I happened to be "cleaning" yesterday and came across some of my children's writings. The books brought a great deal of nostalgia about years gone by. You and I have heard it millions of times, "They grow up so quickly." It's true.
Well, anyway, I found the books they wrote one summer. They were so charming and some comments were hysterical. I cherish those childish words and will keep the books forever.
Children love writing books and my children are at the age now where they like to put the razzle-dazzle of pop-ups, varying fonts and color.
Lately, I have been researching paper folding to add to books.I suppose you can say that I am adding origami to our books. For example, one of my children decided to write a story about a frog. She added an origami frog to her book and it was a scream! She painted it, added drops of paint to make his spots and made the most charming face.
The topics to write about are virtually endless. Several include:
1. My Family
2. Animals
3. The Sport I play
4. How to...
5. My Favorite Place
6. The Alphabet
7. My family heritage
8. A Book About Me
9. My Vacation
10. Original Stories
11. My Crazy Day
12. Somebody Special
13. The Birthday Party
14. Friends are Important
If you have a classroom, make sure you have a section of books children have written. They love to read other children's writings. Be sure to include poetry books!
There are plenty of different types of books to make. Instead of explaining how to make the books, I thought you might like to visit these fabulous sites:
1. Susan Kapuscinski Gaylord is incredible. She provides wonderful step by step directions as well as free activities.
http://www.makingbooks.com/step.shtml
http://makingbookswithchildren.blogspot.com/
2. Vicki Blackwell also has some wonderful ideas on making books. She must be an amazing teacher. Check her site at:
http://www.vickiblackwell.com/makingbooks.html
3. Joan Irvin is the "Pop-Up Lady." She not only has some interesting pop-ups on her
website, she has also authored books on the subject. Be sure to visit "The Pop-up Lady!
http://joanirvine.com/HowTo.aspx
4. I wish I could give more credit to this creative lady, but she has only signed her name as Cathy. Her site is excellent with colored photos.
http://www.bookmakingwithkids.com/index.php
5. Jeanne Hunt has downloads that are easy to follow and ones you will want to save.
http://www.oneheartarts.com/bookmakingprojects.htm
You may want to view some of Susan's outstanding videos:
Another charming video is:
If you want to have a book professionally bound, you might consider reviewing the site: http://www.bookemon.com/create-book/Writings
If you are interested in viewing some recommended pop-up books, you might try these:
My favorite book about paper folding is: The Encyclopedia of Paper Folding.
Other books on origami include:
Monday, July 26, 2010
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Phonics They Use
Phonics They Use
Patricia Cunningham
I am always looking for great books to teach reading. I believe in using lots of different techniques including phonics. This is a book I highly recommend. It has plenty of games and new activities and strategies for teaching reading and is a great resource for beginning as well as veteran teachers. The book provides step by step, easy to follow explanations of practical phonetic activities that can be used in the classroom. This is an excellent resource book that will always remain on my shelf.
Ideas that you might consider:
1. Room Reading: Print words that the children should know around the room. Give them charming glasses and interesting pointers to read and point. They love the reading aids.
2. Big Books: I like to make my big books using photos of the children. For example, the song Dem Bones take photos of your students. You might use a photo of Christopher's toes, Alexandria's leg and so on. I like to have them also make a picture of a bone and have their face photos on the page as well. They love this type of an activity!
Dem Bones
Oh those bones, oh those bones,
oh those skeleton bones.
Oh those bones, oh those bones,
oh those skeleton bones.
Oh those bones, oh those bones,
oh those skeleton bones.
Oh mercy how they scare!
With the toe bone connected
to the foot bone,
and the foot bone connected
to the ankle bone,
and the ankle bone connected
to the leg bone.
Oh mercy how they scare!
Oh those bones, oh those bones,
oh those skeleton bones.
Oh those bones, oh those bones,
oh those skeleton bones.
Oh those bones, oh those bones,
oh those skeleton bones.
Oh mercy how they scare!
