Two New Book Recommendations!

Hello Readers,

I want to share two book recommendations written by one of my students. Fiona has really taken off with her reading! When I first started working with Fiona I learned that she enjoys creepy, scary books with a mystery. So, I introduced her to the Poison Apple series. Fiona has taken off  with her reading! She has read the first two and she is currently reading number three. She has waiting in her “books to be read” pile numbers four through six and in August, number seven!

Here are Fiona’s recommendations:

I’m definitely going to recommend this book to my students!

Vampires are still alive and well in the kids’ world of reading! This one is in my “to read” pile.

I hope you enjoy these books as much as Fiona. Send me a comment about which is your favorite book in the Poison Apple series.

Happy Reading,

Kathleen

Book Recommendation

Hello,

I would like to share with you a website for parents and kids that is filled with great resources for both. The website is called Keen Readers and here is the link: http://www.keenreaders.org/

I also want to share my book review on the site.  Here is that link:  http://www.keenreaders.org/youth/book-reviews.

I plan to write more book reviews and recommendations.  I invite you to visit the site regularly for more great books to read!

Happy Reading,

Kathleen

Student Success Story

Hello,

It’s been a while, I know.  But all for good reasons, one that I want to share with you.

I have a 5th grade student who has been struggling to find her niche in reading.  Part of her wants to read what her friends are reading.  Part of her wants to read books that are “at her reading level” and part of her wants to read magazines, ALL THE TIME!  Well, this is all good reading, but she was not enjoying the process of reading.  So, I took her on a field trip!

Last week we spent nearly two hours at the Seattle Public Library, main branch.  We first took a tour to the tenth floor and enjoyed the view to the first floor!  If you’ve ever been to this library or seen pictures of it, it’s made mostly of glass and concrete. The view can make the weak-kneed a bit quivery.  It was a short stay at the top before we walked the spiral ramp down.  We stopped along the way to visit the rare books collection and old magazines and newspapers before finding ourselves in the children’s section. 

The children’s section is like a mini library all on its own.  We spent the majority of our time browsing everything from biographies, plays, graphic novels, comic books, picture books, and chapter books.  Eventually, I looked at the time and gave my student a choice, to go to the teen section then meet her mother in 30 minutes or ask for more time, continue browsing in the children’s section, visit the teen section, have a snack at the café, then meet her mom.  She opted for more time!  A quick call and we had another 45 golden minutes!

With our collection of books in tow we rode the elevator up to the teen section.  My student used the computer to find specific books she had in mind as well as browse the shelves for whatever sparked an interest for her. 

With a stack of books from all the sections, my student checked-out her books with her brand new library card.  Luckily, she brought with her a tote bag to carry all her books!

With 15 minutes to spare, we each enjoyed a beverage, chatted about our ‘new friends’ that were going home with us and reflected on our afternoon.  All too soon, our time was up and our field trip came to an end.

I chatted with my student’s mother the next day and she shared how excited her daughter was about the library and the books she brought home.  My student also shared with me that she had a great time and would like to go back.  But, best of all, my student is reading every day and enjoying the experience!

Happy Reading,

Kathleen

Reluctant Reader Success Story!

Hello Readers,

I want to share one of my success stories.  I have a student in the 5th grade who is not excited about reading in general.  Well, not until last week.  We’ve been working together trying different genres and readers’ workshop activities.  Her interest would be short-lived.  Then, I scaled back the reading expectations placed on her.  leisurely pace of enjoying picture books. 

Twice a week we would meet in the morning before school, sipping hot tea and reading picture books to each other.  We revisited old favorites for both of us, like MADELINE and CHRYSANTHEMUM and some new favorites. My student’s reading confidence increased along with her enjoyment of reading.

This lead me to introduce her to comic books.  My husband introduced comics to me when we first met and now I have my favorites.  I shared those with my student.  She chose MODELS, INC. to start.  She devoured the first four issues.  When I saw her two days later she was asking to read SPIDER-GIRL!

I’m very excited for my student and her new found interest in reading.  She is able to talk about the story, the problems the characters must solve, setting, and character traits of these non-conventional characters.

I hope this success story helps facilitate other reluctant readers and their teachers and parents. 

Happy Reading,

Kathleen

Mid-Winter Crochet Club!

Hello,

You may recall reading in my blog a couple of years ago about how I taught my fourth grade students how to crochet and combined that with literacy.  It was so successful, that I continued the lesson the following year with my group of third and fourth graders. 

Now that I have left the classroom to tutor and write fulltime, I can offer crochet classes during the school breaks.  I taught two sessions over the past holiday season and it was quite successful.  Everyone had a great time and learned the basics to make coasters, hats, and scarves!  We sat around the fire, listened to holiday music and read holiday picture books.  Oh, and I mustn’t forget the yummy hot cocoa and snacks, too!

My next crochet session is coming up soon.

Here is the flyer with all the information.

As you can see, even Sleepy Bear and Moosey-Moose benefit from the crochet club!  Sleepy Bear is loving his new hat that I let him borrow.  And Moosey-Moose loves his shoes – but he lost one in the snow!  Maybe a student will crochet him a new pair!

Tell your friends and sign up early.  I look forward to seeing you over the mid-winter break.

Happy Reading and Crocheting,

Kathleen

Children, Theater, Travel, Writing, Oh My!

Hello,

I hope your new year is of go a fabulous beginning!  Mine is zipping along at a good clip, but it’s all good. 

I have been very busy acting as Sleepy Bear’s assistant and chaperone.  As you might already know, he has been acting as a contributing blogger for the Seattle Public Theater and Broadway Bound Children’s Theater.  He thoroughly enjoys visiting the kids during their rehearsals and then watching in the audience their opening night performance.  Sleepy Bear is learning so much about what goes on behind the scenes and he loves sharing his experiences with his readers.  I invite you to visit his blog to read his latest show.

Moosey-Moose returned from his travels in France and is now chompin’ at the bit to get going again.  Except, he doesn’t know where to go!  If you have suggestions, please write to him and let him know.  In the meantime, he’s also busy writing his chapter book for kids.  He has writer’s block right now and is stuck on some plot points.  He has asked me to help him out.  Greeeaat!  I get to do all the hard parts.  Well, luckily for me, Moosey-Moose is tons of fun to work with so I don’t mind.

When I’m not acting as chaperone or ghost writer, I’m busy tutoring kids in elementary and middle school, tap dancing, crocheting, taking my puppy for walks and training sessions, and enjoying free time with my husband.

Happy Reading!

Kathleen

Student Recommended Reading

Hello,

Once again one of my students has written a wonderful book recommendation. The book is NEEDLE AND THREAD by Ann M. Martin.  This is the second book in the Main Street series.  Girls ages 8 – 12 thoroughly enjoy reading about Ruby and Flora.  If you were a fan of The Boxcar Children, then you’ll love Main Street, too.

Here is what Kyra has to say about NEEDLE AND THREAD:

Kyra, very nicely written.  I can’t wait to find out what happens in book #3.

Happy Reading,

Kathleen