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Posted on August 31, 2010 by Suzan Woodard in Big Universe News, General, Literature, Reading Lists.
Tags: Big Universe, Book a Day, Confucius, Elephant, Grandparents Day, Literacy, National Book Festival, Native American, New Books, Online Children's Books, picture books, September Celebrations
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Big Universe has added a broad range of new books to its online library recently – thanks to publishing partners attuned to children’s vast interests and the wish lists of teachers. I have marveled at this website’s diverse inventory and decided to put it to the test.
“I wonder if I can find a book to coincide with each day in September?” I mused. “…Something to coincide with the holidays, historical anniversaries and other special observations from Sept. 1-30?”
Here’s what I found!
Sept. 1 – This day is set aside to remember the iconic verses of “Mary’s Lamb” – now referred to as “Mary Had a Little Lamb.” According to Rita Smith, the curator of the University of Florida’s Baldwin Collection of Children’s Literature, the poem was written by Sarah Josepha Hale and published in the September 1830 issue of a periodical titled “The Juvenile Miscellany.” Try these wooly tales to celebrate the anniversary: “Sheep,” “The Ultimate Mother Goose Collection,” (Twin Sisters) “Lambs” (Bellwether) or “Bad Day at Arnold’s Sheep Ranch” (Remedia).
Sept. 2 – The Great Fire of London started on this day in 1666. Prior to modern day safety practices, many other cities around the world experienced similar fires. Read “The Fire Department” or “Surviving the Great Chicago Fire” (Rourke) – depending on the age and maturity of the reader.
Sept. 3 – It’s the 350th anniversary of the founding of the Royal Society, an international network of top scientists, engineers and medical professionals who “exist to expand knowledge (and) support science.”Read “The Nervous System,” (Bellwether) “In Arctic Waters” (Sylvan Dell) or anything else in Big Universe’s math or science sections.
Sept. 4 – In 1893, English author Beatrix Potter first told “The Tale of Peter Rabbit” as a “picture letter” to the son of her former governess. Almost 120 years later, the classic is read all over the world in many languages. Big Universe has the book among its audible “Read Alouds.” This version is recited in Mandarin Chinese! Potter’s “The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin,” however, is recited in English. (MightyBook)
Sept. 5 – The Salmon Festivalis being held in historic Eastport, Maine. Read “The Life Cycle of a Salmon.” (Bellwether)
Sept. 6 – Today is Labor Day, a federal holiday. Read “Workers” (Teacher Created Materials) or other books about people in the work force, such as “Test Pilot” or “Forest Firefighter.” (Weekly Reader)
Sept. 7 – Today is the third annual National Clean Energy Summitin Las Vegas, Nevada. To learn more about eco-friendly power and caring for the earth, read “Going Green.” (Rourke)
Sept. 8 – International Literacy Day is celebrated worldwide on Sept. 8. Founded by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), this observance was initiated to highlight the necessity of improving literacy on a global basis. Read “ABC Safari” (Sylvan Dell) or any other book on Big Universe.
Sept. 9 – This date marks singing legend Elvis Presley’s first appearance on the “Ed Sullivan Show” in 1956. Read the graphic-style book “Elvis Presley Graphic Biography” to learn more about this music celebrity. (Saddleback)
Sept. 10 – Charlotte, N.C., is holding its annual Literary Festival this weekend. Join the observation by reading “The War of the Worlds (Illustrated Classic),” “Macbeth,” “Hamlet (Illustrated Classic),” or “Julius Caesar.” (Saddleback)
Sept. 11 – It’s Raptor Weekend at the Environmental Education Center in Bristol, R.I., featuring live flight presentations and other educational activities. To learn more about birds of prey, read “Eaglets” (Bellwether), “Eagles,” “Hawks,” “Kites” or “Owls.” (Rourke)
Sept. 12 – Grandparents Day is celebrated on the first Sunday after Labor Day. “How Far to Heaven” (Illumination Arts) is a beautiful love story between a grandmother and her grandchild, and the illustrations and words in “Grandma’s Feather Bed” (Dawn Publications) will make you smile.
Sept. 13 – Chiang Kai-Shek became the president of China on this day in 1943. To read more about this large, fascinating and complex country, read “China” (Bellwether) and another book also titled “China” published by Teacher Created Materials.
