Interview with Carol Boles - Getting Kids to Read

Carol Boles is a former Reading Specialist and a freelance writer. As a former reading teacher I knew she would have some great ideas for getting kids to read. I interviewed her and she has some great suggestions you can use with your own family.

Tell my blog readers about your previous job as a Reading Specialist.

Carol: I was an elementary school Reading Specialist in several Kansas City area schools for eleven years.

Do you have suggestions for how parents can get their kids to read more during the remaining weeks of summer?

Carol: First, schedule a time the whole family can sit down and read together. Next, if they're just learning to read - read aloud to them. Also, parents need to help their children select books to read, then do some paired reading together. That is, read the text aloud with them. As you know, children love it when their parents give them their undivided attention.

Do you have tips for parents with reluctant readers?

Carol: Read aloud and do paired reading with them. Talk about what's going on in the stories. When parents participate in reading development, children are more apt to work on learning how to read.

What books do you recommend for kids (by age group)? Are there particular books that kids are really excited about?

Carol: The genre of magic is very popular now, i.e. Harry Potter. Really kids need to figure out what kinds of books they enjoy reading. However, parents need to help them figure this out by providing opportunities to browse books at the library and the bookstore. Get your child to the library or the children's section of the bookstore and browse the titles and read the book jacket description.

What do you think about kids reading serial novels, comic books, magazines and graphic novels?

Carol: I think it's great. It doesn't matter what they're reading as long as they're practicing reading. Although, I'm not sure what you mean when you say graphic novels.

How important is it for parents to read with young children (Kindergarten or 1st grade) who are just learning to read?

Carol: Very important - When parents read aloud to their children they are modelling good reading and showing their children reading is an important skill to develop.

How can a parent tell if their child is progressing appropriately with their reading skills?

Carol: If a child is on grade level then they can easily complete (have success) with reading exercises and reading related activities in school.

Do you have any other advice for parents who want their children to take more interest in reading?

Carol: Provide opportunities for them to read. Take them to the library and bookstores. Immerse them in literature.

Thank you for all of your great advice Carol and good luck with your writing career. I'm sure that as a former Reading Specialist you have great ideas for writing material that children will love.

If you want to read more of Carol's tips you can visit her blog at http://www.teacherspetplace.blogspot.com.

State Trivia

Following are a few questions about the fifty states in the United States of America. See how well you know your country.

1. Eight states in the United States have names that start with the letter "M". Can you name all eight of them?


2. What is the largest state?


3. What is the smallest state?


4. What was the first state?


5. What was the last state?


Answers:

1. Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana

2. Alaska

3. Rhode Island

4. Delaware on December 7, 1787

5. Hawaii on August 21, 1959

Animal Scramble

Each of the words below is a mixed up name of an animal. See if you can unscramble the letters to come up with the name of each animal.

1. GNNEPIU

2. MLALA

3. BAZER

4. HPEELATN

5. KMEOYN

6. KEANS

7. HPODILN

8. GTEIR

9. ROKNAGOA



Answers: penguin, llama, zebra, elephant, monkey, snake, dolphin, tiger, kangaroo

Playing Putt-Putt

Windmill turning,
Huge waterfall,
Putt-Putt is not
A sport at all.

It's too much fun
When my friends play
Laughing, running
Along the way.

Line up the shot
Hit the bright ball.
There's nothing to
This sport at all.

Wait a minute!
Watch the ball roll
It won't go in
That little hole.

I try and try
And try again.
This sport is hard
I didn't win.

Fit Families, Healthy Kids

It’s no secret that today’s generation of kids is more sedentary than past generations. Many children today spend a huge chunk of time sitting in front of televisions, computers, and video games. Physical education programs are being cut in schools across the country as schools try to squeeze in more time for academics. How can a parent encourage their children to become more active?

I believe that parents are fitness role models for their children. If kids see their parents enjoying an active lifestyle, they are more likely to be active themselves. So if you retire to the couch after dinner and lie around all evening watching sitcoms, don’t be surprised if you kids are couch potatoes too. Here are some suggestions of how you can get off the couch and encourage your family to live a more active lifestyle.

