Choosing Books for Your School-Age Reader
Select the best reads for kindergartners, elementary- and middle-schoolers
Do you remember the first time you hid a flashlight under the covers because you had to find out how a story ended? Providing great books for your child will not only help him become passionate about reading, but will promote school success by developing vocabulary, writing, comprehension, and study skills.
Choosing Books for Kindergartners
Buying BasicsKindergartners who are just starting to sound out and recognize words need all the encouragement they can get. Provide a variety of picture books, some simple enough for your child to begin to read alone as well as others that require your assistance.
Look for:
§ Picture books with entertaining plots
§ Books that relate to your child's experiences
§ Classic fairy tales and animal stories
Favorite Subjects:Animals Creativity Friendship
Favorite Characters:Dr. Seuss Franklin I SPY The Magic School Bus
Developmental EdgeBy reading with your kindergartner, you're helping her to:
§ Improve vocabulary
§ Strengthen letter and word recognition
Extending the FunStage a puppet show based on a favorite book. You and your child can share storytelling and puppeteering duties and put on a performance for the entire family.
Choosing Books for Grades 1-3 (Ages 6-8)
Buying BasicsThe key to selecting books for an emerging reader is to provide titles that will challenge him without causing too much frustration. Experts suggest that the ideal book will present your child with two to four unfamiliar words per page.
Look for:
§ Read-alouds that offer appealing storylines and illustrations
§ Simple chapter books
§ A mix of fiction and nonfiction
Favorite Subjects:Building & Construction Animals Creativity Travel
Favorite Characters:Captain Underpants The Magic School Bus Pokémon
Developmental EdgeBy reading with and also encouraging your 6- to 8-year-old child to read, you're helping her to:
§ Focus and concentrate
§ Enhance comprehension skills
§ Explore newfound interests
Extending the FunEncourage your child to think of books as entertainment by renting a movie version of a treasured tale, or going to see a live performance starring a favorite character.
Choosing Books for Grades 4-7 (Ages 9-12)
Buying BasicsAs readers mature, they look for books that are less about their own experiences and more about their fantasies. As a general rule, when looking for realistic fiction, choose stories starring children a year or two older than your child. Let your child's interests guide you, and be creative in your selections.
Look for:
§ Classic novels
§ Lighter series books
§ Books that explore social struggles and general adolescent angst
Favorite Subjects:Culture & Diversity Fantasy & Magic
Favorite Characters:Dear America
Deltora
Harry Potter
Developmental EdgeBy encouraging your 9- to 12-year-old child to read, you're helping her to:
§ Develop study skills
§ Discover a world outside of her own
Extending the FunConsider joining a book club with your child. Familiarize yourself with the books he is reading, and then be sure to discuss them.
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Monday, October 17, 2011
Professional Development
Here's a picture of Mrs. Grieme and Mrs. Pickhinke at Handwriting Without Tears with the presenters: Megan Brown and Jan Z. Olsen. They learned a ton of new tricks for teaching handwriting, language and math skill to preschool age kids.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Jump...jump...jump...
The Event: Miss Willer gathered all elementary students to do jumping jacks for one minute.
Why: To be healthier and to break the guiness world record. Read our previous blog on jumping jacks and Michelle Obama.
Set Limits and Good Example for Children's TV Viewing
Recent research shows that children between the ages of two and five years watch, on average, more than 25 hours of television per week, says Lori Hayungs, an Iowa State University Extension family life program specialist.
By the time American children graduate from high school, they have spent more time in front of the TV than in the classroom. That is a powerful influence on kids.
What’s Wrong and Right with TV
Too much time watching TV means too little time spent on active play, reading and socializing—activities essential to a child’s development. In fact, the sedentary nature of television has been linked to childhood obesity.
“On the flip side, quality TV shows can introduce children to positive messages, such as caring for others, and can be educational by taking them to places they have never seen before”, Hayungs said.
For more of this article click below:
http://www.extension.iastate.edu/plymouth/news/tvlimits.htm
By the time American children graduate from high school, they have spent more time in front of the TV than in the classroom. That is a powerful influence on kids.
What’s Wrong and Right with TV
Too much time watching TV means too little time spent on active play, reading and socializing—activities essential to a child’s development. In fact, the sedentary nature of television has been linked to childhood obesity.
“On the flip side, quality TV shows can introduce children to positive messages, such as caring for others, and can be educational by taking them to places they have never seen before”, Hayungs said.