Sept. 14 – On this day in 1984, Joseph Kittinger set off on a record-making trip from Caribou, Maine, in the cabin of a helium balloon. Four days later he landed in Italy, becoming the first man to fly solo across the Atlantic in a balloon. To learn more about hot air balloons, read “Hot Air Ballooning.” (Rourke)
Sept. 15 – The United Nations has designated Sept. 15 at the International Day of Democracy. Read “Why are Elections Important?” (Weekly Reader)
Sept. 16 – To observe Collect Rocks Day, consider reading “Julie the Rockhound” (Sylvan Dell) or “Rocks, Minerals and Soil.” (Rourke)
Sept. 17 – It’s Constitution Day. Read “What is a Constitution?” (Weekly Reader)
Sept. 18 – This year, Oktoberfest begins on Sept. 18 in Germany, and festivities will continue until Oct. 3. Learn more about Germany in the Bellwether’s book “Germany.”
Sept. 19 – Aye, mate! It’s International Talk Like a Pirate Day. Read the funny story “Lucky the Pirate” (Remedia), or go to the Big Universe blog titled “Ahoy! Pirate Books for Boys (and Girls).”
Sept. 20 – It’s been 37 years since Wimbledon champion Billie Jean King, 25, defeated 55-year-old Bobby Riggs – also a Wimbledon and U.S. Open champion – in an exhibition tennis match in Houston, Texas, demonstrating women’s ability to play high-caliber tennis – even against a man (and win). Young fans of this sport may like to read “Tennis.” (Bellwether)
Sept. 21 – What better way to celebrate International Peace Day than reading books about children, homes and places around the globe. Try “We Share One World” (Illumination Arts), “Kids Around the World,” “Homes Around the World” and “Places Around the World.” (Teacher Created Materials)
Sept. 22 – Today is Elephant Appreciation Day. Read “Critters Up Close – Elephants”(Zoobooks) or “The First Elephant,” an animated story by author and Big Universe member Rick Walton.
Sept. 23– German astronomer Johann Golle discovered Neptune in 1846. Read about this planet in the book “Neptune” (Bellwether) or “Going Around the Sun: Some Planetary Fun.” (Dawn Publications)
Sept. 24 –Native American Day is a celebration to honor the first Americans. Read the treasure of information in “Rourke’s Native American History and Culture Encyclopedia, Volume 1-10,” including Native American legends in the back of each book. They are an outstanding resource for reports.
Sept. 25 – The Library of Congress is sponsoring today’s National Book Festival on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., a celebration of “the joy of reading.” Read “ABC Letters in the Library” (Lobster Press) or any other book you please!
Sept. 26: The fourth Saturday in September is International Rabbit Day. Read “Rabbits,” (Bellwether), “My Little Rabbit,” (Mathew Price) or “Caring for Your Rabbit.” (Bellwether)
Sept. 27 – On Sept. 27, 1862, in Greytown, South Africa, a little boy named Louis Botha was born. He grew up to become the first prime minister of South Africa, 1910-1919. While Big Universe does not have a specific book about Botha or South Africa, its non-fictions “Mansa Musa, Leader of Mali” and “Sub-Saharan Africa” (Teacher Created Materials) paint some historical background for those exploring the great continent of Africa.
Sept. 28 – It’s National Good Neighbor Day. Whether your neighbor is across a fence or sitting at the desk next to you, thoughtfulness and being kind are important facets of social interaction. Read “One Smile” (Illumination Arts) by author Cindy McKinley and illustrator Mary Gregg Byrne. This book has been read more than 3,500 times on BigUniverse.com and rates 5 out of 5 stars!
Sept. 29 – It’s Confucius Day, and you can read about this Chinese philosopher in a book titled “Confucius, Chinese Philosopher” by Wendy Conklin, M.A., and Gisela Lee, M.A. (Teacher Created Materials)
Sept. 30 – National Mudpack Day is an obscure observance with little traceable history. So, pardon my artistic license when I suggest you read a few books about pigs instead of packing on the facial goo! “Piggies in the Pumpkin Patch” (Charlesbridge) is a new addition to Big Universe’s shelves. Or read “When Pigs Fly” (Lobster Press) or “Piglets” by Colleen Sexton. (Bellwether)
That wraps it up. Have a wonderful month sharing the joy of reading. There’s something for everyone.
