The Fall is such a refreshing time of year. I love the beautiful colors, the fresh, crisp air, just the change of seasons excites me. I also like the idea that I can pull out my bulky sweaters, tunics, and sweatshirts. Cozy is a word I could live with 24/7.

Cozy is also the way I like to feel when I read. Protected, comfortable, in a good place for me. I noticed the other day when I was showing an online book on my Smart Board, with the lights turned off, the windows open, fall colors outside, that my room felt cozy and the kids looked very comfortable.

The book I was reading was called Bugs for Lunch, published by Charlesbridge. It’s available on Big Universe and there’s even an online quiz that your students can take to determine how well they understand the book. A book about bugs may not sound cozy but the art work is so beautiful that you can imagine a hike in the woods on a cool fall day, or a picnic under a tree just beginning to drop its leaves.

Fall is a beautiful time of year and it’s a great time to renew your promise to read aloud to your children every day. As a teacher I make sure that I read aloud to my students at least three times a day.  I think the more language children hear spoken correctly, the better readers they will become themselves.