Naturally Educational » Literacy
April Verse
After a few snows and bitter days in March, we are excited that spring is finally on the way! Our crocuses and daffodils have bloomed and the days are getting warmer. Here is our daily verse / poem for April, which we found on Can Teach: April April is a rainbow month, Of sudden springtime showers. Bright with golden daffodils and lots of pretty flowers. At the end of March, we went outside to play a little in the dirt and … Read entire article »
D is for Dirt, R is for Rocks
Getting physical with your learning is a great way to reinforce academic lessons. The connection is especially strong with language and literacy. The experience reinforces the memory of the letters and words and creates a deep connection. We’ve also been exploring the universe of literacy in WordWorld–a television program on PBS that supports pre-reading skills. The characters on the show (“WordFriends”) are formed out of the words that are their names. They solve challenges by building … Read entire article »
Filed under: 1-2 (Toddlers), 3-5 (Preschool), 5-6 (Kindergarten), Bodily-kinesthetic, Featured, Literacy, Touch
Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss!
Dr. Seuss is a favorite at our house (and probably yours, too) for his fun language play and timeless messages. We put together a quick craft to go with The Cat in the Hat. Materials white posterboard red construction paper glue scissors Directions 1. Cut out a tall hat shape from the posterboard. 1b. Note: If you do not have enough posterboard for an entire hat shape, you can cut a band out separately (like we did). 2. Cut a second band for the hat … Read entire article »
Filed under: 0-3 (Babies and Toddlers), 1-2 (Toddler), 1-2 (Toddlers), 3-5 (Preschool), 3-5 (Preschool), 3-5 (Preschool), 5-6 (Kindergarten), 5-6 (Kindergarten), 5-6 (Kindergartners), Featured, Literacy, Visual-Spacial
OMG! LOLing @ Study “Txt Msg Helps Kidz 2 Spell”
Can Txt Msgs Really Help Kidz 2 Spell? A new study says…”yes”. Honestly, I’m not terribly shocked. The level of engagement with language has gone down so far that any textual use is likely to increase fluency. What is sad to me is that text messaging is likely the only word play these tweens and teens are using on a regular basis. Saying that text messaging improves a teen’s spelling more so than, say, watching 5 … Read entire article »
Reach Out and Read at The UPS Store
At the foundation of academic success, lifelong learning, modern communication, and participation in democracy…is literacy. Reading is a key that opens up entire treasure trove of new experiences, knowledge, and power. Which is why I am always excited to support and promote proven literacy projects, like Reach Out and Read. Last year a few moms and I ran a book drive for our local program. I am thrilled to partner with my local The UPS Store through … Read entire article »
Filed under: Giveaways, Literacy, Volunteering
S is for Snow
We haven’t done a lot of alphabet work because I believe in letting the kids’ interest and the rhythms of the season drive the activities we do together. My oldest seemed to just pluck the alphabet from the air–a puzzle, a few refrigerator magnets, and an alphabet book or two and she just knew all of her A,B,C’s. Since my son has shown a strong interest in letters recently, and we’ve had a great time playing in … Read entire article »
Filed under: 0-3 (Babies and Toddlers), 1-2 (Toddlers), 3-5 (Preschool), 3-5 (Preschool), Featured, Literacy, Touch, Weather, Winter
January Verse
We’ve started reading a morning poem last month. I got this idea, plus the tip about a great site to find poems, Can Teach, from My Montessori Journey.We’ll be adding images and props and continue to recite this throughout the month. January January sparkles. January’s bold. January huffs and puffs. January’s cold. … Read entire article »
Your Baby Can’t Read
I originally posted this on my personal blog, Mama Saga, but now that I am keeping an education blog, I feel it belongs here, too. I feel very strongly about avoiding too much screen time, not pushing academic skills on infants and toddlers, and not wasting money on expensive systems. Your Baby Can’t Read Okay, perhaps YOUR baby can. It is possible. Stranger things have happened. But most likely your baby cannot read. Anyone telling you that … Read entire article »
Are Picture Books Out of the Picture?
With great sadness, I read The New York Times’ (hopefully premature) obituary for the picture book: The picture book, a mainstay of children’s literature with its lavish illustrations, cheerful colors and large print wrapped in a glossy jacket, has been fading. It is not going away — perennials like the Sendaks and Seusses still sell well — but publishers have scaled back the number of titles they have released in the last several years, and booksellers … Read entire article »
Filed under: 5-6 (Kindergarten), Academic Achievement, Literacy, Sight
Give Kids a Jumpstart
Literacy is an essential part of what it means to be human in our modern civilization. Not only does reading allow children to learn through text, literacy also promotes a more free and open society. In our increasingly interconnected world, literacy is our passport to liberty–making information available to anyone who can read. The very act of reading develops a more nimble and flexible mind. And reading can also contribute to a better world by serving as a bridge between cultures. For these reasons and more, I was thrilled to make a video in support of Jumpstart’s Read for the Record. You can find a more concise version of the video on Walmart’s corporate sponsor page or see the entire video below: … Read entire article »
Filed under: 3-5 (Preschool), Literacy
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About the Author
Candace Lindemann is a published children’s writer and educational consultant. She holds a B.A. from Yale University and an M.Ed. from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.
Working with school districts around the country and some of the most well-known companies in the education industry, Candace creates custom strategies, textbooks, and lesson plans. Her articles have appeared in print and online.
While Candace’s degrees prepared her for a career in education, she’s found that the best preparation for parenting is on the job training.
Contact Candace via e-mail, read her full biography, or connect with her using the social media icons below.
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