With the leg bone connected
to the knee bone,
and the knee bone connected
to the thigh bone,
and the thigh bone connected
to the hip bone.
Oh mercy how they scare!
Oh those bones, oh those bones,
oh those skeleton bones.
Oh those bones, oh those bones,
oh those skeleton bones.
Oh those bones, oh those bones,
oh those skeleton bones.
Oh mercy how they scare!
With the hip bone connected
to the back bone,
and the back bone connected
to the neck bone,
and the neck bone connected
to the head bone,
Oh mercy how they scare!
Oh those bones, oh those bones,
oh those skeleton bones.
Oh those bones, oh those bones,
oh those skeleton bones.
Oh those bones, oh those bones,
oh those skeleton bones.
Oh mercy how they scare!
With the finger bone connected
to the hand bone,
and the hand bone connected
to the arm bone,
and the arm bone connected
to the shoulder bone,
Oh mercy how they scare!
Oh those bones, oh those bones,
oh those skeleton bones.
Oh those bones, oh those bones,
oh those skeleton bones.
Oh those bones, oh those bones,
oh those skeleton bones.
Oh mercy how they scare!
With the shoulder bone connected
to the back bone,
and the back bone connected
to the neck bone,
and the neck bone connected
to the head bone.
Oh mercy how they scare!
Original Version:
E-ze-kiel cried, "Dem dry bones!"
E-ze-kiel cried, "Dem dry bones!"
E-ze-kiel cried, "Dem dry bones!"
Oh hear the word of the Lord.
The foot bone con-nected to the (pause) leg-bone,
The leg bone connected to the (') knee bone,
The knee bone connected to the (') thigh bone,
The thigh bone connected to the (') back bone,
The back bone connected to the (') neck bone
The neck bone connected to the (') head bone
Oh hear the word of the Lord!
Dem bones, dem bones gon-na walk a-roun'
Dem bones, dem bones gon-na walk a-roun'
Dem bones, dem bones gonna walk aroun'
Oh hear the word of the Lord
The head-bone connected to the neck-bone,
the neck-bone connected to the back-bone
The backbone connected to the thigh-bone
the thighbone connected to the kee-bone
the kneebone connected to the leg bone
the leg bone connected to the foot bone
Oh hear the word of the Lord
Consider these books as a great resource:
3. Listening Center: Always have books on CD's so the children can follow along.
4. Wall Writing: Have a specific place in your classroom on a chalkboard, white board or on the refrigerator at home for writing words. If the children find an interesting word, have them print it on paper and place it on the wall.
5. Word Sorts Children can classify long or short vowels, initial consonants, prefixes, or nouns and verbs, from a collection of words or pictures. You can do lots of activities using word sorts.
6.Overhead Projector: Kids love to illustrate their writings using overhead pens. They can create their own graphic organizers pictures for books they are reading.
7. Magnetic letters: I love having a ton of magnetic letters in the classroom. I have cookie sheets for the work boards. The magnetic sheets you can purchase will go through your printer. Kids can match letters in words by placing the plastic dimensional letters over top of the ones you have printed on magnetic sheets.
The magnetic sheets are found here:
8. Stamp A Story: I have collected millions of rubber stamps. By using different fonts and stamps, children can create a variety of stories. They can be changed according to holidays or even events.
9. Living Books: There are plenty of websites that offer books for children to read. They offer a different type of technology for our upcoming geeks.
10. Kids Books: I always have a collection of books that children (in my class as well as upper grades) have created. I have them laminated and kid illustrated. The students love them.
Other books by Patricia Cunningham include:
Patricia Cunningham
I am always looking for great books to teach reading. I believe in using lots of different techniques including phonics. This is a book I highly recommend. It has plenty of games and new activities and strategies for teaching reading and is a great resource for beginning as well as veteran teachers. The book provides step by step, easy to follow explanations of practical phonetic activities that can be used in the classroom. This is an excellent resource book that will always remain on my shelf.
Ideas that you might consider:
1. Room Reading: Print words that the children should know around the room. Give them charming glasses and interesting pointers to read and point. They love the reading aids.
