What your child needs to succeed in school

As I mentioned earlier, kindergarten teachers complain about children starting school not knowing the very basic stories and nursery rhymes that make up our cultural heritage, and that they must know to understand references that will be made in literature later on. E.D. Hirsch's series of books, from kindergarten through 5th grade, give an overview of the basics of cultural literacy. Unless your child's school uses the Core Knowledge curriculum, or every teacher happens to use these books as a supplement to the school's curriculum, he will not learn all these essentials. These books are useful as a "shopping list" when you go to the library or bookstore, or look for books on Amazon. Look for quality books, with good illustrations, that teach your child these concepts in an enjoyable way. What Your Kindergartner Needs to Know: Preparing Your Child for a Lifetime of Learning (Core Knowledge Series)begins the series.

A holiday movie for you

A beautiful little Christmas movie for the elementary-age child; it's old enough to be lost in all the newer holiday stuff out there. It features a child whose mother recently died, and who finds an injured reindeer she believes to be Prancer.Who knows, maybe a Christmas miracle happens, and she brings her bereaved father back to her. Pranceris warm and reassuring but bittersweet.

your child should know Paul Galdone's illustrations!

If you're still looking for a gift for a small child, Nursery Classics: A Galdone Treasury is a great idea! It contains several classic children's stories, "Three Little Pigs", "The Three Bears", and "The Little Red Hen", as well as "Cat Goes Fiddle-I-Fee". Many parents will recognize Galdone's illustrations from their own childhoods, as he started illustrating books for children in the 1950's. There are numerous other picture books illustrated by Galdone, such as The Three Billy Goats Gruff, The Gingerbread Boy,Rumpelstiltskin, Jack and the Beanstalk, and many others. Kindergarten teachers have lamented to me that many children these days do not know these stories that are part of our cultural heritage. Make sure your children, and other children you love, are familiar with them.

Let's go to the beach!

It may have been a long time since hot weather, when your child was outside playing in the sand, in the backyard or at the beach. Here is something to do to recapture that feeling: Start with a 40 pound bag of white rice from the Chinese grocery, Sam's club, or wherever you can get a bargain. Mix a tablespoon of rubbing alcohol and a few drops of food coloring in a large ziploc bag, then add a few cups of rice and shake it around to color it. Color as much rice as you like in different colors. Place the colored rice on an old plastic shower curtain to dry. When it is dry, mix it with any white rice that is left and put it into a large plastic underbed storage container. Put the container on top of a low table so it is easy to reach, and add sand toys. A sheet or shower curtain under the table will help with cleanup!

Nothing's too good for my baby...

Your child deserves to hear stories by a Nobel Prize-winning author. This wonderful book was written by Isaac Bashevis Singer, who won the Nobel Prize for literature. Even if you don't celebrate Hanukkah, these beautifully written stories truly shed light on a beautiful belief and tradition.The Power of Light: Eight Stories for Hanukkahis a holiday essential. The book Christmas Menorahs, also described on this site, is a memorable and thought-provoking holiday story for everyone.

Just one more!

This edition of The Night Before Christmas is actually illustrated by the great-grandson of Grandma Moses. The pop-up version I listed last week is so gorgeous, but I have to admit, this will be more durable. The quiet, traditional illustrations in this edition have their own beauty.

Charlotte's Web

The new movie of Charlotte's Web is out and receiving wonderful reviews but it is the book itself that's the star. The New York Times movie review today called it "not only one of the most beloved children's books, but as close to perfect as any book I can think of".

Of course every child should see this movie, but for the ultimate in experiencing this book they should hear the audio version, actually read by E.B. White. His voice and accent are beyond description, and make this my most memorable audiobook.

"Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house...

Wow, this pop-up book is beautiful! Only one of many editions available, though. Every child needs to know this poem. I still remember a boy at my elementary school who went from classroom to classroom during the holidays reciting it! Look for this beautiful book at Amazon.

On the first day of Christmas...

