In my recent posts, we have been dealing with summer reading. As stated before, it is very important that the summer does not become a break from all things educational, especially reading! Not always, but typically, it is the young men who have trouble with sitting still long enough to read. However, if a parent is diligent in creating an atmosphere and interest for reading, then the task of instilling a love for reading in the most active of boys can be accomplished!
If you haven't read my last two posts, I encourage you to do so. It will help motivate you to motivate your children to read this summer. Even if you only have boys, take a minute to read the post entitled, Summer Reading List for Girls 3rd-6th Grade. I talk about labeling books according to age and gender.
So, here is a list of books for your young boys to enjoy this summer! Happy Reading!
The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary (She has many books young boys would enjoy. Check them out!)
Mr. Popper's Penguins by Richard and Florence Atwater
The Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth George Speare
Buffalo Knife by William O. Steele
Old Yeller by Fred Gipson
Black Stallion series by Walter Farley (Amazing and full of adventure!)
The Sugar Creek Gang mystery series by Paul Hutchens
Encyclopedia Brown by Donald J. Sobol
Stuart Little by E.B. White
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl
Big Red by Jim Kjelgaard
Ben and Me by Robert Lawson
When the Soldiers Were Gone by Vera Propp
Carry on, Mr. Bowditch by Jean Lee Latham
The Eddie series by Carolyn Haywood (These are more on the level of 3rd-4th grade boys. Great books!)
Homer Price by Robert McCloskey
The Hardy Boys mystery series by Franklin W. Dixon
Brighty of the Grand Canyon by Marguerite Henry (This authors books are good and should not be overlooked, but I personally feel they are best as read alouds.)
Childhood of Famous Americans biography series. (I love these!)
A Tree for Peter by Kate Seredy
Lone Hunter and the Cheyennes by Donald Worcester. (This book may be one you have to go online to find, but it is SO VERY worth it! )
Snow Treasure by Marie McSwigan
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Monday, May 14, 2012
Summer Reading List For Girls 3rd - 6th Grade
Along with my post about summer reading ideas, I thought it might be helpful if I gave you a list of books to encourage your child to read. This is in no way an all inclusive list. These authors have many more books that are great. I have broken my lists down by age and gender. The first one I have ready to publish is for 3rd-6th grade girls.
I have recently developed the opinion that I don't really love labeling books by age or gender. There are so many books that can be enjoyed by both girls and boys and by all different ages. For example, there is no reason why a boy could not enjoy When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit by Judith Kerr and why a high school girl could not enjoy this book. It is set during WWII and is about a girl and her brother who have to keep moving with their parents because they are Jews. The entire books is about how they stay one step ahead of the Nazis. It's an amazing book and I would hate for a boy to miss out on it because it is labeled for girls and I would be sad if a teenage girl did not read it because it is labeled 3rd - 6th grade.
I especially believe this is true for girls. While you probably don't want your young boys reading books about princesses, there is no reason why a girls could not read, My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George, or Black Stallion by Walter Farley, or The Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth George Speare. I read all of these as a young girl, high school girl, and adult and have loved them all! Don't limit your child's reading because the book may have an age or gender on it!
Also, 3rd-6th grade is a broad label. Some third graders have very high reading levels while some 6th graders may struggle with the same books. I have tried to give you a vast assortment of interest and reading levels. You, as the parent, should know your child's reading capabilities and interest. If a child is handed a book that is too hard or is not in the least bit interesting to them, they will not enjoy it. If you find one you think may be a bit above their reading level, try reading it aloud to them. Children have a higher understanding of what they hear than what they sometimes read on their own.
So, with that said, I am going to label these lists just for the sake of giving you a place to start, but please do not only stick to the label that applies specifically to your child(ren). They will miss out on some great books!
Here's the first list, 3rd-6th Grade Girls. I will get the others posted as quickly as possible for your summer reading enjoyment! Happy Reading!
I have recently developed the opinion that I don't really love labeling books by age or gender. There are so many books that can be enjoyed by both girls and boys and by all different ages. For example, there is no reason why a boy could not enjoy When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit by Judith Kerr and why a high school girl could not enjoy this book. It is set during WWII and is about a girl and her brother who have to keep moving with their parents because they are Jews. The entire books is about how they stay one step ahead of the Nazis. It's an amazing book and I would hate for a boy to miss out on it because it is labeled for girls and I would be sad if a teenage girl did not read it because it is labeled 3rd - 6th grade.