2. Big Books: I like to make my big books using photos of the children. For example, the song Dem Bones take photos of your students. You might use a photo of Christopher's toes, Alexandria's leg and so on. I like to have them also make a picture of a bone and have their face photos on the page as well. They love this type of an activity!
Dem Bones
Oh those bones, oh those bones,
oh those skeleton bones.
Oh those bones, oh those bones,
oh those skeleton bones.
Oh those bones, oh those bones,
oh those skeleton bones.
Oh mercy how they scare!
With the toe bone connected
to the foot bone,
and the foot bone connected
to the ankle bone,
and the ankle bone connected
to the leg bone.
Oh mercy how they scare!
Oh those bones, oh those bones,
oh those skeleton bones.
Oh those bones, oh those bones,
oh those skeleton bones.
Oh those bones, oh those bones,
oh those skeleton bones.
Oh mercy how they scare!
With the leg bone connected
to the knee bone,
and the knee bone connected
to the thigh bone,
and the thigh bone connected
to the hip bone.
Oh mercy how they scare!
Oh those bones, oh those bones,
oh those skeleton bones.
Oh those bones, oh those bones,
oh those skeleton bones.
Oh those bones, oh those bones,
oh those skeleton bones.
Oh mercy how they scare!
With the hip bone connected
to the back bone,
and the back bone connected
to the neck bone,
and the neck bone connected
to the head bone,
Oh mercy how they scare!
Oh those bones, oh those bones,
oh those skeleton bones.
Oh those bones, oh those bones,
oh those skeleton bones.
Oh those bones, oh those bones,
oh those skeleton bones.
Oh mercy how they scare!
With the finger bone connected
to the hand bone,
and the hand bone connected
to the arm bone,
and the arm bone connected
to the shoulder bone,
Oh mercy how they scare!
Oh those bones, oh those bones,
oh those skeleton bones.
Oh those bones, oh those bones,
oh those skeleton bones.
Oh those bones, oh those bones,
oh those skeleton bones.
Oh mercy how they scare!
With the shoulder bone connected
to the back bone,
and the back bone connected
to the neck bone,
and the neck bone connected
to the head bone.
Oh mercy how they scare!
Original Version:
E-ze-kiel cried, "Dem dry bones!"
E-ze-kiel cried, "Dem dry bones!"
E-ze-kiel cried, "Dem dry bones!"
Oh hear the word of the Lord.
The foot bone con-nected to the (pause) leg-bone,
The leg bone connected to the (') knee bone,
The knee bone connected to the (') thigh bone,
The thigh bone connected to the (') back bone,
The back bone connected to the (') neck bone
The neck bone connected to the (') head bone
Oh hear the word of the Lord!
Dem bones, dem bones gon-na walk a-roun'
Dem bones, dem bones gon-na walk a-roun'
Dem bones, dem bones gonna walk aroun'
Oh hear the word of the Lord
The head-bone connected to the neck-bone,
the neck-bone connected to the back-bone
The backbone connected to the thigh-bone
the thighbone connected to the kee-bone
the kneebone connected to the leg bone
the leg bone connected to the foot bone
Oh hear the word of the Lord
Consider these books as a great resource:
3. Listening Center: Always have books on CD's so the children can follow along.
4. Wall Writing: Have a specific place in your classroom on a chalkboard, white board or on the refrigerator at home for writing words. If the children find an interesting word, have them print it on paper and place it on the wall.
5. Word Sorts Children can classify long or short vowels, initial consonants, prefixes, or nouns and verbs, from a collection of words or pictures. You can do lots of activities using word sorts.
6.Overhead Projector: Kids love to illustrate their writings using overhead pens. They can create their own graphic organizers pictures for books they are reading.
7. Magnetic letters: I love having a ton of magnetic letters in the classroom. I have cookie sheets for the work boards. The magnetic sheets you can purchase will go through your printer. Kids can match letters in words by placing the plastic dimensional letters over top of the ones you have printed on magnetic sheets.