Hurricanes are a remarkable force of nature. The combination of powerful winds, waves and tides can wreak havoc.
As the country marks the fifth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina’s landfall on the Gulf Coast, many are keeping their eyes on Hurricane Earl, which is churning its way through the northern Caribbean. Forecasters say there is a chance the storm will make itself known off the coast of North Carolina about mid-week.
News like this provides an opportunity to teach children. Teachers who keep one ear tuned to current events will find a vast resource to enrich lessons, making them vibrant and relative to life.
It is wise to keep your second ear trained on conversations your students are having amongst themselves. They hear their parents talking and see lots of images on TV. Age-appropriate lessons from a trusted adult can help children sort out facts, fiction and even gale-force worries. Allow adequate time for initial questions and the opportunity for followup conversation.
My family and I experienced a tropical storm firsthand in 2002. We had been living in Barbados for only about six weeks when Lili hit the island. We were in a strong house, but the roar of the storm was deafening on our tin roof. The storm gained momentum after it passed over, eventually reaching Category 4 status over the Gulf of Mexico.
I was schooling my two daughters for the year that we were abroad, so the storm prompted lots of questions and teaching moments.
– How fast is the wind?
– When will the rain stop?
– Where did the hurricane come from?
– Why don’t we have electricity?
– What happened to that person’s house?
– Who will clear the roads?
– Why can’t we go to the beach?
– Where do the birds, sea turtles and monkeys go during the storm?
– Has anyone else ever had a storm like this?
While I could answer some of the questions, it would have been great to pull up an online children’s book to help explore the topic – once the lights came back on. Big Universe now offers several books that would have done nicely!
- The Bellwether book “Hurricanes” by Kay Manolison describes how hurricanes form and behave. Part of Bellwether’s Blastoff! Readers series, the text is aimed at Level 4 readers. The author uses a variety of sentence patterns and expanded vocabulary and punctuation. The graphics are highly appealing. This would have been just right for my new fourth-grader.
- Rourke Publishing’s “Surviving the Galveston Hurricane” by Jo Cleland would have been intriguing to my sixth-grader (AFTER our storm hit and everything quieted down). Cleland, a professor emeritus of reading education at Arizona State University West, worked in public education for 20 years prior to her university work. She continues to engage children through storytelling. “What we learn with delight, we never forget,” she says.
- “Ready, Set…WAIT! What Animals Do Before a Hurricane” is another storm-themed book on Big Universe’s library shelves. The illustrations by Connie McLennan are charming, and the text written by Patti Zelch is insightful. The extra information in the back of the book allows teachers to expand their lesson plans in many directions. Sylvan Dell Publishing also provides quizzes and cross-curricular activities online.
To read more about ways to use current events to add life to your teaching, read “10 Ways to Use Current Events in the Classroom” or Melissa Edwards’ blog titled “It is All About Making Connections …”. She writes, “When students make connections with the books they read, their understanding, comprehension and recall of the information increases.” Preach it, Melissa!
“I believe, now more than ever, in the transformative promise of geography,” said Eric Weiner, the author of “The Geography of Bliss: One Grump’s Search for the Happiest Places in the World.” He went on to write:
“Change your location and you just may change yourself. It’s not that distant lands contain some special energy or that their inhabitants possess secret knowledge (though they may), but rather something more fundamental. By relocating ourselves, reorienting ourselves, we shake loose the shackles of expectation. Adrift in a different place we give ourselves permission to be different people.”
I believe this wholeheartedly, and I think it is vital that children have an understanding of life beyond their town, state, country and continent. Although travel in the physical sense may not be a blessing that everyone can afford, educating students about other countries and cultures is affordable. In fact, it’s downright profitable. It fosters understanding, peace and good global citizenship.
Mark Twain was on the same page.
“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one’s lifetime.”
St. Augustine’s thinking was similar. “The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page,” he said.
Big Universe’s approach to education echoes this sentiment:
“Our desire is to use children’s books online as a way to connect the next generation – our children – and help them look past the differences between our various cultures and instead focus on our similarities, so we can come together to explore our big universe.”
Recent additions to Big Universe’s library broaden resources for teachers trying to put together a well-rounded social studies curriculum that will stretch their kids’ horizons. Check out these cross-cultural and geography-related books. They’ll take your students on all sorts of travels, expanding their vocabularies, perspectives, dreams and ideas about this great big earth that we live on.