When my kids were little we sang this in the car---and not always just in December! It's a lot of fun, and kids take great pride in knowing all the verses.The Twelve Days of Christmas is available at Amazon. This edition is illustrated by Jan Brett; check out the many, many other books she has illustrated, all gorgeous.

Fun paper-and-pencil math activities

Can you imagine worksheets that kids love? This book has them! And,there are two more editions, for grades 4-6 and 7-12 (if you order, make sure you are getting the level you want). They are really meant for the classroom, but wherever you are, you can make copies from the book and thus use it over and over. I have used it with kids from grades 2 through 8, and it makes a wonderful supplement to the math curriculum, whether at home or in the classroom. Many students asked for more copies to take home, especially the dot diagrams for completing a pattern Critical Thinking Activities for Grades K-3 is a great resource for parents and teachers.

Set is the BEST math game for kids!

This is the best game I've used with students or my family. It does not require reading, or even speaking English; and can be played competitively by anyone age 5 or 6 and up. Age or education do not give players any advantage. I have known 6 year olds who can beat me at this game; my daughter played it with her beginning English students in Mongolia! It develops thinking skills and concentration, and kids love it. They recognize they are working hard and learning, but enjoy it anyway. Kids have told me over and over, "It's hard, but it's fun!" It can be purchased at most toy stores or, the best price I've found is at Amazon.
For teachers, if you go to setgame.com you can get transparencies for teaching the game, and even Set t-shirts.

Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree

What a charming Christmas story! Mr. Willowby buys a Christmas tree and it is too big, so he cuts off the top and gives it away to someone who finds that even the top is too big for her, and she cuts the top off and gives it away, and so on until a mouse family is celebrating around their tiny tree.Mr. Willowby's Christmas Treeis a classic book that kids love.

Light the Lights!

My students loved this book which describes a family celebrating both Christmas and Hanukkah. We talked about the similarities between the two holidays, and the children listed lights, gifts, family and food. They were so excited to talk about the relatives they would see during the holidays, clearly the highlight of the season for all of them. Light The Lights! is a holiday classic.

A new Christmas book by Tomie de Paola

A new Christmas book by Tomie de Paola! If you are not familiar with his books, there are many, and they are all wonderful. This one is for older children and adults. In it, there are a number of short stories telling his favorite holiday memories throughout his life.Christmas Rememberedis a beautiful book.

Let's make Rice Krispies treats!

Ingredients
3 tablespoons margarine
1 package (10 oz. about 40) regular marshmallows
or 4 cups miniature marshmallows
6 cups Rice Krispies®
Directions
1. Melt margarine in large saucepan over low heat. Add marshmallows and stir until completely melted. Remove from heat.
2. Add KELLOGG'S® RICE KRISPIES® cereal. Stir until well coated.
3. Using buttered spatula or waxed paper, press mixture evenly into 13 x 9 x 2-inch pan coated with cooking spray. Cut into 2-inch squares when cool. Best if served the same day.
Yield: 24 squares
MICROWAVE DIRECTIONS: In a large microwave safe bowl, heat margarine and marshmallows at HIGH for 3 minutes, stirring after 2 minutes. Stir until smooth. Follow steps 2 and 3 above. Microwave cooking times may vary.
Note
For best results, use fresh marshmallows.
1 jar (7 oz.) marshmallow creme can be substituted for marshmallows.
Diet, reduced calorie or tub margarine is not recommended.
Store no more than two days in airtight container.
To make chocolate rice krispies treats, melt 12 oz. chocolate chips with the margarine and marshmallows and complete the recipe as stated above.
The Family Kitchen: Easy and Delicious Recipes for Parents and Kids to Make and Enjoy Together has other recipes to make with kids, and is very user-friendly.

Truman Capote's Christmas memory

Here is the 50th anniversary edition of one of the best holiday books, Truman Capote's memoir of a long-ago Christmas in rural Alabama. It's most suitable for older children,3rd or 4th grade and up. It is memorable for Capote's evocative language, which makes the sights, sounds and flavors of the holiday come alive. It is a pleasure for adults as well as children, providing an interesting background to the Capote we have viewed in recent movies. It's available at Amazon. There is also a videoof the story. It's slow-paced and quiet but enjoyable if you liked the book.

