A little background on 'Shared Reading'

Okay, it's been awhile since I blogged about anything. I think my brain needed a break after writing my Thesis. While I am in love with my paper and loved the process, it was hard work. Since finishing my Masters Degree I have been antsy to get back into writing and missing my classwork (yes, it's true!). So, I am hoping to get back to blogging as my creative and intellectual outlet.

I hope to get back in the swing of things again by writing a group of posts on 'Shared Reading': what it is, why it is important, etc.
So here goes-
What exactly is shared reading?? Let me begin by telling you what I define as shared reading (so you can understand my context). When I discuss shared reading in this post I am referring to shared parent-child reading. Some may call it 'lap reading'. Either way, it is a time when a parent or caregiver can sit down with a child and engage in reading a book together.

Shared reading also has it's place in the classroom. During shared reading at school your child may read a big-book along with the class, may choral read (everyone reads all together), echo read (one reader echos the other), whisper read (one reader reads out loud while the other whispers), or fill-in-the-gap read (the reader stops and has other readers fill in words). It could also mean taking turns reading text. All of these techniques are meant to model and resemble 'lap reading'. 

If teachers are modeling this type of reading, making it possible (in some form) in the classroom and extending it throughout the elementary years than there must be something to shared reading, right?!?

Well...there is!

Shared reading is great for many reasons. Here are a few:

• The act of shared reading helps to create a healthy attachment and security with the caregiver or parent
• During shared reading adults model reading skills to children (skills such as: fluency (how 'fluid' you sound when you read), intonation, re-reading, tracking print from left to right)
• Shared reading helps children learn that reading is something that you can do with other people
• Shared reading is an enjoyable experience, helping children to have a positive feeling towards reading
• Children hear lots of language during shared reading which will in turn help them learn the language and then read it later
• Shared reading is something you can do with children of all ages (they don't necessarily have to sit in your lap!) With older children try reading a chapter book, magazine, or poetry together.
• Shared reading can help struggling readers become more confident in themselves as readers

This is just an introduction to the topic, which I hope to expand upon in future posts.
Now I've given you plenty of reasons to read at home with your little (or not-so-little) ones!!!

Next to come...
Ideal books for shared reading
Techniques for shared reading
Personal stories of shared reading experiences
...and more!!!

Earth Day Read-Alouds

This Thursday, April 22nd is Earth Day. How about some great children's books to help you celebrate our beautiful Earth! Not only can you read these books on Earth Day, but they can help you to build awareness with your children all year round!

We Planted a Tree

This book is written with engaging, almost musical text which makes it great for read-alouds. The illustrations are cartoon-like which makes them fun and different for kids to explore. While reading this book you will go on a trip around the world while learning about why trees are so important!

10 Things I Can Do to Help My World

This book is written on 100% recycled paper (naturally!) and gives kids ideas of practical things they can do to help the world (saving energy by turning appliances off, using both sides of the paper when writing, etc.). This book helps to jump start conversations with your kids and gets them thinking about what they use. 

Compost Stew

As if the title isn't creative enough?!  This book is written with rhyming text which is fun for children to listen to, and the best part- they'll learn a little about composting while listening! If you or your children are interested in composting this book is a fun way to get started on the project together.

My Garden

The author, Kevin Henkes (Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse, Chrysanthemum) writes great children's books! Here is a book about the garden a little girl imagines...one with jelly bean bushes and chocolate rabbits. Read this book and while you are gardening together, you can also imagine together!

Wiggling Worms at Work

The 'Let's Read and Find Out Science' books are great non-fiction resources. This book is all about Earthworms and their job of keeping our soil healthy. Earthworms are hard workers! The illustrations are great, although I would pair this book with one that contains actual photographs. 

Such as...Earthworms

This is another great non-fiction book, however this one includes actual photographs of Earthworms! Boys will especially LOVE this book! Watch out, because soon you will have your little one digging for worms-and proudly bringing them to you for a closer look!

Happy Reading, and Happy Earth Day!

**Check out these Websites for more information about Earth Day: http://www.epa.gov/earthday/
                                                                                                     http://pbskids.org/games/earthday.html

The power of reading...

A friend of mine sent me a link to this article that was published in the New York Times. It truly explains the power of reading, and how reading with your children can build lasting memories.