“Keys and Symbols on Maps” (Rourke)
“Kids Around the World” (Teacher Created Materials)
“Maps are Flat, Globes are Round” (Rourke)
“Japan” (Bellwether)
“We Share One World” (Illumination Arts)
“Machu Picchu…The Lost City of the Incas” (Mighty Book)
“Counting the Continents” (Rourke)
“North, South, East and West” (Rourke)
“India” (Teacher Created Materials)
“Canada” (Bellwether)
“Secret of the Dance” (Orka Book)
“Israel” (Bellwether)
“Around the World with Money” (Rourke)
“England” (Bellwether)
“Greece” (Teacher Created Materials)
Big Universe also carries Step-by-Step Reading Corner books in a variety of languages, for example: “Oranges for Everyone” in Arabic, “Dorothy and the Glasses” in Polish and “The Icicle” in Spanish. To find additional books in alternative languages, go to the website’s “Read” section and browse by language.
Here we go! Summer is winding down, and the school year is gearing up. It’s kind of like January, just a whole heck of a lot hotter.
While it’s inevitable that the new year will pose some challenges, the first day of school brings to mind the old saying, “Starting with a clean slate.” All things are new and fresh. All things are possible.
The spontaneity of summer days is fun – but it’s sorta like hearing an improv session on the bongo drums. A little goes a long way.
The upcoming school year, however, resembles a really good drum corps that unifies syncopated cadences with a solid bass beat. The sound is powerful and engaging, inspiring people to dance, clap and tap their feet in sync with the rhythm. A good school does the same thing.
That paints a pretty picture, but the fact is that some students can’t hear the rhythm. Their little hearts are beating too hard.
The first day of school can cause nerves to jangle and imaginations to go into overdrive. However, parents, caregivers and older siblings can do a lot to calm fears and clear up misconceptions.
Talking about what to expect on Day One and in the following weeks at school helps little ones prepare for changes. Drive by or visit the school. Take time to ask and answer questions. If you have photographs of your first day of school, dig out those golden oldies and show them to your kids. They’ll get a kick out of them.
Help your child write a story about the new adventure ahead of him. It will be fun to reread at the end of the school year.
You also can read books such as “First Day Jitters” by Julie Danneberg and illustrator Judy Love. The Charlesbridge book is charming and rates 5 out of 5 stars on Big Universe.
Lobster Press has published a first-day-of-school themed book too, titled “The Little Dragon Who Couldn’t Breathe Fire.” It’s a cute story; take a peek.
Magination Press released a book by Dianne Blomberg back in 1999 titled “Sam and Gram and the First Day of School: A Story to Answer a Child’s Questions & Soothe Fears about School.” In addition to the story, two helpful sections have been added for parents.
A few years ago, the Monroe County Public Library in Bloomington, Ind., compiled an extensive book list about kids and their school experiences. Check it out.
If you can recommend other picture books about the first day of school, please share!
Best wishes and happy new (school) year.
“We believe that books with good writing and amazing photos are irresistible to kids,” states Bearport Publishing, a new partner of the children’s picture book website Big Universe.
I found Bearport’s new horse books irresistible, so that must make me a big kid too! Not only was “Hollywood Horses” filled with images of celebrity equines from my childhood – Trigger, Mr. Ed and Silver – it also was chock-full of interesting trivia.
Q. Who was the first cowboy-and-horse team in Hollywood?
A. William S. Hart teamed with Fritz, a talented paint horse.
Q. How many westerns did actor Gene Autry and his trick pony Champion make together?
A. They made 91 westerns, and Champion starred on his own show.
Q. What is a “stuffie”?
A. Sometimes a mechanical horse called a “stuffie” is used to film certain riding scenes in movies.
Q. What was actress Dale Evans’ horse named?
A. He was named “Buttermilk” for his unique coloring.
Kids – especially girls – are drawn to horses like bees to honey. I was one of those and so was my oldest daughter. Other readers are drawn to trivia. Bearport Publishing has honed its topics to feed these interests, recognizing that they can be used to facilitate literacy.
“We believe that providing books kids want to read is one of the surest ways to foster reading achievement. These… principles guide the development of all our curriculum-aligned nonfiction titles for children in grades PreK-8.” – Bearport Publishing.