The BEST read-aloud book!

I never get tired of reading this book to children: it is so enjoyable to see their eyes widen with surprise and delight as the story unfolds. It also extends into a discussion, art, or writing activity by simply asking the children at the end of the book "What would YOUR house look like?" In the story, Mr. Plumbean lives on a "neat street" where all the houses look the same. Things take a surprising turn when a seagull flies over and drops a can of orange paint on Mr. Plumbean's house.His neighbors all tell him he needs to paint his house--and he does. But what happens then is a surprise to everyone, including Mr. Plumbean. Don't miss sharing this book with all the children you know. You will definitely enjoy it as much as they do!! The Big Orange Splot is a book every child should own.
P.S. I first learned about this book in an early edition of Jim Trelease's Read-Aloud Handbook-an essential resource for parents and teachers.

It's fun to build with Rig-a-Jig

This is a toy I discovered when I bought a large set from a school supply store while teaching second grade in Florida in the 1980's. I stored all the little parts in an old tackle box and then had to referee the kids who all wanted to play with it during free activity time. They loved building with it; it was even more popular than Lego. Any such 3-dimensional building sets develop a child's spatial perception, which will be useful in math later on!
Unfortunately it is no longer on the market, but old sets frequently pop up on ebay and other online sales. You need this construction set!

The 100 all-time best children's books

This book is a great resource for parents! Anita Silvey is an editor and publisher of children's books. She looked at books published for children between 1902 and 2002 and chose what she thought were the 100 best for the 100-year period. Of course she left out your all-time favorite, but there are many old favorites you may have forgotten and will want to share with your children. She has a short essay on each book, telling fascinating things about the author and how he got started in writing or illustrating, and about the writing of the book. Who knew that Maurice Sendak was "discovered" while decorating department store windows? It's available from Amazon.

Christmas menorahs

The perfect holiday book! This is a fictionalized account of actual events in Billings, Montana, in 1993. Someone threw a brick through a window displaying a menorah, and other vandalism directed at racial and religious groups took place. People in Billings who were not Jewish began displaying menorahs in the windows of their homes, and the local newspaper printed pictures of menorahs which were displayed as well. Eventually thousands of homes and businesses displayed the menorahs. Later, a photographer posed hundreds of Billings citizens holding menorahs. It can be viewed at this Library of Congress site; just scroll to the bottom of the page and click the photo to enlarge it.
The book is available from Amazon. It's appropriate for older elementary children.

Let's borrow Grandma's button jar!

Once your child is old enough to stop swallowing anything that fits in his mouth, he may enjoy playing with a jar of buttons. You may be lucky enough to have people in your family who have saved buttons over the years, and to be able to get these buttons for your child. I am told that people also sell quantities of buttons cheap on ebay. Kids of a certain age enjoy pouring buttons from one container to another, sorting the buttons by color, size, or shape, or arranging them in patterns. There's even a book about this activity,Grandma's Button Box by Linda Williams Aber and Page Eastburn O'Rourke, which is part of the Math Matters series-fun books for kids that tell about mathematical concepts.

Amazing resource for learning about music!

The Metropolitan Opera Guild has amazing CDs which contain the very best selections of various types of music. They include Broadway, ballet, music, opera, and piano. Sets are available at a reduced price. They can be purchased online from the Metropolitan Opera Guild. Just click here to go to their website:

Growing Up With- Series

Turkey for Thanksgiving!

My favorite Thanksgiving book. Little Mrs. Gumm finds an egg that turns out to be a turkey egg. She then begins looking forward to having turkey for Thanksgiving. All year long she is anticipating her Thanksgiving turkey, and that's exactly what she has. The turkey is a guest at her Thanksgiving meal! It's available from Amazon.