The magnetic sheets are found here:
8. Stamp A Story: I have collected millions of rubber stamps. By using different fonts and stamps, children can create a variety of stories. They can be changed according to holidays or even events.
9. Living Books: There are plenty of websites that offer books for children to read. They offer a different type of technology for our upcoming geeks.
10. Kids Books: I always have a collection of books that children (in my class as well as upper grades) have created. I have them laminated and kid illustrated. The students love them.
Other books by Patricia Cunningham include:
Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Photoshop
I must admit that I am not a computer expert. In fact, you might call me a novice, but I have been wanting to make classroom materials for so long that it is getting ridiculous. Having investigated through a variety of sources, I have decided to purchase Adobe Photoshop for my Mac. I understand it has all of the elements that I need. I will keep you abreast of my successes/failures.
It is nicely priced and has a rebate!
If you have had any experiences in creating learning materials, please let me know!
I am also going to need some tutoring, so I am considering one (or more) of the following:
I must admit that I am not a computer expert. In fact, you might call me a novice, but I have been wanting to make classroom materials for so long that it is getting ridiculous. Having investigated through a variety of sources, I have decided to purchase Adobe Photoshop for my Mac. I understand it has all of the elements that I need. I will keep you abreast of my successes/failures.
It is nicely priced and has a rebate!
If you have had any experiences in creating learning materials, please let me know!
I am also going to need some tutoring, so I am considering one (or more) of the following:
Friday, July 23, 2010
Max's Words
Max's Words
Kate Banks - author
Boris Kulikov - illustrator
Max's brothers are collectors of coins and stamps, but Max doesn't collect anything. He decides to collect something, anything. He finally decides to collect words. He carefully selects them from all sorts of print materials and then sorts them by category: colors, foods, small ones, big ones. He then gets very creative with the collection in this charming story that is must for pre and early readers.
Activities for this book might include:
1. Children can be given magazines and newspapers to find words that are of interest to them.
3. Construct a paper tree using strips of construction paper or paper bag. Glue the tree on a sheet of construction paper. Have the children cut out leaves and glue words from magazines on the leaves. They can decorate the remaining portion of the sheet of paper.
3. In a classroom, create a large tree on a bulletin board. Children can find their favorite words in magazines and affix them on the tree. Students can also glue the definitions to the words on an adjoining leaf on the tree.
4. Provide the students with construction paper and library pockets. Children can draw a picture using the pocket as a shirt pouch, jeans or any appropriate wearing apparel. Children can periodically add words to the pocket and then use them in their writings or simply use them to write sentences
5. Each child can add words to a journal or a little home-made book. They might be specific designations of words such as descriptive, synonyms, sensory, etc.
6. Select some words from the book and list them on chart paper. Children can think of synonyms to use for the words.
7. Allow children to select a passage in the book to illustrate.
8. Research other books the author has written and read them.
Other books using a similar concept include:
Kate Banks has also written teh following books:
The Eraserheads
Kate Banks - author
Boris Kulikov - illustrator
Max's brothers are collectors of coins and stamps, but Max doesn't collect anything. He decides to collect something, anything. He finally decides to collect words. He carefully selects them from all sorts of print materials and then sorts them by category: colors, foods, small ones, big ones. He then gets very creative with the collection in this charming story that is must for pre and early readers.
Activities for this book might include:
1. Children can be given magazines and newspapers to find words that are of interest to them.
3. Construct a paper tree using strips of construction paper or paper bag. Glue the tree on a sheet of construction paper. Have the children cut out leaves and glue words from magazines on the leaves. They can decorate the remaining portion of the sheet of paper.
3. In a classroom, create a large tree on a bulletin board. Children can find their favorite words in magazines and affix them on the tree. Students can also glue the definitions to the words on an adjoining leaf on the tree.
4. Provide the students with construction paper and library pockets. Children can draw a picture using the pocket as a shirt pouch, jeans or any appropriate wearing apparel. Children can periodically add words to the pocket and then use them in their writings or simply use them to write sentences
5. Each child can add words to a journal or a little home-made book. They might be specific designations of words such as descriptive, synonyms, sensory, etc.