Great photos accompany the interesting non-fiction narrative written by Meish Goldish in “Hollywood Horses.” Vocabulary words are highlighted in the text and listed in a glossary at the back of the book. The humane treatment of horses and animals in films is emphasized. Fact boxes add interest, and resources for further study are given.
Big Universe also features three other selections from Bearport Publishing’s Horse Power series (Grade 2-7), including “Working Horses” by Mary Packard, “Show Horses” by Margaret Fetty and “Police Horses” by Sunita Apte. They offer historical facts and provide great cultural context. Other books in the series include “Fire Horses,” “Military Horses,” “Race Horses” and “Therapy Horses.”
Note: I list additional children’s picture books in my blog “20 Horse Books to Trigger Love of Reading.” To find other high-interest series, check out Bearport Publishing’s narrative non-fiction offerings on its website.
There’s a guy who lives a few hours away from me – someone I’ve never met, but he’s been my hero for eight days now. I read an article about his new children’s book, “My Purple Toes,” and have been smiling ever since.
Blair Hahn is a lawyer in Charleston, S.C., with a sense of humor, a heart and hutzpah. Like a tiny pebble dropped into a pond, Hahn’s light-hearted actions on one particular day resulted in a ripple effect he or his family hardly could have imagined.
“The idea for ‘My Purple Toes’ all started with a trip to a nail salon with my daughter who I astonished when I boldly offered to get my toenails painted purple,” said Hahn in a Newswire press release.
The excursion was meant to be a bonding experience for teenage daughter and dad. A pedicure had been planned by his daughter, but the colorful outcome had not. His daughter walked out with pink toes, and he waltzed out with purple.
The laughs and reactions from strangers, his wife and friends culminated in life lessons that were perfect for a children’s picture book: the importance of enjoying life, being oneself and accepting others. So, Hahn teamed up with Charleston artist Tate Nation, and they ended up with a cheery board-style book aimed at kids 1 to 5 years old.
I like Hahn’s style – and I’m not talking about the nail polish. I like that he wanted to spend time with his daughter in her environment. I like that he was confident enough to have a little fun and then stand by his decision. I like that he was inspired enough to turn it into a book to teach children, and I love that he is sharing the proceeds with the needy.
A portion of the sales will benefit Soles4Souls, a Nashville-based non-profit charity that collects new and gently used shoes and distributes them to people around the world.
“The launch of ‘My Purple Toes’ has created a unique opportunity to give back to children in need,” said the author, “and we look forward to donating to Soles4Souls in support of its worthy cause.”
Almost 11 million pairs of shoes have been given in the last five years. The footwear has gone to Hurricane Katrina victims, as well as millions of others in 125 countries.
While “My Purple Toes” is not offered through BigUniverse.com, there are many selections on the children’s picture books website that touch on issues of confidence, kindness, sharing and personal growth. Here are just a few to get you started:
Note: Library, school and hospital representatives may contact the author directly at 1-(800) 247-6553 or blair@mypurpletoes.com to request copies of the book at a discounted rate.
From Black Beard to Anne Bonny, pirates have intrigued the masses for eons. They elicit fear and fascination simultaneously, producing folklore, Hollywood movies, school mascots and books – lots of books.
The nonfiction book “A Thousand Years of Pirates” (ages 10-14) recently earned two nominations for the Canadian Children’s Literature Awards. Written by William Gilkerson of Nova Scotia’s Mahone Bay, the book relates the history of swashbucklers from the Vikings to contemporary pirates, who menace coastlines and open seas around the world. The book is nominated for “Best Book” and “Best Nonfiction Book,” making it eligible for $35,000 in prize money.
“This clear and compelling cross-over [history] for all ages includes not only biographical and dramatic narratives but also the rarely told sordid and sad details of piracy,” the jury said, according to a CBC News report.
For readers who like adventure, BigUniverse.com offers several pirate selections.
- “Pirates,” a graphic written by Joanne Mattern and illustrated by Chris Marrinan, features buccaneers and privateers of the seven seas. Juvenile Level. Historical, but violence mentioned. (Rourke)
- “Lucky the Pirate,” a humorous (but gruesome) tall tale, is written and illustrated by cartoonist John Lakey. Reading Level 2-3. (Remedia)
- “Vikings,” a graphic-styled book about Norsemen pirates, is written by journalism professor Don McLeese and illustrated by Chris Marrinan. Juvenile Level. Historical, but violence mentioned. (Rourke)
For other pirate book suggestions, check out National Geographic’s buccaneer book list. You also can visit the website of Charlesbridge, one of Big Universe’s publishing partners. It offers pirate-themed books such as Fluffy: Scourge of the Sea (Ages 4-7), “Pirate Bob” (Ages 5-9), “A Pirate’s Life for Me” (Ages 3-7) and “Sea Queens” (Ages 9-12).
