Books! Books! Books!

I've always loved books! I started reading at a very young age and haven't stopped since. I still prefer actual books to e-books. The smell of fresh crisp pages just gets to me every time. Plus I love feeling like a "yuppie" as I sip the cool, expensive hot cocoa as I read a book or magazine at the bookstore. Books keep me alive! As such, I love to BUY books! Yes...this habit has costs me a fortune. I especially love collecting children's books so thank goodness for TJ Maxx!!! I will have a real library in my house one day!! Check this room out...aren't you just drooling at the expansive collection of books? LOVE!

Illustrated Audiobooks for Kids for iPad DEAL

The iTunes App Store offers a selection of childrens' illustrated audiobooks for iPad for free, as listed below. That's a $2 drop and the best deal we could find on these apps, each of which features a collection of stories. The deals:

• iReading HD – World Classic Fairy Tales Series
• iReading HD - Emotion Management Stories Series (pictured)
• iReading HD - Virtue Education Story Series
• iReading HD - Mind Growth Education Series
• iReading HD - Good Habit Stories Series

Great Phonics Song

Read for the Record 2011!

Sit down to read. Stand up for children. 

Millions of children in low-income neighborhoods are at risk of school failure before they even start kindergarten. Jumpstart's Read for the Record®, presented in partnership with the Pearson Foundation, allows Americans to demand that all children receive the quality early education they deserve.

On October 6, 2011, more than 2 million voices will call for an end to America's early education achievement gap by reading Llama Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney – setting a world record in the process! Sit down to read in your community.You'll be standing up for children everywhere!

PLEDGE TO READ HERE!

THE BOOK:

SAT Reading Scores Fall to the Lowest!

 GREAT ARTICLE:

SAT reading scores fall to lowest level on record
By Justin Pope, Associated Press 

(AP) - SAT reading scores for the high school class of 2011 were the lowest on record, and combined reading and math scores fell to their lowest point since 1995.

The College Board, which released the scores Wednesday, said the results reflect the record size and diversity of the pool of test-takers. As more students aim for college and take the exam, it tends to drag down average scores.

Meanwhile, other tests taken by more representative groups of high school students have shown reading skills holding steadier. And in the context of the 800-point test, the three-point decline in reading scores to 497 may seem little more than a blip.

Still, it's just the second time in the last two decades reading scores have fallen as much in a single year. And reading scores are now notably lower than as recently as 2005, when the average was 508.

Average math scores for the class of 2011 fell one point to 514 and scores on the critical reading section fell two points to 489.

College Board officials pointed to a range of indicators that the test-taking pool has expanded, particularly among Hispanics, which is a good sign that more students are aspiring to college. For instance, roughly 27 percent of the 1.65 million test-takers last year came from a home where English was not the only language, up from 19 percent just a decade ago.

But the increasingly diverse group of test-takers is clearly having more trouble with reading and writing than with math. Wayne Camara, College Board vice president of research, said recent curriculum reforms that pushed math instruction may be coming at the expense of reading and writing _ especially in an era when students are reading less and less at home.

"We're looking and wondering if (more) efforts in English and reading and writing would benefit" students, Camara said.

Gary Phillips, chief scientist at the American Institutes of Research, cautioned against using SAT scores as a way to measure national performance.

Overall on reading, "I think we're treading water in the long-run," Phillips said, citing other tests like the National Assessment of Educational Progress. "In the short run, we've had a few blips in a couple directions. Based on the international comparisons, however, we're still not doing all that well."

Bob Schaeffer, public education director of the group Fair Test, a longtime critic of the SAT, found unpersuasive the College Board's explanation that the declines were due largely to a broadening test pool. In 2003, he said, the number of SAT-takers expanded by a greater percentage than last year, but scores that year rose 6 points on math and reading.

"Yes, changing test-taker demographics matter," he said. "No, they don't explain a 18-point drop (in combined scores) over five years."

The College Board, a membership organization that owns the exam and promotes college access, also released its first "College and Career Benchmark" report, which it said would eventually be used to give states and school districts better data on how ready their students are for college. Based on research at 100 colleges, the College Board calculated that scoring 1550 or above on the three sections of the test indicated a 65-percent likelihood of attaining at least a B-minus average in the freshman year of college.

