Publish your own cookbook in 2014!  Click here to enter Rachael Ray's cookbook competition, and you could be a published cookbook author!

Happy New Year,

Christine…

To get my students excited about reading over the holiday break, I plan a book swap.  I tell students to bring in a book that they enjoyed, but no longer need, to swap with a friend.  In the days leading up to the book swap, I prepare the boys and girls by sharing my expectations for the swap. 

Students will have to share the title and genre, introduce the protagonist, and give a little preview of the plot, without spoiling the ending.  (This is the most difficult part.) 

My…

I originally posted this last year:

What if Kennedy wasn't assassinated?  Would the U.S. have entered Vietnam when we did?  Would the  Civil Rights Act have been passed when it was?  These are questions posed by Stephen King's 11/22/63.  For time travel, historical fiction, rhetorical questions and even a romance, read Stephen King's 864-page book, 11/22/63.

Happy reading,

Christine…

When my children and I started reading When Did You See Her Last? my son commented on how long it takes authors to release new books.  I told him I didn't remember how long ago Lemony Snicket's last book came out.  He said, "Sure you do.  Don't you remember we read it in the dark, in the den during Hurricane Sandy?"

And suddenly it all came flooding back to me.  Not just the memory of reading that book, but the memories of reading significant books in my life.  Speechless and…

Thanks to my dad for reminding me that this was the 150th anniversary of The Gettysburg Address.  Here is a video of famous Americans recounting those immortal words:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndmcgAsA1aI

Happy reading,

Christine…

According to the DOD website, this is President Obama's proclamation for National Education Week:

“Education is both a pillar of democracy and a cornerstone of American opportunity. In an increasingly competitive world, it gives our children the tools to thrive and our Nation the talent to lead. During American Education Week, we reaffirm our commitment to the next generation, and we celebrate everyone who is striving to help America’s young people…

This weekend, my children and I finished reading Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Hard Luck.  Filled with middle school humor and Greg Heffley's continued antics, this book is just as perfect for reluctant readers as is the rest of the series.  Read it with a boy who thinks he hates reading and you'll both be clutching your bellies from laughing so hard.  For my other book picks for reluctant boy readers, click…

Here is a link to my current article on Bedtime Stories for Big Kids.

Happy reading,

Christine

bookgirlblogger.blogspot.com

Being happy in my classroom, it has been years since I have had to search for a job and go through the whole interview process.  Thinking back on it though, my stomach does a little flip as I remember cover letters, resumes, gathering my college and grad school transcripts, teaching certificates, building a portfolio, interviews, second interviews, writing samples and sample lessons. 

A friend of mine recently went through this whole process as she went on her first job interview…

My favorite book to read on Veterans Day is a book that several years ago, I sent to my father-in-law, a veteran.  The Wall, by Eve Bunting is a picture book with the simply beautiful message that although it is an honor for a child to see their grandparent's name on a memorial, it is better to have the grandparent here, telling you to button-up your jacket.  Read it with your students, or read it with a veteran that you love.

Happy…

November is Picture Book Month.  Click on the link to find tips for celebrating this beloved medium.

Picture books are the most expensive books to produce, and consequently the most difficult to get published.  Due to the short, concise nature of the text, the picture book author must be fastidious with his or her words, and merciless with his or her revisions and edits, making well-written picture books models of…

Happy Election Day!  It was on this day in 1872, that suffragist Susan B. Anthony broke the law and tried to vote for president.  Hopefully you have honored the sacrifices of all those who came before us and voted already, today.  If not, please get out and vote. 

When you get home, why not read, Duck for President  with your own kids?

Happy reading,

Christine…

5 of the last 7 presidents were lefties, as were Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci.  Although a small percentage of the population, lefties are over-represented among architects, musicians, and art/music students.  There is increased left-handedness among children with IQ scores above 132.  Why?

I hope everyone had a great Halloween. 

Now that it is November, you can read my article, "Bedtime Stories for Big Kids" in the current issue of Scholastic Parent & Child.  There you will find tips on keeping the bedtime ritual alive with 'tweens, as well as evidence of the importance of reading aloud with older children.  Experts like Michelle Anthony, Ph.D., Krista Granieri, Adjunct Literacy Professor, and parent, Linda Doherty weigh in with their opinions.  You'll also…

Today is the 5th annual National Day on Writing.  How are you celebrating literacy today?

Happy reading and writing,

Christine

bookgirlblogger.blogspot.com

Trick or treat,

Smell my feet,

Give me something good to .....

                                                    read?

The New York Public Library has posted Halloween Reads IV: The Repass.  Check out the librarians' suggestions for some haunting reads.

Happy reading,

Christine…

The current issue of AFT's American Educator contains this interesting piece on close reads.  While the author acknowledges the importance of prior knowledge in the comprehension of a text, he cautions teachers to be selective in their pre-reading practices.  Additionally, he points out the inherent hazards of  blindly following the Common Core push for asking text-dependent…

Flipped Friday