Before I forget, I want to share something that E's teacher was raving about yesterday.
I was discussing my schedule change with her so that I can reg. aux., and move my volunteer day from Monday to Thursday, and she got excited because she wants me to have a reading session with the kids and do activities out of the Cricket magazines. When I asked her what she was talking about, she had to pull them all out for me to see.
Cricket mag has 4 different levels of children's magazines with all kinds of short stories, poems, songs, and activities for them to do. She said they are the best she has ever found. And the awesomest part is that the short stories they use are the exact stories they will find on the EOG's. They pull them straight from these mags, which I think is awesome that you could actually go over these with your kids before they have their EOG's and they may actually be a bit more prepared. Now of course, not every story will be on the test, so you wont know for sure, but still, it's a start.
Now, the only kids magazine that I was even familiar with was Highlights and these Cricket Mags highly surpassed them and there is no advertising in them, which is nice.
So the 4 different levels are:
BABYBUG: for ages 6 mo to 3 years and they are board book magazines
LADYBUG: for ages 3-6
SPIDER: for ages 6-9
CRICKET: for ages 9-14
Each magazine is geared towards a different level of reading, which is great for when you are looking for something level appropriate.
His teacher likes the ladybug and spider mags for first grade. You can find these at cricketmag.com OR they are available to check out at the library for free. {I like that word}. But I think I might at least look into ordering them because how fun would it be for the kids to get their own magazines in the mail?!
I just checked their website and they have even more magazines like age appropriate science mags that his teacher likes to use as well.
Showing posts with label What We're Reading. Show all posts
Showing posts with label What We're Reading. Show all posts
Friday, April 13, 2012
Monday, February 27, 2012
What we're reading
I haven't done a "what we're reading" post in a long while, so I thought...why not now, when I'm supposed to run out the door in 10 minutes and I'm still in my pj's??? Perfect timing as usual ;)
So my sweet 6 year old boy is reading CHAPTER BOOKS!! All by himself and I cannot tell you how thrilled he is, or how excited I am for where he is now. Reading chapter books has been his goal for about 2 years now, and he's really rocking it! The last year and a half at school, I have been working with him on his reading, and he has just made my heart overflow with pride. It's amazing to watch your kids leap and grow and progress. It's amazing how fast they can change. So back in December when his 3 week break started, we started reading like 2 hours a day {It wasn't a set goal but we just sat and read to each other and hours later we realized what we did, it was awesome. cuddling, reading, laughing, reading, I LOVE his LOVE for reading!!}, so when he went back to school, his reading level went from a G to who knows what letter awesome. I can't wait till his teacher conference in 2 weeks so she can tell me the official level. But he went from reading a page with maybe 2 sentences to chapter books, so that should say something. When he went back to school in January his teacher said "WOW! I am shocked and thrilled at how quickly his reading has progressed!" {She also added that I am super awesome at helping him all the time} Plus we read the Bible all the time, so he can read and understand really large words, I LOVED that when I was younger. The meetings and Bible Reading made me excel in reading and spelling. BooYah! His other goal is to get on the School and read the Bible. Awesome :)
Ok, so this isn't quite the long chapter books, but these have been some of his favorites for 6 or so months. I found a few for sale at the library a few months ago and had to pick them up for E. Now that he can read them all by himself, he's thrilled. They are silly and gross and everything a boy loves....
Captain Underpants books! He's currently reading Captain Underpants and the attack of the talking toilets By Dav Pilkey. If you have a boy, I'm sure he'll love these. They have a part chapter book part comic book thing going on.
So my sweet 6 year old boy is reading CHAPTER BOOKS!! All by himself and I cannot tell you how thrilled he is, or how excited I am for where he is now. Reading chapter books has been his goal for about 2 years now, and he's really rocking it! The last year and a half at school, I have been working with him on his reading, and he has just made my heart overflow with pride. It's amazing to watch your kids leap and grow and progress. It's amazing how fast they can change. So back in December when his 3 week break started, we started reading like 2 hours a day {It wasn't a set goal but we just sat and read to each other and hours later we realized what we did, it was awesome. cuddling, reading, laughing, reading, I LOVE his LOVE for reading!!}, so when he went back to school, his reading level went from a G to who knows what letter awesome. I can't wait till his teacher conference in 2 weeks so she can tell me the official level. But he went from reading a page with maybe 2 sentences to chapter books, so that should say something. When he went back to school in January his teacher said "WOW! I am shocked and thrilled at how quickly his reading has progressed!" {She also added that I am super awesome at helping him all the time} Plus we read the Bible all the time, so he can read and understand really large words, I LOVED that when I was younger. The meetings and Bible Reading made me excel in reading and spelling. BooYah! His other goal is to get on the School and read the Bible. Awesome :)
Ok, so this isn't quite the long chapter books, but these have been some of his favorites for 6 or so months. I found a few for sale at the library a few months ago and had to pick them up for E. Now that he can read them all by himself, he's thrilled. They are silly and gross and everything a boy loves....
