Hello Book Bums families! This week’s newsletter has something for everyone: a deep dive into some nautical non-fiction, eclipse day ideas, teacher talk about syllables and phonemes, and some poetry and book recs as well. What would you like to see in an upcoming newsletter? Get in touch by replying to this email to let […]
Hello Book Bums families! Do you have a favorite author of children’s books? Kate DiCamillo is a favorite of ours. Today in the newsletter, Dr. Christy reflects on DiCamillo’s writing and what she values in it. We also share a simple strategy for helping your kids (and yourself) build memory muscles. Read on and enjoy! […]
Hello Book Bums families! If you’re part of the Book Bums family, you are likely already a reader and know the importance of books and language. Even so, I am often amazed at what studies show about the power of reading. Check out the benefits illustrated in this chart. Word of the Week eminent (em-ih-nuhnt) adjective/describing […]
Hello Book Bums families! We hope you are staying warm and safe during this very cold stretch. This week in the newsletter we’re turning our attention to the sweet business of maple syrup. We have book recommendations, poetry, and some modern technology to help with an age old practice. We love to hear from you! […]
Hello Book Bums families! This week in the newsletter we are thinking about bookshelves and reading lists and what our books say about us. Imagine if our books could really talk about us when we’re not around (like a book version of Toy Story)! Would your books praise you for taking them on adventures to […]
Mark Seidenberg said, “Parents who deliver their children to school on that momentous first day of kindergarten, proudly starting them on the venerable path to education, make a big mistake: they assume that their child’s teacher has been taught how to teach reading.” That sounds like an offensive statement made by one who’s criticizing some […]
1-1-21 I have a lot of friends and loved ones who are passionately chasing their dreams. Some sell cookies. (You go, girls!) One is making his mark on the fashion industry, while another is building his business in the world of golf. One is honing his computer skills to better serve within his place of […]
“My Kids Don’t Listen To Me!” When I speak of my desire to teach parents to teach their young kids to read, even before they enter a classroom, that’s the response that I often hear from parents. So why would kids respond to their teachers or tutors more readily than they would their moms […]
Every parent in my school community knows about sight words. They may be called star words, snap words, or something else, but we know what they are. Early childhood classrooms feature from 25 to more than 100 words students must know on sight by the end of the school year. That\’s not a problem-the fluent […]
My husband and I had a flat tire, and both of our phones were dead. (Note to self: Next overnight camping excursion- Bring phone chargers!) And, we had no spare tire. When a police officer stopped to ask if we needed help, we could not recall a single phone number of someone who could lend […]
Hello Book Bums families! One reason I love to read is that I can learn about people and places I’ll never experience, through books. Another I reason I love it is that I learn about myself. This week in the newsletter we’re thinking about how books can teach us about history, the natural world, and […]
Hello Book Bums families! Spring is springing all around in our local area. This week in the newsletter Dr. Christy digs into some spring dirt. We share some book recommendations to get you into your garden and a poem in praise of worms. As always, we’re thinking about words and learning. Reply to our newsletter […]
Hello Book Bums families! In this week’s newsletter we do some thinking about thinking, and Dr. Christy shares a book full of thinking skills for the twenty-first century. We also have ideas for creative ways to get your kiddos writing. As always, we learn about words and have fun with language. We’re so glad you’re […]
Hello Book Bums families! Poison ivy, birds’ eggs, and Easter ideas: this week’s newsletter is full of signs of spring! Dr. Christy shares ideas and resources for getting the most out of non-fiction reading this season as well as our regular book recommendations and word fun. Read on and enjoy! Word of the Week alleviate (uh-leev-e-ayt) […]
Hello Book Bums families! This week in the newsletter we share a book about a beloved childhood character, Winnie-the Pooh. There’s more to his story than you may know. We also think about building libraries of words, English language quirks, and springing forward. Word of the Week ebullient (e-bull-yent) adjective/describing word – cheerful and […]
Hello Book Bums families! Welcome March! March is, of course, the name of our third month; but it is also an action verb. Words in English often act as different parts of speech depending on how they’re used. As a fun challenge for your family, try to think of a word for each letter of […]
Hello Book Bums families! From snow to spring-like temperatures, it has been quite a February in the Cincinnati area. This week in the newsletter we’re thinking about the magic of the everyday world – from interesting words to creative writing, unusual magazines to celebratory songs. We hope you find something magical inside. Word of the […]