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Let’s Celebrate Poetry!
According to the Crayola.com Calendar, April is Poetry Month! From the Crayola.com Calendar page, you can find coloring pages, crafts, and lesson plans to use to Celebrate Poetry. On Big Universe, you...
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Variations on a Classic
There are many Cinderella stories. Not just variations within one culture, but variations across cultures. A Christmas Carol has been done over and over again: it’s been modernized and humor-ized,...
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Capture Spring with Poetry and Pictures!
Dogwood blossoms are part of the beauty of spring, a season that has inspired poets and artists for eons. (Hannah Woodard Photography) “Spring has returned. The Earth is like a child that knows...
View ArticleGet Your Students to Write Poetry
It’s National Poetry Month! I’m a firm believer that teachers should take advantage of this time to not only have students read and study great poetry and poets, but to also write poetry. This...
View ArticlePoetic Memories
The end of the school year can be filled with all sorts of emotions for children: excitement, worry, sadness, joy. These students have been with each other all year and now it’s time to move on into...
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Big Universe Showcases Father’s Day Books
Illumination Arts and Big Universe partner to showcase a book lauding the love of a father. “I will be your Daddy for as long as you want me to. But, I will be your Father forever.” That’s the text on...
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The Family Read Aloud with Toddlers, Tweens, and Teens
This is an updated version of a post I wrote for the PBS Parents blog Booklights. The original article appeared in August 2010. Reading aloud is not only a great way to model reading, it can be lots...
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Picking Books to Read As a Family
This is an updated version of a post I wrote for the PBS Parents blog Booklights. The original article appeared in August 2010. As I mentioned last week, reading with your kids – even when there are...
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Halloween Onomonopia
Onomonopia, it is such a freaky word, But on Halloween, to not use it would simply be absurd. There are so many sounds that we hear around this spooky time. You should use it in your writing, or while...
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Book Review: Books for the Jr. Investigator
There are two facts we know about kids. They have lots of questions. They love (corny) jokes. One of the best ways to tap into their natural curiosity and sense of humor is with a book. They may be...
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A Swimming Lullaby Sees a Cactus in a Feather Bed?
Since April is poetry month . . . What is a poem? What is a poem to you? Can you think of a poem? Does it have to rhyme? Does it have rhythm? Does a poem paint a picture with words? Can a poem be a...
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Reading Essentials Part 2: Providing a Variety of Books
From toddlers to teens, all children will benefit from a bookshelf that offers an interesting variety of books. It is important to allow kids to choose their own books, and there are several ways we...
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Using Poetry to Teach: Phonemic Awareness
Poetry is a creative and meaningful way for children to build a strong foundation for literacy. Children love the natural rhythm of poems and songs, and poetry that rhymes is especially appealing to...
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Reading Essentials: Creating A Successful Classroom Library
A classroom library should be inviting, comfortable, and highly visible. Let students know that book are valued and reading is important. A well planned classroom or home library can improve reading...
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Using Poetry to Teach: Characterization
Describing Characters With Poetry Describing characters in a story is an essential component of reading comprehension. When readers use clues from the text to determine what a character is like,...
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Developing Successful Readers
Strategies That Families Can Use To Teach Reading Before children are born, families can interest them in reading. Mothers can even read to their children when they are in the womb. Helping children to...
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Funny Poetry For Kids
Get Kids Excited About Reading With Humorous Lines and Lyrics Students of all ages love poetry! Even adults enjoy the humorous lines. Parents and educators can get children excited about reading by...
View ArticleGet Your Students to Write Poetry
It’s National Poetry Month! I’m a firm believer that teachers should take advantage of this time to not only have students read and study great poetry and poets, but to also write poetry. This...
View ArticlePoetic Memories
The end of the school year can be filled with all sorts of emotions for children: excitement, worry, sadness, joy. These students have been with each other all year and now it’s time to move on into...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Big Universe Showcases Father’s Day Books
Illumination Arts and Big Universe partner to showcase a book lauding the love of a father. “I will be your Daddy for as long as you want me to. But, I will be your Father forever.” That’s the text on...
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