To double the fun, host a pirate party. Visit these three links for ideas.
- Pirate party games
- Pirate coloring pages
- Pirate party crafts
My dad used to call my sister “Miss Fingers,” because she was always touching things. I now know that she was a tactile learner – driven by curiosity and the desire to understand and experience objects up close and in person.
Today she is a renaissance woman of many talents: school teacher, mother, tennis whiz, quilter, seamstress, great cook, scrapbooker and home decorator extraordinaire.
My youngest daughter takes after her creative aunt. When she was really little, I would have my “Miss Fingers” roll up her hands in the front of her shirt, when we walked through stores with lots of breakables. She just could not resist “looking at” all the pretty things with her busy little digits.
She now spends her free time cutting, pasting, gluing, stringing and knitting things together. Her collages cover her bedroom walls, and her friends have been the recipients of homemade cards, picture frames, scarves, jewelry and one-of-a-kind posters.
If you have a child with a hunger for hobbies, check out the craft series by Big Universe’s partner, Rourke Publishing. Written by Tracy Maurer, these well-illustrated books are aimed at the Grade 3-6 crowd. Following the directions for each project strengthens reading comprehension skills and vocabulary – while fostering artistic creativity.
Paula Willey of the Baltimore County Public Library in Towson, Md., reviewed this series for the November 2009 issue of School Library Journal. Here is what she had to say:
“The crafts in these cheery books are not too hard, but not so simple as to be boring, and are made with a minimum of specialty supplies. Lively, upbeat covers feature photos of regular girls with big smiles. Inside, the subject of each book is first put into context and then illustrated with seven to eight crafts. There is an emphasis on safety and on getting permission and on responsibility. Many projects incorporate reuse of household items that might otherwise be discarded (worn-out jeans, buttons, jars, newspapers).”
Rourke Publishing also offers an “Explore and Draw” series, which would have been up my other daughter’s alley when she was younger – a combination of reading and sketching! Titles include:
I was on a crowded train in Spain when I was introduced to the World Cup. I was backpacking across Europe with a friend after college graduation and had just commented on how tightly we were packed in the train.
“I wonder if it’s always this crowded?” I mused. A British guy sitting on the floor near me said it was because of the World Cup.
“World Cup?” I asked, naively.
After the guy and his buddy picked their chins up off the floor, the cheekier of the two said, “Foo-ball! You know, A-mer-i-can sack-ur,” he said, giving a poor imitation of a cross between J.R. Ewing and a Boston fireman. “You gaw eh be kitten me,” he added, shaking his head. Or, at least that’s what I thought he said.
After thoroughly roasting us, the two English “blokes” invited us two American “birds” to see a game with them in Seville, Spain. (They were rabid soccer fans and were following the Copa del Mundo de Fútbol – España 82 competition until their money ran out.) We agreed.
I’m not sure how they swung the tickets, since the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium was wall-to-wall people. Don’t ask; don’t tell.
Once inside, the adrenaline rush was overwhelming, or that might have been my fear of being crushed by 68,000 exuberant fans or impaled by one of their waving flags. Once I secured a safe perch up on a wall, I found out that the actual soccer game was exciting too. Brazil beat the Soviet Union 2 to 1, and afterward the fans hit the streets of Seville, parading into the middle of the night.
A chance encounter in Spain? Nah! The four of us all kept in touch, and six years later my friend married her soul mate – one of guys on the train. They are raising a brood of soccer players now here in the States. He coaches and refs, and I’m sure she has done her share of soccer mom duties. Eventually, my husband and I got involved in the sport too and coached Under 8 Girls soccer in the local recreation league for six or seven seasons.
The sport that no one believed would ever catch on in the United States, has in fact ignited a generation! Here are a few soccer books for kids offered at Big Universe to fuel the flame…both for soccer and reading.
Posted on June 25, 2010 by Suzan Woodard in Commentary, General, Personal Experiences, Tips.