I especially believe this is true for girls. While you probably don't want your young boys reading books about princesses, there is no reason why a girls could not read, My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George, or Black Stallion by Walter Farley, or The Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth George Speare. I read all of these as a young girl, high school girl, and adult and have loved them all! Don't limit your child's reading because the book may have an age or gender on it!
Also, 3rd-6th grade is a broad label. Some third graders have very high reading levels while some 6th graders may struggle with the same books. I have tried to give you a vast assortment of interest and reading levels. You, as the parent, should know your child's reading capabilities and interest. If a child is handed a book that is too hard or is not in the least bit interesting to them, they will not enjoy it. If you find one you think may be a bit above their reading level, try reading it aloud to them. Children have a higher understanding of what they hear than what they sometimes read on their own.
So, with that said, I am going to label these lists just for the sake of giving you a place to start, but please do not only stick to the label that applies specifically to your child(ren). They will miss out on some great books!
Here's the first list, 3rd-6th Grade Girls. I will get the others posted as quickly as possible for your summer reading enjoyment! Happy Reading!
Summer Reading List
for Girls
3rd -6th Grade
Betsy-Tacy by Maud
Hart Lovelace
The Courage of Sarah Noble by Alice Dalgliesh
The Hundred Dresses by Eleanor Estes
The Strawberry Girl by Lois Lenski
The Little House on the Prarie series by Laura Ingalls
Wilder
When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit by Judith Kerr
The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
Mandie mystery series by Lois Gladys Leppard
Mandy by Julie Andrews
Ramona series by Beverly Cleary
Mrs. Piggle Wiggle by
Betty MacDonald
Gone Away Lake by Elizabeth Enright
Calico Bush by Rachel Field
The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare (Historical fiction placed during Salem Witch
Trial era, NOT witchcraft!)
The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
Rabbit Hill by Robert Lawson
Number the Stars by Lois Lowry
The Endless Steppe by Esther Hautzig
Roller Skates by Ruth Sawyer
A Tree for Peter by Kate Seredy
Miracles on Maple Hill by Virginia Sorensen
Appleseed Farm by Emily Douglas
The Family Under the Bridge by Natalie Savage Carlson
The Cabin Faced West by Jean Fritz
The Cabin Faced West by Jean Fritz
Summer Reading Tips
Summer is coming up quickly and soon school will be out and, if we aren't careful, books will be forgotten until September rolls around again! Here are just a few ideas to help you and your children enjoy reading together this summer!
1. Take your children to the public library on a consistent basis during the summer. Make sure they have their own library card, if they are old enough to handle it themselves, and provide them with opportunities to use their card. Most libraries have a summer reading program even for the little ones. Last summer, my three year old enjoyed the reading program at our library. For every 10 books I read to her, she got to pick a prize. It was usually some little prize she lost interest in after a day or two, but she gained the value of having read so many books. There was a huge increase in her interest of being read to when the summer reading program was over!
2. Take time, even just 10 minutes, every day possible to read to your children. Even the older kids will enjoy being read a book that is on their level. In previous posts, I've mentioned how reading aloud is an advertisement to our children for good books. Read to them and you will be amazed at how their interest in good books will grow. Pick a book you know they will enjoy.
3. Challenge your children to read a certain amount of books and reward them when they do. For younger readers, you could do a weekly challenge. When the goal is met then reward them with something simple such as ice cream, a trip to the park, their favorite fast food restaurant, etc. For the older kids, you could make it a monthly or the entire summer challenge and let them earn something they would really enjoy and you can afford!! :) Whatever amount of money, (reasonably), and time, (there's never too much), you invest in inspiring your children to read, will be worth the monetary or "time" sacrifice.
4. Make your children reading important to yourself. If it's not important to you that your children read this summer, then it's going to go by the wayside. The best of intentions are often forgotten because they were just that, intentions. There was not preparation, planning, or effort put behind those intentions. Summer gets very busy with vacations, zoo trips, little league, holidays, etc. Make reading one of the top priorities this summer for your family!
I hope you all have a wonderful summer and when September rolls around again I hope your family has added several new favorites to your book list!
Happy Reading!
1. Take your children to the public library on a consistent basis during the summer. Make sure they have their own library card, if they are old enough to handle it themselves, and provide them with opportunities to use their card. Most libraries have a summer reading program even for the little ones. Last summer, my three year old enjoyed the reading program at our library. For every 10 books I read to her, she got to pick a prize. It was usually some little prize she lost interest in after a day or two, but she gained the value of having read so many books. There was a huge increase in her interest of being read to when the summer reading program was over!
2. Take time, even just 10 minutes, every day possible to read to your children. Even the older kids will enjoy being read a book that is on their level. In previous posts, I've mentioned how reading aloud is an advertisement to our children for good books. Read to them and you will be amazed at how their interest in good books will grow. Pick a book you know they will enjoy.