Overall, 43 percent of test-takers reached that benchmark. The College Board emphasized the tool is for policymakers, and shouldn't be used by college admissions officers to evaluate individual candidates.

The main message from the College Board was the importance of a rigorous curriculum, which is a strong and perhaps growing predictor of SAT scores.

For instance, nearly one in five students takes less than four years of high school English. That's about the same percentage as a decade ago, but it now makes a much bigger difference on SAT scores: The reading scores of those students have fallen from 500 to 462. Students who took AP and honors classes, meanwhile, score significantly higher across the board.

A decline in average scores isn't necessarily good news for top students who were applying to competitive colleges. The number of high scores is also increasing. For instance, the number of students with math scores of at least 700 is up 22 percent since 2007.

The SAT and rival ACT exam are taken by roughly the same number of students each year. Most colleges require scores from at least one of the exams but will consider either. In recent years, some colleges have adopted test-optional policies allowing applicants to decline to submit test scores at all.

The College Board, which charges $49 this year for the test, has faced criticism from some educators over fees. This year it says it had responded to the weak economy with more financial aid, granting 350,000 students fee waivers, an increase of 77 percent in the last four years.

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Justin Pope covers higher education for the AP. You can reach him at twitter.com/jnn_pope97

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What are you doing to increase your child's reading skills? I must add that while reading proficiency is important, it is more important to increase their comprehension skills. I usually start my 7/8-year-old students to start learning about character development, themes, and plots in a much more simplified way. You can do that by having a storybook journal with each book they read. Have your child list out the important characters in the book. They can draw the character, map out character traits and personalities. Talk about themes such as love, honesty, knowing who you are (personal identity), religion, and do on. Have your child write a few short sentences of what you guys discussed. Just remember they are still young, so it does not have to be complicated. However, this will allow your child to start reading and seeing a distinct difference in their approach to reading. They will enjoy reading more and have a deeper understanding for such topics. In addition, learning such skills will help with their writing as well. What else do you do to help with your child's reading comprehension?

Your Baby Can Read - What is it really?

So it's way cool seeing 8/9 month-old babies point to the object or do the action when shown the word on a flash card. I must admit I was extremely intrigued and got a copy. I went through the program and decided that it wasn't for me. (I almost felt like I could have gone to the zoo, filmed the animals with my camcorder, made my own flash cards, and still come up with a much better quality product...but hey it's sold millions of copies all around the world so who am I to complain? :) What it does is it teaches the child to recognize and remember the words. To a certain extent, your child could learn reading this way. It will take a longer time for them to recognize new words (until they form patterns in their brain that words spelled similarly probably sound similar) and it won't help with spelling. In comparison to phonics, it's still far behind. Phonics teaches your child to sound out the words. My students who went through the phonics program were all able to spell words they have never heard of or tried before simply by sounding it out. Still, any learning is better than no learning. I have known plenty of kids who have learn reading by word recognition. However, if you are going to spend the money on a reading learning system, I probably would put it towards to phonics system instead. The big difference however is that phonics will work once your child can start imitating words, sounds, and communicating. It probably wouldn't work with an 8-month-old baby. So if you are the parent who wants your child to be a baby genius and have extra cash lying around, by all means start Your Baby Can Read first and then switch to phonics once they start talking. :) What do you guys think?

Another Great Book!

Since we were on the topic of my toddler, Talon's favorite books...I probably should have shared his all time favorite book - There!  Every time we walk into his nursery, he turns towards the bookshelf and starts whining like there's no tomorrow. I would bring him closer to his bookshelf and he immediately reaches for this book. This silly boy can make his poor momma read his fave. book about tens times straight! Now don't get me wrong. I love books and I love that Talon loves books but really... to have to read the same book over and over again ten times in a roll, twice a day, everyday? I feel like I've lived with this book all my life! Silly silly Talon!