Click on the link below to read the article...
A Father-Daughter Bond, Page by Page by Michael Winerip (March 18, 2010)


Hopefully this is inspiring!!

Spring is near!!

We can finally spend some time outside!! We have already been to the zoo, the park, and taken a few walks. Can you tell G and I have a major case of cabin fever?!?

I am very excited to check out a new book by my favorite author/illustrator- Jan Brett.

The Easter Egg is a story about a bunny named Hoppi (naturally!) and his quest to create the best Easter Egg. If he can win he will be lucky enough to help the Easter Bunny deliver all the eggs.This proves harder than he thought and Hoppi becomes discouraged as he compares his ideas to others. Just then he begins to learn a lesson about believing in yourself.
 As usual her illustrations are beautiful, with details that will wow you. (And I just want to squeeze that adorable bunny!)
Go check out The Easter Egg, and while you're at it pick up another of Jan Brett's books!!

Read Across America

Read Across America is a project of the NEA (National Education Association). The purpose of this project is to promote reading and motivation in children across the country. Every year one day is set aside as a special day to celebrate reading in Read Across America Day.
This year's Read Across America Day is Tuesday, March 2nd. This date coincides with the the birthday of acclaimed children's book author, Dr. Seuss!! Because of his devotion to write stories that would engage and excite young readers the annual Read Across America Day honors Dr. Seuss (a.k.a.: Theodor Seuss Geisel)

On March 2nd pledge to celebrate reading with your child in a special way. Maybe you will read a variety of Dr. Seuss books together in honor of the day, visit a local bookstore to get some new titles, or create your own 'Cat in the Hat' striped hat!
Here are some links with a few ideas for how you and your family can celebrate:

The Dr. Seuss Official Site: http://www.seussville.com/
 Reading Rockets: http://www.readingrockets.org/


Bartholemew and the Oobleck: After reading reading the book, find a lesson here to make your own oobleck! (Thanks to Kinderteacher- this site is great!!)


I could go on and on about why I love Dr. Seuss books! They are great for young readers for so many reasons. First, being able to hear and identify rhyme is an important pre-reading skill. Secondly, they are fun! Dr. Seuss truly plays with words and shows off the wonder of language. Here are just SOME of my favorite Seuss books for little readers!!

 One fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish

    Green eggs and ham

   The foot book

    The Cat in the Hat

    Hop on Pop






However you decide to celebrate, make sure to spend some extra time reading with your child on March 2nd!!!
Happy Reading!

Books for your little love bug!

 Well, it seems as though we are going to be snowed in again today! We have been busy making Valentines for family members which has left Miss G with bright pink fingers. So much for washable ink!
I wanted to share a couple of my favorite Valentine's Day books. There are tons-but for the sake of having somewhere to start and not becoming totally engrossed with blogging when I should be momming, I am going to share just a few!

The Valentine Bears
(Ages 4-8) This book is a classic! So classic in fact that it was one of my husband's favorites when he was younger. This book is a great read-aloud. (And, the illustrator- Jan Brett- is one of my favorite children's book author/illustrators of all time!)



How Do I Love You?
(Ages 4-8) This book has rhyming text, which G seems to prefer. This was the book I bought her for her first Valentine's day last year. This book is a great read-aloud and I really enjoy the illustrations.This book is simple enough for young children to be able to memorize and 'read' on their own.



I Love You Through and Through
(Ages 4-8) This book is very similar to How Do I Love You?, but the main character is a little boy. This book is written with rhyming text as well, which makes it a great read-aloud and predictable for little listeners.





Fancy Nancy Heart to Heart
(Ages 4-8) I absolutely love anything Fancy Nancy! Usually I am not a fan of books that also have stickers or other extraneous (that's another word for 'extra') things- but Fancy Nancy is too fabulous to pass up! This is one in a series of books about an adorable, authentic little girl. They are all great read-alouds with 'fancy' words and bright illustrations.




Valentine's Day Is...
(Ages 4-8) Gail Gibbons writes mostly non-fiction books on a variety of topics. This one in particular goes into the history of Valentine's Day. It is a bit wordy for a read-aloud with young children, but is engaging for school-aged kids. When I need a non-fiction book that is written in story form  Gail Gibbons is my go-to author.