Do Household Chores Together

Instead of just asking your kids to clean their rooms, get them involved in more active household chores. Go outside and rake leaves together or shovel snow together in the winter. Younger kids can weed flower gardens while teenagers mow the lawn. If the whole family washes the car together, it will get done in no time. When you are finished with the outside chores, the whole family can celebrate by having a cookout in the backyard or going for a swim together.

Make Exercise a Game

Kids don’t need to go to a gym to get physically fit. They prefer activities that involve playing. Take your family to the park. Kids and adults will both enjoy slides, swings, and see-saws. You can take a kite on a windy day and take turns holding the string as you watch the kite glide across the sky.

Give Kids More Options

Kids are more likely to go outside and play if they have more options. They won’t get bored if you install a basketball hoop on the driveway, put a soccer net in the backyard or string a volleyball net across your pool. Invite other kids in the neighborhood over for a friendly game of basketball or soccer.

Go Camping Together

Taking a camping trip together is a great way to jump start your new active lifestyle together. Go for a long hike in the woods and take pictures of the wildlife. You could also take your mountain bikes along and ride on some trails. If your family likes the water, why not try a paddle boat or a canoe?

Take a Trip that Involves Walking

Instead of sitting home on the weekend watching TV, go on an outing together that involves a lot of walking. A visit to the zoo is a great way to combine walking and fun. Kids won’t even realize how much exercise they are getting. A water park is another great way to combine fun and exercise. Have you ever tried climbing all of those stairs to the top of the water slides? It’s a lot of work.

I hope that you try some of these activities with your family. Once you get up and start moving, it will become a habit. Your children will reap the benefits of your family’s new active lifestyle by becoming healthier and happier. Have fun!

Back to School Shopping on a Budget

Many parents dread the back to school shopping in August each year. The advertisements have already hit the newspapers this year. Ads for blue jeans and fall clothes are spilling out of the paper even though the temperature outside is in the triple digits. Don't despair, you can get through the school shopping season and even have a little money left over for yourself with careful planning.

The first step is to spend some time with your kids cleaning out their closets. Take an inventory of what they already have and what they really need. Their idea of needs and yours might be very different. For example, my daughter feels that needs new clothes even when her exisiting clothes fit fine. She is tired of her current wardrobe or thinks that fashions have changed. If your children are like this, the clothing inventory might take a little longer. Get them to agree to wear some of their old clothing and add some new pieces that they can mix and match.

Once you have your inventory it is time to start looking for sales. Compare the newspaper ads, and sales catalogues that come in the mail against your child's shopping list. Write a list of all the stores you plan to visit.

Before you head out the door, sit down with your children and let them know the exact amount of money you are willing to spend. Tell them that they get xxx amount of dollars for school shopping. You will hear moaning and complaining because it never seems like enough to them. Don't worry. Explain that if they want expensive tennis shoes or designer jeans, they will have to spend less on other items. This is a great budgeting lesson for them to learn. They can save money by buying socks, underwear, or tshirts in bulk from a warehouse type store.

Once you get to the stores, let your kids choose clothing they like. Never force them to buy an outfit that you like. It is not a bargain if it never leaves their closet. Make sure clothes fit a little bit roomy because children grow fast. The pants hemline should be long and shirts should be long in the waist.

Make sure that you stick to your list. If your kids try to deviate from the list your budget will suffer. Gently remind them that they already have five pairs of jeans and they need some more shirts.

Good luck with your shopping. Maybe I'll see you at the mall.

Every Story Must Come to an End

A story with a great ending is one that you will remember forever. Sometimes you know how you want your story to end before you write it. Listed below are fifteen endings for a story. Choose one of the endings and write a story to go with it.

1. I sunk my shovel into the dirt and heard the clunk of metal. Could it be the treasure chest?

2. I found my dog up in the tree with the neighbor's cat.

3. "I've never been so embarrassed in my life," said my mother.