It actually is quite an insightful book. Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick actually won the Children’s Book of the Year Award 2010 from Children’s Books Ireland, known as the “Bisto Award”, for her picture book There. There is a magical and charming allegory about growing up. Carrying a large satchel, the eager child strides down a sidewalk as he asks, 'When will I get There?' His innocent questions take him over hills, through daisy fields and up into rainy skies. The full-page, softly rendered landscapes dwarf the inquisitive narrator, who wants to know, 'Will I wear sensible shoes and say sensible things? Will I never say anything silly again?... Will I know all the secrets?' In a clever spread, he wonders about finding her way through a 'jungle,' as the facing illustration shows him amid shadowy apartment buildings where wild animals lurk and a stocking on a clothesline is really a snake. Older readers will take heart in her hopefulness and determination to 'still build snowmen and sandcastles. Definitely.' In the end, he decides he won't go There today because 'I've got lots to do.'

Where is Baby's Belly Button?

We have recently been reading Where is Baby's Belly Button? to our 1 yr old son and he loves it.  It's written by Karen Katz.  Our child enjoys it because it's a lift-the-flap book where the child can flip up/down the flap and discover whats underneath.  It makes the book much more interactive and enjoyable to the child.

ABC News takes a look at education

Definitely a good look into what the successful countries such as China and Finland are doing in terms of educating their children.

Fun book for little children

The Going to Bed Book by Sandra Boynton


Looking for a new book to read to your child before bed?  This silly book will do the trick.  "In The Going to Bed Book, an ark full of animals watches the sun go down and then prepares for bed. They take a bath ("in one big tub"), find pajamas, brush their teeth, do exercises up on deck (imagine an elephant jumping rope, a moose lifting weights, and a pig doing handstands), and finally say good night."  Check it out!

Technology in the Classroom

According to an article by Bob Wheaton of the Jackson Citizen Patriot, many schools in the Jackson area are embracing technology in their schools.  Quite a few of the local schools are "using high-tech gadgets such as Tablet PCs, Flip video cameras and document cameras. They’re podcasting, vodcasting and visiting teachers’ Wikipages."  14 teachers are also participating in a cell phone project where students can text their teachers questions with homework and get more personal feedback outside of the classroom.  

These are just some of the things the article states are happening in the school regarding technology:

A sampling of some of the technology being used in Jackson County schools:

• Columbia: Nook e-readers for cognitively impaired students at Columbia Central High School; iPad tablet computers for fourth-graders at Brooklyn Elementary School.

• Grass Lake: Interactive long-distance learning technology that allows students at Grass Lake to take advanced placement classes by communicating electronically with teachers at Stockbridge High School; touch-screen SmartBoards at Grass Lake High School.

• Hanover-Horton: Document cameras that interface between computers and multimedia projectors; e-readers for special education students; CAD software, Fischertechnik robotics and stress analyzers for bridge trusses for pre-engineering students.

• Jackson Christian School: NComputing devices that make computers more available at Jackson Christian Elementary School; mobile language labs at Jackson Christian High School that includes 24 netbook computers, headsets and a printer so students can study as many as 32 languages.

• Jackson Public Schools: Airliner wireless tablets; teacher Wikipages for use by students and parents; cell phone project in which students or parents can call or text participating teachers after school hours; document cameras; computer response systems that allow the class to answer multiple-choice questions on a handheld clicker, with the results calculated and displayed; hand-held Neo computers and document cameras at McCulloch Academy of Technology & Science; new media center at Sharp Park Academy that will focus on technology.

• Jackson County Intermediate School District: LifeSize video-conferencing system used for Springport and Jackson Public Schools advanced placement biology class; e2020 online curriculum used by Jackson Area Career Center.

• Michigan Center: iPod touches; iPads; podcasting; vodcasting; Macbooks/laptops; morning announcements that are edited and put on the website SchoolTube.

• Paragon Charter Academy: Document cameras in grades K-8; amplification systems used by teachers; Flip video cameras; Promethean ActivExpression Learner and Student Response Systems that allow students to answer multiple-choice questions and have classroom results displayed.

This is definitely the direction that schools need to continue going.  Technology, used correctly, can help teachers teach more effectively and students learn more efficiently.  Do you think technology in the classroom can make a difference?

Nick Dentamaro | Jackson Citizen PatriotAmanda Keinath, right, a teacher at Columbia Central High School, shows Stephanie Smedley how to use a Nook e-reader.

Great Barnes + Noble Groupon

$10 for $20 Worth of Toys and Games, Books and More at Barnes & Noble. Get it at Groupon!  It's on for just 16 more hours so hurry!!!

