MOOSE Notebook.
Use as many or as few as you need or see fit, this is an idea list.
Zipper Pocket – place lunch money in here, notes, field trip permission slips, fund raising money, picture money, book order money, .
Pocket Folder: Homework Section – Weekly assignment sheet that should be signed by parent nightly when work is completed. All homework sheets are here: spelling, math facts, practice pages etc. Reading logs are also kept here also.
Pocket Folder: Newsletters/Notes from School – from the classroom, administration or the SAU
The following pages are contained in a page view protection sheet for easy access:
Calendar and Menu
Classroom (rules, schedules) or school information
An empty page protection sheet for classroom books borrowed or used for homework.
Pocket Folder – completed and corrected work to be kept.
Pocket Folder – missed work to be made up
Other items that can be included: handwriting chart, numbers, colors, suggested grade level book list, Study tips, overview of what is covered during the semester or all year.
There are many other names for this notebook:
BEE -- Bring Everything Everyday
FROG – Fun, Responsibility, Organization & Growth
BEAR – Bring Everything Always Ready
A list of over 170 similar acronyms can be found here (dead link removed).
Other Notes:
For preschoolers, kindergarten students, you may want to send the notebooks home once a week, take home on Wednesday or Thursday bring back the next day.
Best time to check books is in the AM while students have morning desk work. You will know where to look for anything that is coming into the classroom.
Some teachers have used a flagging system if there are papers being returned from home and a flag is visible on a page. Or you can have a piece of paper that slips in the front viewer to identify a note is back.
Financing the notebooks ~tips~ --
PTA
You can ask parents to donate a set amount of money (figure out how much it will cost you to put together, then ask for that amount)
Donation from a business that is in partnership with a school. Or a parent may be able get a donation from their business workplace.
WalMart grant (apply early).
Some office stores may be willing to donate all the material or give you money credit for a set amount of material and you match the funding or pay the overage.
(This article originally appeared on my Ed website at IVillage and then Geocities. Updated 9/09)
2/1/06
100th Day of School Ideas
100th Day of School Ideas
The 100th day of school usually falls in the month of February.
My children were asked to bring in 100 small objects that fit into a plastic ziplock bag for the 100th day of school.
Here are some ideas to consider.
For next year, start your kids early and get a 100 page book and ask 100 people for their autograph.
We thought of pennies, fruit loops or cheerios necklaces, mini-marshmellows, LEGOs and paper clips, toothpicks, popsicle sticks, macaroni, buttons, elastics, bandaids, balloons, stickers, pebbles, wrapped candy, jelly beans, gummy bears, animal crackers, popcorn kernels, dried beans, pencils, erasers.
M&Ms!!!!
Stamps, tickets, and beads or buttons were four other small things we thought of.
100 words they know or fancy big words (for older students), or nouns, verbs, or adjectives.
Be careful of 100 peanuts as someone in the class may be allergic.
100 styrofoam packing peanuts (aka "ghost poops") would be ok.
Another fun idea is to have people in your house put lipstick on and kiss paper so you have 100 kisses.
Hope this helps!
The 100th day of school usually falls in the month of February.
My children were asked to bring in 100 small objects that fit into a plastic ziplock bag for the 100th day of school.
Here are some ideas to consider.
For next year, start your kids early and get a 100 page book and ask 100 people for their autograph.
We thought of pennies, fruit loops or cheerios necklaces, mini-marshmellows, LEGOs and paper clips, toothpicks, popsicle sticks, macaroni, buttons, elastics, bandaids, balloons, stickers, pebbles, wrapped candy, jelly beans, gummy bears, animal crackers, popcorn kernels, dried beans, pencils, erasers.
M&Ms!!!!
Stamps, tickets, and beads or buttons were four other small things we thought of.
100 words they know or fancy big words (for older students), or nouns, verbs, or adjectives.
Be careful of 100 peanuts as someone in the class may be allergic.
100 styrofoam packing peanuts (aka "ghost poops") would be ok.
Another fun idea is to have people in your house put lipstick on and kiss paper so you have 100 kisses.
Hope this helps!
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