Captain Underpants books! He's currently reading Captain Underpants and the attack of the talking toilets By Dav Pilkey. If you have a boy, I'm sure he'll love these. They have a part chapter book part comic book thing going on.
A few weeks ago, Nani lent me her copy of Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier and told me I HAD to read it. So I did, and I LOVED it! I couldn't put it down. I can't wait to watch the movieS (yes, there are more than one, SQUEAL, even better, one's by Hitchcock!) and compare and contrast and all that stuff that I love doing!
So that's what we're reading, definitely check 'em out!
Now I'm late for a very important date!
{Library and Creative Writing in E's class, that's our Mondays}
Ciao Bella!
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
What we're reading
Elephant and Piggie books by Mo Willems
Mo Willems has a knack for writing children's books that they enjoy reading.
Ethylwolfe has checked out almost all of these books from the library and loves reading them over and over.
Mo uses repetition, inflection, words, and situations that children can understand and think are hilarious.
We always giggle together when we read about the adventures of Gerald and Piggie. Best friends.
They are different, have fun, learn lessons of friendship, and are silly.
If you have an early reader, they will love reading these by themselves, and if they are younger, well, they will love listening to you read it to them.
If you haven't read Elephant and Piggie books, then definitely do so!
Thursday, November 10, 2011
What We're Reading...
Dude: Fun with Dude and Betty
By Lisa Pliscou
Illustrated by Tom Dunne
So a few weeks ago, when I accompanied Ethylwolfe on his trip to the book store,
a parent chose this book to read to the class. It was totally rad.
He even spoke with the true tone of Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure.
To describe it, I guess I'd say it's a totally non-bogus,
surfer version of a Dick and Jane book.
It's for beginning readers too!
Everyone: the kids, teachers, parents enjoyed this book.
I was cracking up from the front cover to the end.
The awesomest thing about it?
E's art teacher's Husband illustrated the book.
Way Cool!
So I wanted to buy the book that day, but left my wallet at the school when we went. Then we were camping, and then robbed and just busy and I totally forgot to get the book.
I couldn't find it on my search at the library, but it just came out a few months ago, so no surprise there.
I do recommend that you get your hands on a copy, It's Righteous!
It'll be one of those stories you want to read every day, trust me!
Oh! and at the end, there's a glossary for surf speak!
Sunday, November 6, 2011
What We're Reading...
The Mouse and the Motorcycle
By Beverly Cleary
Last year I read 'The Mouse and the Motorcycle' to Ethylwolfe.
It was the first chapter book that he really got into.
He was so concerned about the mouse and that awesome motorcycle.
There were tons and tons of questions.
Lots of anticipation.
and almost every night, he begged "Please, just one more chapter!"
He loved the book and so did I.
Beverly Cleary wrote other mouse adventures.
We haven't read them yet, but I look forward to doing just that with him soon.
happy reading!
Thursday, November 3, 2011
What We're Reading...
What we're reading...
Buzz boy and fly guy books
by Tedd Arnold
If you've got a child, especially a son,
that is an early reader, beginner reader, looking for fun stories to read,
Between the ages of 4 and 7
He'll LOVE these books!
They have gross stuff, silly stuff, boy stuff in them
They are in the style of beginner comic book, and were the first of the 'longer' books
that my son read all on his own.
Buzz boy and his pet fly guy are super heroes
that go on many fun adventures
Ted Arnold has lots of children's books out there
I recommend any of them, but especially these.
My daughter likes them too, but especially the boy
check 'em out!
**Oh and in case you are wondering, they are teacher approved
She says that it is difficult to find good early reader books for boys and she LOVES this series for them!
Saturday, October 29, 2011
What we're reading...
So I've decided to try and do a weekly book post.
It will mainly be about the books that I'm reading or have read with the kids.
Hopefully it'll give you ideas on what's good out there, and HOPEFULLY you'll throw suggestions back my way. I'm always looking for something else to read with the kids. We go through an upwards of 30 library books a week, and I'm running out of ideas to check out.
First up for this week are the little house books by Laura Ingalls Wilder.
I've been reading her books to the kids every night for months now.
So this is an overview of all that we have read so far.
First is Little House in the Big Woods.
Ethylwolfe really loves chapter books and he really loved this one.
KennaKat didn't start out too interested but even when she was playing with her doll pretending not to pay attention, if anything happened to Laura or Mary, she was quick to be concerned and show interest.
Book two, Little House on the Prairie.
Again, loved it. The details of what it was like being a pioneer family almost makes me want to build a place in the woods and live off the labor of my own hands..Almost. E noted "They sure are hard workers. They never have time to play." More exciting things happen and the kids were very interested about what was going on. Poor E was on the edge of his seat many times. And they met Indians, how cool is that!
Book three, Farmer Boy.