For more of this article click below:
http://www.extension.iastate.edu/plymouth/news/tvlimits.htm
Friday, October 7, 2011
Love and Logic Class offered
A great class is being offered near us for parenting. Check it out!
http://www.schaller-crest.k12.ia.us/graphics/Elementary/Love%20and%20Logic%20Class%20flyer%20for%202011%202012%20class.jpg
http://www.schaller-crest.k12.ia.us/graphics/Elementary/Love%20and%20Logic%20Class%20flyer%20for%202011%202012%20class.jpg
Jump...jump...jump
About Let's Jump!
Let's Jump! is the National Geographic Kids movement to get kids outdoors and live an active, healthy life. Take some hints from our list of active facts and keep checking back to get ideas to help explore and enjoy the world through adventures and sports. Between 3 p.m. ET October 11, 2011, and 3 p.m. ET October 12, 2011, join NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC KIDS and First Lady Michelle Obama to break the record for the most people doing jumping jacks. All you have to do is one minute of jumping jacks!We need more than 20,000 people to do jumping jacks to break the record. So get your friends, sports teams, afterschool groups--even your entire school--to participate!Exercise can be fun--especially if you're breaking a Guinness World Record. Join First Lady Michelle Obama--the official Jumper in Chief--as she kicks off NGK's attempt to break the record for the Most People Doing Jumping Jacks. Kids and adults can help break the record by doing one minute of jumping jacks. So start practicing now! Read the rules and find out how you can participate.So get out and get active. And if you can't get outside right now, turn on your favorite music and practice your jumping jacks!
http://kidsblogs.nationalgeographic.com/letsjump/about-lets-jump.html
Let's Jump! is the National Geographic Kids movement to get kids outdoors and live an active, healthy life. Take some hints from our list of active facts and keep checking back to get ideas to help explore and enjoy the world through adventures and sports. Between 3 p.m. ET October 11, 2011, and 3 p.m. ET October 12, 2011, join NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC KIDS and First Lady Michelle Obama to break the record for the most people doing jumping jacks. All you have to do is one minute of jumping jacks!We need more than 20,000 people to do jumping jacks to break the record. So get your friends, sports teams, afterschool groups--even your entire school--to participate!Exercise can be fun--especially if you're breaking a Guinness World Record. Join First Lady Michelle Obama--the official Jumper in Chief--as she kicks off NGK's attempt to break the record for the Most People Doing Jumping Jacks. Kids and adults can help break the record by doing one minute of jumping jacks. So start practicing now! Read the rules and find out how you can participate.So get out and get active. And if you can't get outside right now, turn on your favorite music and practice your jumping jacks!
http://kidsblogs.nationalgeographic.com/letsjump/about-lets-jump.html
Whats going on in the library
Since the beginning of the school year the T.K., Kindergarten, and first grade have listened to the following stories. "Otis and the Tornado," "Sammy the Seal" and "Frog and Toad Together," The students made frog hats and learned the differences between a frog and a toad. This was a favorite activity with the classes. The second grade class is learning about the Dewey Decimal system and how to use it to locate nonfiction books.
The third grade class has been learning about how to use an encyclopedia both print and online. The students are excited to use the computer. Fourth and fifth grade classes have been studying nonfiction text factors to help them better use their sources of information.
The third grade class has been learning about how to use an encyclopedia both print and online. The students are excited to use the computer. Fourth and fifth grade classes have been studying nonfiction text factors to help them better use their sources of information.
Reading Plus for 4th and 5th graders--WAHOO!
In Mrs. Bellcocks class, eighteen students have green session bars indicating they are on schedule. This is great use to start off the year! In addition, comprehension has been solid and consistent with students averaging a class comprehension score of 78% over the past 7 days. Also, it looks like students have read 402,024 word since working on the program! This is great!
In Mrs. Mentzers, seventeen students have green and yellow session bars and the class is right on track. Again, it is so good to see such great use in this and all of the classes to start off the year. In addition, comprehension for the class is strong with students averaging a score of 81% over the past 7 days. Excellent. Students in Mentzer have also read 365,632 words since working on the program.
Hats off to these fine students and their teachers for the progress they are making.
In Mrs. Mentzers, seventeen students have green and yellow session bars and the class is right on track. Again, it is so good to see such great use in this and all of the classes to start off the year. In addition, comprehension for the class is strong with students averaging a score of 81% over the past 7 days. Excellent. Students in Mentzer have also read 365,632 words since working on the program.
Hats off to these fine students and their teachers for the progress they are making.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Start Somewhere Walk
By now I'm sure all of you have heard about the Start Somewhere Walk that is taking place around the state of Iowa this Friday. Right now Iowa ranks #19 among other states with its obesity level. It is the goal by the year 2016 to be the Healthiest state in the nation. Gov. Branstad has asked every Iowan to walk at least 1 kilometer or .67 of a mile at noon on Friday, October 7th.
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