4. I never knew my dad liked to explore caves as much as I do.

5. We saw flashlight beams coming towards us in the dark. We were saved!

6. The bus driver said, "I quit. This is the worst field trip I have ever been on."

7. My teacher laughed so hard she fell out of her chair.

8. As the boy walked away, he looked back over his shoulder at me.

9. The audience cheered as I took my bows.

10. "Thanks," he said. "I couldn't have done it without you."

11. "I'm sorry," I said.

12. I guess my little sister isn't so bad after all.

13. Today was probably the most exciting day of my life.

14. Next time I won't sleep in and miss all the excitement.

15. I waved goodbye as the moving van pulled out of sight.

A Bright Idea

Test your knowledge of inventors and inventions by matching each inventor with his famous invention. See if you can get them all right.

Inventors

1. Thomas Edison

2. Samuel Morse

3. Percy L. Spencer

4. Alexander Graham Bell

5. Eli Whitney

6. Steve Woxniak

7. Philo Farnsworth


Inventions

A. telephone

B. cotton gin

C. television

D. light bulb

E. personal computer

F. microwave oven

G. telegraph


Answers:

1. (D)
2. (G)
3. (F)
4. (A)
5. (B)
6. (E)
7. (C)

Don't Waste Your Summer Vacation

Summer is half over. Has your family done a lot of fun activities together? Well don't worry if you haven't. There's still time. I have some suggestions for what you can do during your last four or five weeks of lazy summer vacation.

A Trip to the Zoo

Families never get tired of trips to the zoo. Even if you went last summer and the summer before that. Zoos animals have new babies, zoos add new attractions, and your kids are older and will notice different things. So, if you haven't made it to the zoo this summer, you still have time.

Catch Fireflies Together

Help your kids slow down their pace by spending a lazy evening outside. Give them some glass or plastic containers and let them try to catch fireflies after the sun goes down. Just make sure that they let them go at the end of the evening.

Start a Garden

A family garden is a hobby that the whole family can enjoy. Go to the nursery together and let everyone choose what they want to plant. You could plant a flower garden or a vegetable garden. Even the smallest hands can help by watering seeds or plants.

Trip to the Toy Store

Nothing beats boredom like a new toy. Even grownups can find something at a toy store to entertain themselves. Buy a new boardgame that the whole family can enjoy or a 1,000 piece puzzle. There are endless possibilities for summer fun like sidewalk chalk, bubbles, scooters, etc.

Create a Travel Scrapbook

If your family has already taken a vacation, you probably have lots of pictures that could use a home. Spend an evening together creating a family scrapbook. Everyone in the family can add designs and special momentos from their trip.

Weekend Camping Trip

If your family hasn't taken a summer vacation, maybe you would have time for a short weekend camping trip. You could even do a daytime camping trip if mom and dad have to work in the summer. Load up the car with fishing poles, bathing suits, hiking gear, and great food to grill. Don't forget the marshmallows!

Stargazing
Summer evenings are perfect for gazing at the stars. Your family could lie out in the backyard on a blanket and point out the various constellations. You could also purchase a reasonably priced telescope and a book about the stars. It's a nice way to reconnect with each other and have a chance to talk.

I hope your family enjoys one or more of these activities. Have a great summer!

Firefighter Birthday Party

What child doesn’t look up to the brave firefighters? Let your birthday boy or girl get a chance to imitate their hero. You and your guests will put out fires, rescue babies and enjoy some refreshments when your work is done. What a hot party!

INVITATIONS

You will need white, red, and orange construction paper, glue and a red marker. Cut out orange and red construction paper in the shape of a fire. Glue them on the bottom of the invitation. Across the top write the words: Where’s the Fire? It’s at ____’s Firefighter Birthday Party. Include the date and time of the party, your address, and R.S.V.P. and your phone number.

DECORATIONS

Hang red and orange “fire” streamers from the ceiling. Use red plastic fire hats as place settings at the table. (You might be able to get these from a local fire station). Print the name of a different guest on each hat. The Fire Engine cake can be the centerpiece of the table.