6. Select some words from the book and list them on chart paper. Children can think of synonyms to use for the words.
7. Allow children to select a passage in the book to illustrate.
8. Research other books the author has written and read them.
Other books using a similar concept include:
Kate Banks has also written teh following books:
The Eraserheads
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Patricia Polacco - Studying an Author
Several years ago, I had the pleasure of attending a book conference. Fortunately, I had the opportunity to meet Patricia Polacco. She was inspiring, personable and simply charming. Her stories are a reflection of childhood memories that inspire children.
I found it interesting to learn that she suffered from dyslexia. Her dyslexia lead her to cultivating her talent in art - thus leading her to a successful career. Her life story can be found on her home page. www.patriciapolacco.com/.
When providing children with a picture book, I love to tell interesting aspects about the author. These points make the writer of the book more REAL! So, always look for the author's home page or search the internet for a biography.
When beginning an author study follow some simple points:
•Show a photograph of the author. These are generally found on the book's cover flaps. If they are not found here, then search for pictures on the internet. It may be possible to find a poster of the author.
• Have other books by the author readily available for the children.
• Design an author bulletin board or table. It might be possible to display the books, newspaper clippings and some "artifacts" that may relate to the author. For example, if studying Dr. Seuss, place a cat and a hat on teh table along with the book.
• Celebrate the author's birthday by having a week of festivities highlighting teh author.
•Compare and contrast the author's books. Determine how the author changes her stories or if there is a thread of a theme. Patricia Polacco generally takes her stories from her childhood.
•Make a list of the books read and graph the children's favorites.
• Have a favorite book festival with foods that may relate to the book or the time time the book took place.
• Evaluate (on the child's level) the author's style, themes and characters.
• Try to make connections between the author's life and writings.
• Make personal connections with the theme and characters of the book.
Some books written by Patricia include:
I found it interesting to learn that she suffered from dyslexia. Her dyslexia lead her to cultivating her talent in art - thus leading her to a successful career. Her life story can be found on her home page. www.patriciapolacco.com/.
When providing children with a picture book, I love to tell interesting aspects about the author. These points make the writer of the book more REAL! So, always look for the author's home page or search the internet for a biography.
When beginning an author study follow some simple points:
•Show a photograph of the author. These are generally found on the book's cover flaps. If they are not found here, then search for pictures on the internet. It may be possible to find a poster of the author.
• Have other books by the author readily available for the children.
• Design an author bulletin board or table. It might be possible to display the books, newspaper clippings and some "artifacts" that may relate to the author. For example, if studying Dr. Seuss, place a cat and a hat on teh table along with the book.
• Celebrate the author's birthday by having a week of festivities highlighting teh author.
•Compare and contrast the author's books. Determine how the author changes her stories or if there is a thread of a theme. Patricia Polacco generally takes her stories from her childhood.
•Make a list of the books read and graph the children's favorites.
• Have a favorite book festival with foods that may relate to the book or the time time the book took place.
• Evaluate (on the child's level) the author's style, themes and characters.
• Try to make connections between the author's life and writings.
• Make personal connections with the theme and characters of the book.
Some books written by Patricia include:
The Morning Meeting
Teachers across the country are getting ready for their first day of school. There’s generally lots to do and the excitement is building. It’s time to begin thinking about the preparation of the classroom, schedules and even techniques.
One of the most important parts of the schedule is the Morning Meeting. I love the concept. It’s a great way of gathering children together and an excellent way to begin the day.
Some teachers simply gather the students by announcing, “Time for Morning Meeting, while others have a child play on the xylophone. The students know where to gather and the teacher sits before the group announcing, “Our Morning Meeting is about to begin.” Students generally sit on the rug in front of the teacher.