Free Online Storybooks!

Go digital with free online storybooks from Story Time For Me. The books are narrated by professional actors and the words are highlighted word by word. Best of all, it's FREE!

Story Time For Me is the creation of Andrew Gitt, a self-made entrepreneur and father of four.  As parents of young children, Andrew and his wife were startled by the fact that the average child watches TV four hours per day, and will have witnessed 8,000 murders and 200,000 violent acts by their teens.  And the fact that TV viewing, video gaming, and net surfing outplace reading as a “fun” activity among young children is what motivated Andrew to develop an alternative form of children’s entertainment that would also be educational.  He assembled a team of children’s literary experts and multi-media specialists; the result was the formation of Story Time For Me.

Christmas Wish #7: Izzy and the Candy Palace

Izzy and the Candy Palace was written by nine-year-old Isabel J. and illustrated by J.H. Everett.  Isabel wrote the story with the sole purpose of raising funds to help feed hungry children in her community. Per Isabel’s wish, 100% of the profits from every book sold will be donated to the Kids Cafe program of the Second Harvest Food Bank. Isabel hopes that through her creativity and artistic expression, she is able to help provide funds so no child will go to bed hungry. Izzy and the Candy Palace, is a playful adventure that follows a young girl as she tries to stop a well-meaning candy monster from blanketing her town with candy. Izzy quickly realizes excess can lead to disaster and eventually this spirited and precocious girl provides a thoughtful solution. 

This is such a fantastic inspiration to all. Each book bought will be able to provide 27 meals for a child. The only unfortunate thing about this book is that it is not quite readily available everywhere yet! However, you can purchase directly from Isabel's website (link above). Try seeing if your local bookstore can order a few copies in if you would prefer not to pay shipping or wait too long! You can also download free activities or coloring pages from The Candy Palace.

In addition, the MMJ Foundation has launch the Candy Palace Program. The Candy Palace program promotes the idea of children helping children through creative and artistic expression. This idea is captured by the three words: Children, Creativity and Caring. Isabel's passion for helping others spawned The Candy Palace program of the MMJ Foundation, named after her original story. This program empowers other children to recognize that, even at a young age, they can make a difference in our world. The Candy Palace program will hold a biennial writing contest for children who want to use their creativity to help other children. The winning story will be transformed into a professionally illustrated and published children's picture book, from which all profits will be donated to help feed children in America.

Christmas Wish #6: Quirky Bookmarks

Now this is a fun gift to pair with some great books for your kids!! If I had bookmarks like this, I might just have to freeze time and cuddle in a corner with my books! Only the Japanese will think of such unique items. At only $7 for a set, it's a no-brainer-must-buy item! Find these awesome STIPEE Bookmarks HERE.

Christmas Wish #4: The Present

Little Arthur imagines the present could be anything. Well, not anything; it couldn’t be a fish in a bowl for a fish wouldn’t keep. But it could be a dartboard like his cousin Harold’s. So when a woman comes to the door collecting gifts for underprivileged children, Arthur is faced with the question: Is he the sort of boy that could give away his present — without ever having known what it was?

What a spectacular gift for a little boy or girl!!! 

Christmas Wish #1: Classics for the Home Library!

I've always been in loved with classics but always wished they had affordable and yet beautiful bound classics for me to collect and place in my library. Well, if you're the same way, you can do that now. Barnes and Noble have a whole collection of leather-bound classics and they are each just under $20. Both Anthropologie and Amazon also sell fabric-bound classical editions by Penguin Books. Anthropologie's lot cost $16.50 each while the ones at Amazon ranges between $12.50-$15.  It'd be a great Christmas gift to yourself and your family this season!!! 

A season of thanksgiving!

Today...

I am thankful for having a heater in my home, soft and comfy sheets, cuddly hubby + a snuggly baby!


An Awesome Book of Thanks! from Dallas Clayton

Duck's Alphabet

Developed by the U.S. Department of Education, this free site teaches phonic skills to your kids. Your child can learn the letters and the sounds together with Duck and Elephant through song and games!!! This site is perfect for children between the ages 2-5.

Anthropologie makes holiday reading fun!!!!

To find a participating store, go to Anthropologie to search for the nearest location to your home!