At first, E was upset because this book is about Almanzo, Laura's husband as an 8 year old boy. He wanted to know what happened to Laura and was mad that she wasn't going to be in this book. But Almanzo quickly earned our love. By the end, E loved the story and was sad for it to be over, KennaKat too. This was one of my favs so far.
Book Four, On the banks of Plum Creek.
This book is full of disasters for the poor Ingalls family. It was one thing after another for the family. But there was still fun and adventure. E enjoyed this story also. Laura was always getting into something and having fun. KennaKat's interest really raised once we got into this book. Almost every night she sat and listened instead of messing with something else while I read. She was constantly worried about the family.
Book Five, By the Shores of Silver Lake.
We are on chapter 6 of this book. My sore throat and loss of voice lately has slowed down my reading this week to only one or two chapters a night. Hopefully I'll be over this cold soon, and we can pick up the pace. The story starts out dim as the family prepares to move for the umpteenth time. They are further outwest and the girls are older. Laura is 12 now. I'm not sure how interested the kids will be with the rest of the books as they can't relate much, but I plan to finish the series anyways. We can always read them again in a few years.
Did you read Laura Ingalls Wilder's books when you were a little girl? If not, you should read them. They are interesting and insightful. I enjoy them now as much as I enjoyed them as a child. There are some parts that you may have to skim over, for instance all of the Christmas Celebrations in every book or some of the bits about the Indians. I generally just changed the words around and omitted certain phrases and songs and kept going. The kids hardly noticed. But other than that, they are good clean books to read to the kiddos, which is always hard to find. Also, Ethylwolfe was concerned about the family going to church in On the Banks of Plum Creek. But I explained to him that this was before Kingdom Halls existed, and they didn't know about Jehovah, but they were still good people and they were doing the best they could to stay that way. So he was ok with it. :) At the end of each reading session, I'm left with E begging me to read 'Just One More Chapter' so I'd say it's a good sign that your kids will love them too :)
What books have you enjoyed reading to your kids lately?
It will mainly be about the books that I'm reading or have read with the kids.
Hopefully it'll give you ideas on what's good out there, and HOPEFULLY you'll throw suggestions back my way. I'm always looking for something else to read with the kids. We go through an upwards of 30 library books a week, and I'm running out of ideas to check out.
First up for this week are the little house books by Laura Ingalls Wilder.
I've been reading her books to the kids every night for months now.
So this is an overview of all that we have read so far.
First is Little House in the Big Woods.
Ethylwolfe really loves chapter books and he really loved this one.
KennaKat didn't start out too interested but even when she was playing with her doll pretending not to pay attention, if anything happened to Laura or Mary, she was quick to be concerned and show interest.
Book two, Little House on the Prairie.
Again, loved it. The details of what it was like being a pioneer family almost makes me want to build a place in the woods and live off the labor of my own hands..Almost. E noted "They sure are hard workers. They never have time to play." More exciting things happen and the kids were very interested about what was going on. Poor E was on the edge of his seat many times. And they met Indians, how cool is that!
Book three, Farmer Boy.
At first, E was upset because this book is about Almanzo, Laura's husband as an 8 year old boy. He wanted to know what happened to Laura and was mad that she wasn't going to be in this book. But Almanzo quickly earned our love. By the end, E loved the story and was sad for it to be over, KennaKat too. This was one of my favs so far.
Book Four, On the banks of Plum Creek.
This book is full of disasters for the poor Ingalls family. It was one thing after another for the family. But there was still fun and adventure. E enjoyed this story also. Laura was always getting into something and having fun. KennaKat's interest really raised once we got into this book. Almost every night she sat and listened instead of messing with something else while I read. She was constantly worried about the family.
Book Five, By the Shores of Silver Lake.
We are on chapter 6 of this book. My sore throat and loss of voice lately has slowed down my reading this week to only one or two chapters a night. Hopefully I'll be over this cold soon, and we can pick up the pace. The story starts out dim as the family prepares to move for the umpteenth time. They are further outwest and the girls are older. Laura is 12 now. I'm not sure how interested the kids will be with the rest of the books as they can't relate much, but I plan to finish the series anyways. We can always read them again in a few years.
Did you read Laura Ingalls Wilder's books when you were a little girl? If not, you should read them. They are interesting and insightful. I enjoy them now as much as I enjoyed them as a child. There are some parts that you may have to skim over, for instance all of the Christmas Celebrations in every book or some of the bits about the Indians. I generally just changed the words around and omitted certain phrases and songs and kept going. The kids hardly noticed. But other than that, they are good clean books to read to the kiddos, which is always hard to find. Also, Ethylwolfe was concerned about the family going to church in On the Banks of Plum Creek. But I explained to him that this was before Kingdom Halls existed, and they didn't know about Jehovah, but they were still good people and they were doing the best they could to stay that way. So he was ok with it. :) At the end of each reading session, I'm left with E begging me to read 'Just One More Chapter' so I'd say it's a good sign that your kids will love them too :)
What books have you enjoyed reading to your kids lately?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)