Tags: Big Universe, Building Literacy Skills, Car games, Family Time, Family Travel, Road Trip, summer reading, Summer Setback, Traveling with kids
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“This is June, the month of grass and leaves . . . and a new summer is offered me.”
– Henry David Thoreau
There’s something magical about summertime: new adventures, freedom and beauty that one can almost sip from a straw.
Summer clips the tethers that hold us tight the rest of the year. We stay outside longer, we stop for impromptu ice cream cones, and we get up early on Saturday morning and consider it fun because we are headed to the farmers’ market.
And then, there are the vacations! Off we go to the beach, the lake, the amusement park or to the mountains to camp.
Unfortunately there’s usually some significant travel time involved on vacations, and that can be tricky with little ones in tow. But, that’s part of life, so early on I decided to embrace the inevitable car rides, seeing them as opportunities – rather than something one step above rubbing sunscreen in my eyes.
So, I came up with a kid-friendly strategy that made trips both fun and educational. In my two previous blogs I detailed tips to make long trips easier, including a packing list and some car game suggestions to make the time go faster and to exercise brain cells.
Here are a few more car games to boost your children’s language skills and minimize irritability and whining.
Who Am I?
One child says, “Who am I?” The second child asks, “Are you a person, place or thing?” The first child answers, and then the question-answer volley proceeds until the mystery item or person is guessed. (Are you smaller than a car? Do you make noise? Can you be eaten? Are you scary? Are you soft? This models conversation patterns, teaches critical thinking skills and sharpens listening aptitude.
License Plate Game
If you have a long road trip planned, print copies listing the 50 states. As your child spies license plates from different states, have him check the state off his list. Or, give him some crayons and a black and white map of the United States and let him color in each state that he sees. Reading, geography and small motor skills wrapped into one.
Rhyme Time
Language is made of sounds, and making rhymes is an early literacy milestone. This game involves parent-child interaction, which builds communication bridges as well as a wide vocabulary base. Some of the rhymes will be silly or nonsensical, but that’s OK. Language has its serious side, but words can be a delight, too.
Give a noun in a phrase, pausing so your child can fill in the blank. Start by example:
The dog and a ___. (hog, log, frog)
A star with a ___. (car, jar, or a nonsense word like “dar”)
Jack Sprat and his ___. (cat, rat, mat, bat)
Fortunately, Unfortunately
Older kids will love this word play game. It encourages the imagination and a sense of humor. One person starts a scenario by say, “Fortunately…” The second person responds by saying, “Unfortunately…” You alternate between fortunate and unfortunate things. It’ll get the laughter going. For example:
“Fortunately, we are stopping for lunch soon.”
“Unfortunately, Mom left your sandwich at home.”
“Fortunately, I have a bag of peanuts in my pocket.”
“Unfortunately, the park we are going to is infested with aggressive squirrels.”
“Fortunately, I speak ‘squirrel’ fluently and will be able to talk my way out of trouble.”
“Unfortunately, the park is a wildlife refuge and kids aren’t allowed to speak out loud there.”
“Fortunately…”
And so on.
Would You Rather?
This game is as simple as they come. Start by example, then let the kids have a turn.
“Would you rather go to the pool or go to the zoo?
“Would you rather eat lima beans or eat spinach?”
“Would you rather pet a bear or pet a lion?
“Would you rather have 12 toes or 12 fingers?”
These are just a few of the many games that can be played in the car. I shared “Horse on Wheels” in my first blog in this series and three other car games in my second posting: “The Great Race from A to Z,” “Sack on My Back” and “Name Game.” They foster communication, build literacy skills and boost family bonding. Check them out.
I’d love to hear about some of the word games your family plays in the car to pass the time. Feel free to post a comment.
Have a great summer.
*** If you are taking a laptop with you on your road trip and have a 3G Internet card or have Internet hookup at your vacation lodging, Big Universe provides a portable library for children at your fingertips. With thousands of beautiful picture books available 24/7, there is no reason for your kids to experience “summer setback” in reading. Maintain or even improve their literacy skills with a wide assortment of fiction and non-fiction stories.
Big Universe has added a broad range of new books to its online library recently – thanks to publishing partners attuned to children’s vast interests and the wish lists of teachers. I have marveled at this website’s diverse inventory and decided to put it to the test.