Where is Baby's Valentine?
(Baby-Preschool) Karen Katz writes great books for infants and toddlers. Most of her books are interactive- this one is a lift the flap book. The illustrations are interesting for little ones, but not over-stimulating. If you have a toddler, build a library of Karen Katz books!


How Do Dinosaurs Say I Love You?
(Ages 4-8) Miss G absolutely loves the 'How do Dinosaurs...' books! They are written with rhyming text and Mark Teague's illustrations are simple and engaging- even for little ones. These books also usually teach a lesson on good manners, too. Bonus!!




**Have you noticed that most of these books are recommended ages 4-8? That is pretty much the standard for all paperback picture books. Most paperbacks are appropriate for read-alouds, just check the amount of text on each page. If there is too much, it won't hold your young child's interest. (Looking at the font size is a good, quick indicator!)

So, it is virtually impossible for me to stop there- but I am going to have to. I could go on and on!! I hope you enjoy these ideas for your little valentine. Consider buying a book (preferably from a small independent bookstore) for your child this year to show how much you love them!!!

Tips for reading aloud to your children

Children are never too young (or old for that matter) to be read to. Reading aloud to your children helps them to develop the language and literacy skills that they will use throughout life. Reading aloud is more than just reading the book. Make it an experience! Here are some tips to help you 'jazz up' your reading time-

• Read with expression. Don't be afraid to sound silly, it's for the kids after all!
• Talk with your child about the book. Point out the illustrations, talk about what the character looks like, etc. You don't have to do it on EVERY page, but share some of the things you see and think when reading the story.
• Young children are learning the difference between the text and the illustrations. Run your finger under the words as you read them. (This will also help them learn to track the print from left to right...an important pre-reading skill!)
• Take your time. Your little one may have a lot of questions, or a lot to say about the book. Remember that it is more about the reading experience than just sticking to the words on the page.
• For older children, act out the book. Ask them to be a part of the reading by guessing what is next, describing the illustrations, reading part of the text, or finding words in the story. Make it a conversation.
• Read a variety of books. Mix it up by reading old favorites and new ones. You can really read anything, because language is all around us. Some 'unconventional' ideas: magazines, menus, cereal boxes, catalogs, newspapers. Help your child realize that print is everywhere!
• Be flexible. Children need time to get used to and appreciate reading aloud together, especially if it is a new routine. If they don't like the book you are reading, or aren't attending to it, switch it up and try a new one.
• Don't force them to sit and listen. Make reading a positive experience. Try it again at another time, try another book, or another day. Maybe your child would prefer to sit on the floor and read together, or would rather be cuddled with you in a chair. Give them ownership of the experience by asking their opinion. This way it is really something you do together.

Spark a love of books by reading aloud to your children. Making time to read together will give you memories that can truly be treasured for years to come.

Making time to read

It's something we all want more of, in fact it's something we can't get enough of- time. There are so many things packed into each day, how can we possibly get them all done?
My challenge to you is to MAKE time to read with your child(ren). Make it a priority. Make sure it happens. Notice I didn't say 'find' time to read. The time is there-it's not that you have to find it...all of us often get caught up in what is going on around us and fill that time with other things. (Trust me, the lover of reading books with my daughter that I am- I still loose track of time and miss out on those opportunities!)
MAKING time is different- it is a choice. When you make time to read you have chosen to make it a priority for your family.
The NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children) encourages families to read every day together at a designated time. They have found that taking time to read together shows your child that reading is worthwhile; that it's important.
Making time to read may mean different things for different families. Maybe this means right before bed, or before nap, right after dinner, or even during bath time-but in some way build a time for reading into your child's daily routine.
I know you're picturing "the perfect family" huddled around a book and laughing and smiling and having a grand old time- and you're thinking- yeah, right...there's no way I can get my kids to do that! Well, it may not go that way, and that's okay. Just try it out. Spend some time one-on-one with them. Try reading a new book. But, don't look at it as work, or just one more thing to do. In the end it doesn't matter so much what you read with them, but that you are reading with them.
So, make some time in your day to read with your family. No matter what their ages, your children will benefit from it. And, you may even benefit from it too!

Let me know how it goes. Make reading a priority in your family. Start by making time each day to read.