Dalmatian Dog Place Mats

You will need black and white construction paper. Cut white construction paper into a large circle. Using a black marker, draw a face of a Dalmatian dog onto the paper. Cut out black ears and black spots to glue onto your dog’s face. Put a small piece of pink paper for the tongue.

MENU

Serve “Fire House Dogs” (recipe below) with potato chips and a fruit plate. For the grand finale, serve “Put out the Fire Punch” and Fire Engine Cake.

Fire House Dogs

Use 2 packages of refrigerated crescent roll dough and 2 packages hot dogs. Heat oven to 375 degrees. Wrap each hot dog in a crescent roll and place on a cookie sheet. Bake for 14 to 16 minutes. Serve with ketchup and mustard.

Put out the Fire Punch

Mix 2 liters of ginger ale with one pint of strawberry ice cream.

Fire Engine Cake

Bake a sheet cake using your favorite mix. Frost the cake with white icing. Using red cake decorator icing from a tube, draw the outline of a fire engine on the cake. Oreo cookies can be used for the wheels.

ACTIVITIES

Save the Baby

Time children as they race through the obstacle course to save a baby (doll). This can be set up in the backyard. Children can climb a ladder and go down a slide then climb through a tunnel (empty box set on its side) then they will use the hose to pretend to put the fire out before they save the baby. The little firefighter that completes the obstacle course in the shortest time will win a small prize.

Hot Potato

Have children stand in a circle. Set a kitchen timer for a minute or two. Use a stuffed Dalmatian dog to play the game of Hot Potato. Children will toss the animal around the circle until the timer goes off. The child holding the animal when the timer goes off must sit down. Continue playing until only one child is standing. Give a prize to the winner.

Stop, Drop and Roll

Divide the children into two teams. This game is to be played outside in a yard. An adult calls out “Fire, Fire. Stop, drop and roll.” The first child from each team will lie on their side and roll down a hill until they get to a designated spot. They stand up and call out the same thing to their next team member, who then rolls down the hill. This continues until all of the children have finished the race. The first team to have all of their members down the hill wins the relay. This will also reinforce the important concept of stop, drop and roll.

Dalmatian Dog Mask

Copy a picture of a Dalmatian dog from coloring book pages onto thick paper. Have children color masks with crayons or markers. Help them cut the masks out. Be sure to cut out holes for the eyes. Punch a hole on each side of the mask with a hole puncher. Measure off two pieces of string that are eight inches long. Tie one piece of string through each hole. Place the mask over the child’s face and tie behind their head. Children can pretend to be Dalmatian dogs.

FAVORS

Guests can take hoe the red plastic firefighter hats they wore during the party. Other ideas are squirt guns, fireball candy, and fire safety coloring books, which you can get from a fire station.

Logic Puzzles for Kids

Just because it's summer, doesn't mean you can't give your brain a workout. Try to solve these fun logic puzzles. The answers are at the bottom.

How Old Is Jessica?

Nicole's father is four times older than Nicole is.
Nicole's sister Jessica is 2 years younger than she is.
Nicole's father is 36.
How old is Jessica?



Tara's Money

Tara has ten coins that add up to $1.00. Six of the coins are dimes. What are the other four coins?


Easy as Pie

A mother had four children. She served pie for dessert after dinner one night. She sliced the pie into pieces. Tom got 1/2 of the pie, Lauren got 1/4 of the pie, Nick got 1/4 of the pie and Stephanie got 1/4 of the pie. When the mother finished serving pie she put 3/4 of a pie away in the cupboard. How is this possible?


A Litter of Kittens

How many kittens does Rachel have if all are brown except three, all are white except three, all are black except three, and all are gray except three?


Answers:

How Old is Jessica: Nicole is 9 because 4 x 9 = 36

Tara's Money: They are also dimes.

Easy as Pie: The mother baked 2 pies.

A Litter of Kittens: 4 kittens: one brown, one white, one black and one gray.