3. Challenge your children to read a certain amount of books and reward them when they do. For younger readers, you could do a weekly challenge. When the goal is met then reward them with something simple such as ice cream, a trip to the park, their favorite fast food restaurant, etc. For the older kids, you could make it a monthly or the entire summer challenge and let them earn something they would really enjoy and you can afford!! :) Whatever amount of money, (reasonably), and time, (there's never too much), you invest in inspiring your children to read, will be worth the monetary or "time" sacrifice.
4. Make your children reading important to yourself. If it's not important to you that your children read this summer, then it's going to go by the wayside. The best of intentions are often forgotten because they were just that, intentions. There was not preparation, planning, or effort put behind those intentions. Summer gets very busy with vacations, zoo trips, little league, holidays, etc. Make reading one of the top priorities this summer for your family!
I hope you all have a wonderful summer and when September rolls around again I hope your family has added several new favorites to your book list!
Happy Reading!
Friday, March 2, 2012
Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss!!!
Years later, his publisher at Houghton Mifflin put together a list of 348 words he felt first graders should know. He gave the list to Dr. Seuss and using 236 of those words, he wrote The Cat in The Hat! Several of his most popular books are written in this format. He later admitted that these were some of the hardest books for him to write.
I love to find quotes from children's literature that relate to adult life and have a bit of wisdom to them. Many such quotes can be found in Dr. Seuss' books! I hope you enjoy Dr. Seuss as much as most of the world does and you take some time today to read one of his classics to the little people in your life! (Or you could just enjoy it for yourself!)
Happy Reading!
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
New, to me, Books!
I've been going through the book, How To Get Your Child To Love Reading, by Esme Raji Codell, and looking up all the books she recommends at our local library. Some of them have just been average books, nice to read, but not real stand-outs. However, quite a few of them have been excellent and quickly added to my favorites list. I am really enjoying this little project of mine and by the time I finish going through her book, I should have been able to add many more to my favorites list. Let me share four of my new discoveries with you!"Officer Buckle and Gloria," is about a policeman who goes into schools and gives a safety talk. However, until Gloria joins the act the children are completely bored. This funny tale of a lovable dog will have your kids laughing and enjoying Gloria's antics!
"Pantaloon," by Kathryn Jackson, is the story of a dog who desperately wants to work in a bakery for the sole purpose of being around all the treats. The baker sees through his scheme and throws him out. You and your child will enjoy reading how Pantaloon makes his wish come true!
"The Pink Party," by Maryann MacDonald, is the sweet story of two little friends who love all things pink. They love it so much that they get in to a competition to see who can have the most pink! Your little girls will enjoy the beautiful sparkly illustrations and the story of true friendship.
"A House is A House For Me," by Mary Ann Hoberman, is a book written in rhyme about all the many different kinds of houses there are in the world. It is an easy read because of it's rhyming cadence and it's bright, colorful, busy illustrations. It's a must read for young kids!
I hope you enjoy each of these books with your little ones. They all make great read-alouds!! The book, "How To Get Your Child To Love Reading," is a must read for every parent. If you are not familiar with children's books, it will definitely familiarize you with many great choices! Happy Reading!
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
The Value Tales
Well, it happened again!!! I found a great, super, awesome deal on some rare children's books at my favorite local thrift store!! With internet access, books aren't really rare anymore, they just cost more once you find them!
When I was in 3rd & 4th grade choir, our choir teacher read to us, The Value Tales, the last few minutes of practice. I, along with most of the other students, loved these books. Each book takes a true historical character and tells his/her life story while teaching a value. For example, Abraham Lincoln's story is The Value of Respect. Captain Cook's story is The Value of Boldness. Benjamin Franklin's story is The Value of Saving. Sacagawea is the value of Adventure. Each historical character has his/her own fictional character that goes along through the story with them. Kind of like a Jiminy Cricket type character! They are very well written and kids of all ages would love them. From what I can tell, there are 43 different Value Tale stories.
If you go on Amazon, you can find them used. Great investment for your children. In my local area, I have found several of them at thrift stores. I always buy them even if I already have it because I know someone does not have it and it's too good to just pass by! Today, I found four brand new ones, that I do not own, and only paid $.75 for all four together!! Whooo!!! Hooo!!!
I'm including a link to the books on Amazon so you can either purchase them for yourself from this link or elsewhere, or you can see what the books look like and keep your eye out for them when you are in your local thrift stores or antique stores.
