10 Tips for Reading Aloud to Children

These 10 tips are taken from a book mark that I purchased from Usborne Books & More and is based on
 "Thirty DO's to Remember When Reading Aloud" by Jim Trelease.  He has a wonderful website that gives more information on reading aloud.  To read more go to www.trelease-on-reading.com

1.  Remember:  The art of listening is acquired.

2.  The first time you read a book, discuss the cover illustration.

3.  Read slowly enough for the child to build mental pictures.

4.  Use plenty of expression, change your tone of voice, and adjust your pace to fit the story.

5.  Encourage involvement; invite the child to turn pages for you.

6.  Ask "What do you think is going to happen next?"

7.  During repeat readings of a predictable book, stop at key phrases and allow the child to provide the words.

8.  If you can't finish a chapter, find a suspenseful spot at which to stop.

9.  Paper, crayons and pencils allow active children to keep their hands busy while listening.

10.  Reading aloud comes naturally to very few people.  To do it with ease takes practice.  It's worth it!

St. Patrick's Day Fun!

Today we had some fun making 2 different types of Shamrock crafts!

For the first one, we cut out a shamrock from white paper.

Glued it to a piece of green paper

Spread glue all over the top of the shamrock

The sprinkled crushed eggshells, dyed green, all over the top.

Turned out pretty!

The second one, we cut out four egg cups from an egg container

We painted the foursome green

The girls decided to sprinkle the leftover eggshells all over these shamrocks too!

When they dried, we put green pipe cleaner stems on.

Turned out pretty!  Love that creativity!

Musical Shakers!

Children love to make nice sounding music! 

These shakers are cheap and easy to make and make a really appealing sound.

Start with empty Easter eggs -now is a great time to get these!  Fill each one half full with rice.  Glue the eggs shut. 

Put on some music and start dancing and shaking!

Match the Sounds!

This "Match the Sound" game helps children listen carefully and pick out differences in the sounds.

Start with a bag of empty Easter eggs.

Gather different objects to put inside the eggs.  Ideas:  pennies, buttons, beads, beans, rice, cut-up straws, safety pins, barrets and cut-up toothpics. 

Fill at least 2 eggs with the same objects.

The Game:  Have the children take turns shaking the eggs and finding two that sound the same.  Carefully open the eggs to see if they guessed correctly!

Dancing Streamers!

Children have a natural ability to move to music.  They hear the rhythms and beats and must sway and bee-bop around.  They love to use these streamers.

The streamers are fun to make and fun to dance with!

Supplies:  paper towel or toilet paper rolls, paint, paintbrush, strips of tissue paper, glue and stickers.

Start by painting the rolls different colors.

Glue the streamers on the inside.

Then decorate with stickers and pens.

Time to get moving!  We danced to different types of songs such as Blue Danube, Bach's Taccato in D Minor, Carnival of the Animals and Pachabel's Cannon.  Pick fast and slow songs, cheerful and dark.  The children will move differently to the different sounds.

Bean Box Treasure Hunt Update!

Some children must experience textures with their whole bodies!

This definitely describes my Shelli.  She is always rolling in mud, bark, paint and now beans!

Yes, she has paint all over her face!

The biggest treasure in the treasure box!

Meet Children's Author Laura Numeroff!!

For those of you in the Sacramento area, there will be a chance to meet the author of If you Give a Mouse a Cookie, Laura Numeroff!   She will read her newest book, The Jellybeans and the Big Book Bonanza and others.

This is a free program for the whole family.

What a great way to get your children excited about a book!

Take them to meet a real author!

The program will be at:

The Central Library at 828 I Street, Sacramento.
March 12, 2010
Friday, 6pm
Seating begins at 5:30pm