Lucas Newsletter 1

FLORIDA GULF COAST UNIVERSITY INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

W ELCOME!

1

HOW TO CHOOSE A BOOK

1

MAKE READING FUN

2

AUTHOR OF THE MONTH: AUDREY WOOD

2

MUST READ BOOKS

3

WEBSITES FOR KIDS

3

WEBSITES FOR PARENTS

4

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

4

SPECIAL POINTS OF INTEREST:  Want to create a bond with your child?  What books will my toddler enjoy?  Have you ever heard of popcorn reading?  10 books your child will love!

VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1

L I T E R A C Y

A D V O C A T E

SEPTEMBER 2008

W E L C O M E ! Hello parents! I would like to welcome you to the first issue of the Literacy Advocate.

you help your child learn to appreciate literature, you will create a special bond

The Literacy Advocate is dedicated to showing parents how important literacy is

between you and your child that comes from the parent—child communication in

for children. Literacy skills are essential for

reading books.

everyone to have and it starts with YOU, the parent. You must read to your child to foster literacy skills that he/she will need in life. Studies show that reading to your child even when they are a baby will enhance their appreciation for literature later on in their life. Just think about all of the paths you can open up for your child just by reading one book a day to them. Books open children’s eyes to new worlds, characters and their behaviors, and even facts about the world they live in. Not only will

HOW TO CHOOSE A BOOK Children of different ages are attracted to different characteristics in a book. If you have a child who is: Baby/Toddler— 

Bright colors and simple objects



Simple text and good rhythm



Board and cloth books

Preschool/Kindergarten— 

Nursery rhymes



Familiar stories



Effective word repetition



Pop up books

Ages 5-8— 

Picture books



Strong storyline and character development



Include challenging words

Ages 9-12— 

Consider your child’s personality and interests.

LITERACY ADVOCATE

Page 2

MAKE READING FUN WITH YOUR CHILD! Here are some fun ways to make reading fun with your child. These tips are great for children who are reluctant to read and also those who already love books. 1.

Popcorn reading: this is where you read the book with your child. It’s a great technique to allow your child to read and when he/she comes to a challenging word he/she says “popcorn” then it’s your turn to read. Pop up some actual popcorn for you and your child to read together to make this a fun bonding moment.

2.

Highlight heaven: This is a great way to boost your child’s confidence.

Have him/her highlight all the words he/she thinks he/she knows on a page. Then have your child read the page and see how many words he/she

6.

actually does know. 3.

Flashlight reading: Read in a totally dark room with your child, but with a flashlight.

4.

Secret hideout: Build a fort with your child and read a book together while in the fort.

5.

Reading corner: Allow your child to pick a spot in the house for reading. You should decorate it together with pillows, bean bags, lights, and posters.

Picture detective: Look through a book with your child and have him/her tell you what he/she thinks is going to happen based only on the pictures. Read the story and find out what really happens!

7.

Pop-up word: This is a good strategy if your child is having trouble with a particular word. Every time that word comes up in the story, you both stand up. This also appeals to the kinesthetic sense.

8.

Star of the story: Create a book with your child’s name in it.

AUTHOR OF THE MONTH: Audrey Wood— Audrey Wood was born in Sarasota, Florida. Her first memories are of being in the Ringling Brothers Circus quarters because her father painted murals there. She says “The circus people were my friends.” She was a very fast learner and by the age of three she could already read. She says this is because her mother read to her everyday. In first grade she realized she wanted to be an artist. It was in fourth grade that she decided she wanted to be an author for children’s books. Right now she writes her own books and sometimes illustrates them. Her husband also illustrates some of her books. Audrey’s first book that she both wrote and illustrated was 24 Robber’s. If you want to check out Audrey and her husband, Don’s, first book together check out Moonflute. She bases a lot of her books off her very own surroundings and experiences such as the Napping House is actually the model of her own house! Audrey Wood was awarded the Caldecott Medal for King Bidgood’s in the Bathtub.

Children love to do this with a parent.

SOMETIME S ALL IT TAKES TO MAKE READING FUN IS SOME IMAGINATI ON AND A CHANGE OF SCENERY.

VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1

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BOOKS TO READ THIS MONTH: Don’t Be Silly Mrs. Millie! Is a great book to read to your child for a few good laughs. Mrs. Millie’s word play amuses the children to no end and the illustrations are a great complement. If you want to have bonding time with your child or just introduce them a few words from the Spanish language, Papa and Me is a great start.

Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People’s Ears is a funny fable to read with your children. It will have them questioning why mosquitoes really do buzz around in peoples ears. If you’re looking for a story before bedtime, Mermaid Dreams is the one. Parents and children can both relate to the characters in this story. It’s about a child who procrastinates about going to bed.

There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Fly will have children reading the book along with you because of its predictability which children love. A very funny book with comical illustrations.

I Wanna Iguana is a story about responsibility and a little boy who tries to prove that he can maintain a pet iguana.

Rose Blanche is a beautiful story about a girl’s experience with the Holocaust. This is a great introduction for your child to this very important historical tragedy.

The Turkey Girl is a Zuni Cinderella Tale about a girl who wants to go to the dance so desperately and her turkey’s help her with her dream.

Read this twist to The Three Little Pigs and you’ll have your little ones laughing up a storm! They’ll love the nontraditional fairytale ending.

Betsy Who Cried Wolf! Is a cute twist to The Boy Who Cried Wolf. Your children will be enraptured in Betsy’s conviction that she really did see a wolf!

WEBSITE FOR KIDS A site full of Dr. Suess fun and games. www.seussville.com News and current events for kids: www.timeforkids.com

A fun mad-lib site for kids. http://www.eduplace.com/tales/ Learn all about animals here!

Explore 65 million years ago when dinosaurs roamed the earth! http://www.kidsdinos.com/

http://www.kidsbiology.com/ animals-for-children.php

Learn all about the earth here:

Explore the universe:

http://www.kidsgeo.com/ geography-for-kids/index.php

http://www.kidsastronomy.com/

“Good morning children. Please hang up your goats.” - Mrs. Millie

WEBSITES FOR PARENTS A site dedicated to Nursery Rhymes and what a child likes at a particular age:

http:// www.med.umich.edu/1Libr/ yourchild/reading.htm

Tips for reading aloud with your children: every age loves to be read aloud to!

http://wwwpersonal.umich.edu/~pfa/ dreamhouse/nursery/ rhymes.html

5 Ways to Help Kids Love Books: Ways to get involved.

http://www.rif.org/parents/ tips/tip.mspx?View=11

How to make reading a part of your lifestyle: Tip #1-turn off the TV.

http://wondertime.go.com/ learning/article/helpingkids-love-books.html

Recent reviews on children’s books:

http:// www.kirkusreviews.com/ kirkusreviews/magazine/ childrens.jsp

Children love Mother Goose stories

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Marie Lucas was born in Miami, Florida on

sori school which opened her mind to a whole new way of teaching that she was never aware of, but was now very

September 18, 1986. Three years later she

interested in. Upon entering Florida Gulf Coast University she decided to pursue her ambitions as an Elementary

moved to the Fort

Education major.

Myers area and lived out her elementary school years. Her favorite things to do were building forts, jump roping, and playing school with the neighborhood children. It was though playing teacher that she discovered what she was meant to do. Marie graduated from Cape Coral High School in 2005. She participated in the Early Childhood program and this reaffirmed her calling as a teacher. After graduation she earned her Associates in Arts Degree from Edison College with a concentration in Elementary Education. While

Marie is currently attending Florida Gulf Coast University and is gaining ample experience with the teaching profession through the various courses she is taking, but mostly through the teacher/classroom observations and working with those children. As of now she would like to teach Kindergarten but still wants to see what it’s like to be with older children and maybe even teenagers. After graduating FGCU she would like to pursue her masters degree. Marie wants to show her future students the importance of education because it’s something she has always believed in. She is also a First Generation college student. We are on the web at:

http://sites.google.com/site/mariesmeanderings/Home

attending Edison College she was employed at a Montes-

REFERENCES: (2005-2008). Choosing a Children’s Book. Retrieved September 19, 2008, from The Children’s Book Council. Website: http://www.cbcbooks.org/readinglists/choosing.html Holland, Dawn. (2008). 10 Ways to Make Reading Fun. Retrieved September 19, 2008, from Educational Toy Factory. Website: http://educationaltoyfactory.com/make_reading_fun.htm