Happy Reading!
http://www.amazon.com/Value-Saving-Benjamin-Franklin-Valuetales/dp/0916392171/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1328730850&sr=8-11
When I was in 3rd & 4th grade choir, our choir teacher read to us, The Value Tales, the last few minutes of practice. I, along with most of the other students, loved these books. Each book takes a true historical character and tells his/her life story while teaching a value. For example, Abraham Lincoln's story is The Value of Respect. Captain Cook's story is The Value of Boldness. Benjamin Franklin's story is The Value of Saving. Sacagawea is the value of Adventure. Each historical character has his/her own fictional character that goes along through the story with them. Kind of like a Jiminy Cricket type character! They are very well written and kids of all ages would love them. From what I can tell, there are 43 different Value Tale stories.
If you go on Amazon, you can find them used. Great investment for your children. In my local area, I have found several of them at thrift stores. I always buy them even if I already have it because I know someone does not have it and it's too good to just pass by! Today, I found four brand new ones, that I do not own, and only paid $.75 for all four together!! Whooo!!! Hooo!!!
I'm including a link to the books on Amazon so you can either purchase them for yourself from this link or elsewhere, or you can see what the books look like and keep your eye out for them when you are in your local thrift stores or antique stores.
http://www.amazon.com/Value-Saving-Benjamin-Franklin-Valuetales/dp/0916392171/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1328730850&sr=8-11
Monday, February 6, 2012
Good Friends and Good Books!
A Good Book IS a Good Friend, but how much sweeter it is when a good friend shares with you a good book! I was reunited with a classmate from K5- College years who, through facebook, introduced me to a new book and then kindly brought hers to my house so I could borrow it! How sweet it was to be reunited with my good friend, face to face, and to be introduced to such a great book! How to Get Your Child to Love Reading by Esme Raji Codell was the book she shared.
What an AMAZING book!! It isn't one of those books that some would find mundane! You know, the kind where it gives you all the statistics of why your child is going to fail if he/she does not read causing you to go into panic mode! Although most of those statistics are true and do have validity to them, they can be overwhelming. Rather, this book takes helping your child to love to read and makes it not only fun for the child, but also fun for the parent! If the parent is excited about it, then the child will be as well. I read the first chapter of this book and then went straight to my computer and bought my own copy off of Amazon.com for $10. (Including shipping!)
Codell not only teaches you how to interest your child, at any age level, how to love reading, but she suggests books along the way. The book is categorized in many different ways: age, reading level, subject, interests, etc. If you want a book on pizza, she has one! If you want a book about dogs, she has many! If you want a book that teaches A,B,C's, she has lots! Along the way, as you read her lists of different types of books, she teaches you how to use these books to encourage your child to learn to read.
It TRULY is an AMAZING book! Takes all the guess work out of what books are good for which age, reading level, etc. She has it all in this incredible encyclopedia of children's books! If you want to invest in your child's future, spend the $10 and get your own copy. I'm including a link to her book on Amazon. Check it out for yourself! If you buy it new from a dealer (not Amazon) or used, you can get a good price. You won't be sorry you did!
How grateful I am for good friends, good books, and the times the two go hand in hand! Happy Reading!
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1565123085/planetesme/002-6627230-1835253
What an AMAZING book!! It isn't one of those books that some would find mundane! You know, the kind where it gives you all the statistics of why your child is going to fail if he/she does not read causing you to go into panic mode! Although most of those statistics are true and do have validity to them, they can be overwhelming. Rather, this book takes helping your child to love to read and makes it not only fun for the child, but also fun for the parent! If the parent is excited about it, then the child will be as well. I read the first chapter of this book and then went straight to my computer and bought my own copy off of Amazon.com for $10. (Including shipping!)
Codell not only teaches you how to interest your child, at any age level, how to love reading, but she suggests books along the way. The book is categorized in many different ways: age, reading level, subject, interests, etc. If you want a book on pizza, she has one! If you want a book about dogs, she has many! If you want a book that teaches A,B,C's, she has lots! Along the way, as you read her lists of different types of books, she teaches you how to use these books to encourage your child to learn to read.
It TRULY is an AMAZING book! Takes all the guess work out of what books are good for which age, reading level, etc. She has it all in this incredible encyclopedia of children's books! If you want to invest in your child's future, spend the $10 and get your own copy. I'm including a link to her book on Amazon. Check it out for yourself! If you buy it new from a dealer (not Amazon) or used, you can get a good price. You won't be sorry you did!
How grateful I am for good friends, good books, and the times the two go hand in hand! Happy Reading!
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1565123085/planetesme/002-6627230-1835253
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