We all know the curiosity of a child. So many successful men, like Bill Gates, stress how important creative thinking is and how curiosity is a part of being a creative thinker. In an article on About.com, Bill Gates talked about how to promote creative thinking and innovation. Among his tips were “Read a non-fiction book every week, read …. read with pen and notebook in hand; jot down any idea that comes into your consciousness.” Leveled Reader has an entire section of non-fiction books for [Read More]
Does the controversy over rating teachers according to student test scores bypass the underlying issue of why teachers become teachers?
Recently, the USA Today newspaper printed pro and con editorials on rating teachers according to student test scores. As a result, letters to the editor have appeared. There is agreement with Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), that teachers need to be well-prepared. But, there are other influences affecting teacher competence: resources, policies, class size, community, economics and population to name a few. In one letter, an ex-teacher from Missouri [Read More]
“Spring” your child (or classroom) into reading with books that reflect this exciting season.
Don’t let "spring fever” make your child lose interest in books. Literacy is not a seasonal activity. Show the kids you care about how to keep spring in their hearts all year long with stories that reflect this great time of year. When I think of Spring, cool breezes on sunny days come to mind. And wild flowers along the road, lambs, calves, foals: baby animals. There is a feeling of wonderment. I think of how we, as teachers and parents, can share some of that wonderment with the children [Read More]
Lily says "3 R's just aren't enough when you want your kids to get excited about reading!"
It is Women in History Month. There are so many famous women in history to consider. One who comes to mind is Florence Nightingale…..and that reminds me that nurses are taught the five “R’s” as a way to avoid medication administration errors: right patient, right time and frequency, right dose, right route, and right medication. Well, when you think of it, the same can apply to elementary school age readers. To set the stage for success, you must provide the right book to the right child at the [Read More]
LILY—Launching Independent Literate Youth
Whether you are a teacher, parent, or supportive person in a child’s life, you want the best for that child. Part of offering the best is providing opportunities. One way to do this is through reading. Books open up the world, the universe to readers. They can be transported to different areas and times—or to their own area and time, knowing they are not alone. When choosing books for the child in your life, you might feel overwhelmed with the selection. Which book will be appropriate and hold [Read More]
Leveled Reader gets a little help from “Lily” choosing leveled books for March
March has so many birthdays, events and celebrations to acknowledge and, before we know it, April will be here! That’s too bad because there are so many books already leveled for you that, for instance, celebrate March’s ‘Women in History’ month. Lily just showed me the “Childhood of Famous Americans Ready-to-Read” book series. Wow. I got excited just looking at all the possibilities available in that series (even if there are a few books about men, too)! When Lily was looking for books on [Read More]
Guided reading programs can become boring – let Flat Stanley spice things up for teachers and parents who know it is hard work to keep kids interested in reading!
Part of our goal in being a “Leveled Book Resource” is to bring our teachers, parents and others that want to encourage kids to read ideas that help encourage today’s youth to spend time reading. Spring is almost here and Spring Fever might make your child want to do anything but read. Along with Spring, thoughts often turn to adventure and travel instead. You and your students or child may not be able to travel in the literal sense, but you can through books! One of our favorite choices [Read More]
As a teacher, parent or guardian of a child learning to read, do you realize your value?
“Indiscriminate reading is unprofitable to the mind.” Latin Proverb “The fact of knowing how to read is nothing; the whole point is knowing what to read.” - Jacques Ellul, 1912-1984, a French philosopher, law professor, sociologist, lay theologian, and WWII French Resistance leader. “Choose an author as you would a friend.” – Wentworth Dillion, 1630-1985, English poet born in Ireland. These quotes might be representative of how important your role is in helping your child or student [Read More]
Leveled books and music – March is "Music in Our Schools" Month
As educators, teachers know how important music is to the development of our youth. As a leveled book store, you may wonder why we would encourage teachers to acknowledge a month that celebrates music. Becuase we are more than a bookstore. We truly care about providing information to teachers and parents that will help them support the children in their lives to embrace reading with passion. There are a multitude of studies and sites dedicated to the value of music and music in education. [Read More]
Leveled reading resources for teachers celebrating February and Black History Month
February is quite the month for celebration. Not only is there Valentine’s Day, but it is the month in which two presidents are honored—and also to be honored is the history of African Americans. February is Black History Month. From our Leveled Reading selections, readers have an opportunity to learn about two famous African Americans, Sojourner Truth and Jackie Robinson. Did you know that Sojourner Truth’s birth name was Isabella Baumfree? She became an itinerant preacher during the [Read More]