The meeting provides generally the same information each day, but can be varied as desired. Certainly the early grades will want to practice reading, punctuation or even some “misspelled” words by the teacher. Higher grade teachers will probably ask questions about assignments of have the students plan activities or research studies. The beauty of the Morning Meeting is up to the teacher, but always have the date and something that will be informative about the day to come. I giggle when I think of the Morning Meeting comparing it to my husband reading his morning newspaper. He cannot start the day without him knowing what is going on in the world. Rightly so, he is politically active and an attorney.
The Morning Meeting is as flexible as the teacher wants to make it. It always fun to reflect the upcoming month’s holiday, field trip someone’s new puppy or any topic that will interest the students.
The Morning Meeting plays many vital roles in a classroom, but they can also be an important tool for the family unit. I use one for our family. We get organized for the day and give and take assignments and plan for events. It is a way to gather together. When I taught kindergarten, I called it “Circle Time,” so my teacher training now comes in handy for managing my home life.
By having a Morning Meeting, students are learning to listen to one another take direction and share information. It is an excellent beginning for learning socialization skills and manners – not to mention the cognitive skills. Teachers must always establish the rules for the meetings and make sure they are explained on the first day that the Morning Meeting takes place. Set the tone and establish rules of respect.
I absolutely love my children’s First Grade teacher, Mrs. P. While observing her classroom, I learned just as much as the children. Her techniques for Morning Meeting were phenomenal. She always dated her Meeting pad (written on a large pad with lines so everyone could see and follow.) The children would first read the date in proper order, noting the commas and capitalization. Then she would write several sentences. As the year progressed, she would teach a concept in the Message. She would misspell words, give definitions, write news leaving out important words, leave punctuation out and even talk about an important event or happening with one of the children.
Be sure to begin your teaching or parent day with a Morning Meeting. It gets everyone off to the right start.
If you are interested in learning more about The Morning Meeting, consider these books:
One of the most important parts of the schedule is the Morning Meeting. I love the concept. It’s a great way of gathering children together and an excellent way to begin the day.
Some teachers simply gather the students by announcing, “Time for Morning Meeting, while others have a child play on the xylophone. The students know where to gather and the teacher sits before the group announcing, “Our Morning Meeting is about to begin.” Students generally sit on the rug in front of the teacher.
The meeting provides generally the same information each day, but can be varied as desired. Certainly the early grades will want to practice reading, punctuation or even some “misspelled” words by the teacher. Higher grade teachers will probably ask questions about assignments of have the students plan activities or research studies. The beauty of the Morning Meeting is up to the teacher, but always have the date and something that will be informative about the day to come. I giggle when I think of the Morning Meeting comparing it to my husband reading his morning newspaper. He cannot start the day without him knowing what is going on in the world. Rightly so, he is politically active and an attorney.
The Morning Meeting is as flexible as the teacher wants to make it. It always fun to reflect the upcoming month’s holiday, field trip someone’s new puppy or any topic that will interest the students.
The Morning Meeting plays many vital roles in a classroom, but they can also be an important tool for the family unit. I use one for our family. We get organized for the day and give and take assignments and plan for events. It is a way to gather together. When I taught kindergarten, I called it “Circle Time,” so my teacher training now comes in handy for managing my home life.
By having a Morning Meeting, students are learning to listen to one another take direction and share information. It is an excellent beginning for learning socialization skills and manners – not to mention the cognitive skills. Teachers must always establish the rules for the meetings and make sure they are explained on the first day that the Morning Meeting takes place. Set the tone and establish rules of respect.
I absolutely love my children’s First Grade teacher, Mrs. P. While observing her classroom, I learned just as much as the children. Her techniques for Morning Meeting were phenomenal. She always dated her Meeting pad (written on a large pad with lines so everyone could see and follow.) The children would first read the date in proper order, noting the commas and capitalization. Then she would write several sentences. As the year progressed, she would teach a concept in the Message. She would misspell words, give definitions, write news leaving out important words, leave punctuation out and even talk about an important event or happening with one of the children.
Be sure to begin your teaching or parent day with a Morning Meeting. It gets everyone off to the right start.
If you are interested in learning more about The Morning Meeting, consider these books:
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