Free Printable Native American Indian Totem Pole Designs to Color

Thanksgiving is the time when my literary interests naturally turn to books on Native American Indians. Schools typically teach native American lore in fall. There are several excellent books on American Indians: Sign of the Beaver (Elizabeth George Speare), The Indian in the Cupboard series (Lynne Reid Banks) and A Light in the Forest (Conrad Richter) are three favorites. If you've not read these, do it now! I've got a special connection to Pacific Northwest natives . When I was six my family moved to Haines, Alaska. We lived with a clan of the Tlinget Native American Indians. I was adopted into the tribe. Totem poles are an important part of Native American Indian culture, particularly in the Pacific Northwest Indian tribes like the Tlinget, Chilkat, Kwakiutl, Haida and Tsimshian. I've seen many lovely examples. Here are free Printable Totem Pole Patterns to enjoy.

Dystopian Books, Utopian Literature like "The Hunger Games"

 You read "The Hunger Games","Catching Fire" and "Mockingjay." You saw "The Hunger Games" movie--six times. Until Suzanne Collins writes another book or the "Catching Fire" movie comes out, how will you satisfy your lust for dystopian literature? You'll take this handy list of best futuristic dystopian/utopian books to your local library and get busy reading. Not all of these are kids books, but most could be read by mature 8th graders (barring "A Clockwork Orange"--it has obligatorily graphic descriptions and should not be read by kids) Books like "The Hunger Games"

Best books, authors to ignite a passion for reading in tween boys - Yahoo! Shine

As a teacher and homeschool parent, reading for research and pleasure is elemental. Each person in my family, male and female is a passionate bibliophile. I'm surprised when parents say that their kids, especially the boys, don't like to read. I suggest that this is less a distaste for reading and more that they haven't found books that engage them. To remedy that, I've created a list of favorite books and authors, in several genres, geared to boys ages 10-14. Most of these books have some mature content and that's one reason boys love them so much. They feel respected and not talked down to. I recommend reading these stories with kids.  Literature for preteen boys

Help, my child hates to read! Tips to inspire the reluctant reader

Habits, both good and bad, are generational. Children absorb, by osmosis, the vices and virtues of their parents. I'm a reader, as were my parents before me. My husband's family were bibliophiles. Our children grew up reading and being read to. Now in middle school and adulthood, our kids have continued the reading habit. Are you struggling to find ways to spark a love of reading in your kids? Here are some tips and tricks to help. Books for kids who hate to read

Book to Movie Educational films for American History

In education, we are moving toward connection and continuity across the curriculum. We are incorporating literature and response writing into subjects that are normally not literature based classes, such as social studies, math and science. Teaching American history and need some great literature based movies for your class? Here is a timeline of book-to-movie combinations to read and watch with your class. Most of these films are based on books.

Only a few of these are documentaries, because let's face it most documentaries are pretty dull. But I've listed movies that are not too 'Hollyweird' also. I've listed the book title separately if it has a different title. I've also listed the author and leading actor of the movie for reference. I've noted the movie rating and scenes to watch for also. Read more at Literature-Based Movies for an American History Curriculum.

Note: When I wrote this article, I wrongly listed "The Crucible" as being rated R when it is, in fact, rated PG-13. Also, I incorrectly stated that "Patriot" is PG-13 when it's R. My apologies.

For elementary and middle school or special needs high school students, I also recommend the book "Sign of the Beaver." "My America" and "Dear America" are both good history series, too.

Free Printable 'Hunger Games' Book, Movie Activities

It's an understatement to say that "The Hunger Games" book trilogy, by Suzanne Collins, has taken the world by storm. It's lit a fire, pardon the pun! "The Hunger Games" is the first fiction book my non-fiction reader husband has read since Steinbeck's "In Dubious Battle." "The Hunger Games" movie blasted to top spot when it came out in March. The saga continues in "Catching Fire" and "Mockingjay" which don't stay long on book shelves. Planning to teach a unit on "The Hunger Games" books or movie? Here are free printable lesson plans and activities for several different content areas. As for age level, the movie is acceptable for most ages, but the books are a bit graphic. I recommend using "The Hunger Games" series with kids over 12. Read on

Free Printable Presidents Day Lesson Plans, Activities--Read Around the World with Nobel Prize Laureates

Several American presidents have become Nobel Prize winners. Since President Barack Obama won the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize, Americans have become more focused on the Nobel prizes. Here are lesson plans for reading 'around the world' with Nobel Prize for Literature Laureates. In middle school and especially in high school, use these lessons for world literature, history, world religions and world cultures classes. These lessons are perfect for President's Day. Read more at Read Around the World with Nobel Prize for Literature Laureates

Vampire, Horror Fiction Books for Twilight, Eclipse Lovers

Best Young Adult Vampire Fiction Books for Twilight and Eclipse Lovers Stephanie Meyer's didn't invent vampire romance fiction with her Twilight book series. Modern vampire fiction has enjoyed a cult following for several decades now. For fans of vampire fiction who've consumed Twilight looking for fresh reads, look here. Here are vampire books you can sink your teeth into. Vampire Plagues: Book One- London, 1850, Book Two- Paris, 1850, Book Three- Mexico 1850. History-mystery lovers will devour Sebastian Rooke's trilogy, set in the Victorian era. Middle School and up. Click for more recommendations...

Banned Books Week- Check out these Children's, Teen Authors and Literature

Most Banned Books? Authors of Teen, Children's Literature This week, Sept. 24 to Oct.1, celebrates the 30th anniversary of the ALA Banned Book Week. BBW celebrates authors who broke convention to write books about touchy subjects. Here are stats about most oft-censored children and teen authors and literature. Would you believe that most of these are required reading in most high schools? Most of these statistics hold true for adult literature as well. Read on...

Free Printable Mouse Guard Activities--Fantasy RPG Graphic Novels

Free Printable Mouse Guard Graphic Novel Activities  Mouse Guard is David Peterson's RPG (role-play game) graphic novel anime type series, based on the heroic deeds and epics battles of brave mice and their friends. Here are details about the author plus free printable lesson plans. Read More

Medieval Mystery Books and Authors

Summer Recommended Reading: Medieval Mystery Books and Authors
With summer coming, it's time for bibliophiles to turn their thoughts toward recommended reading lists. Have you been immersed in required reading? Then you need some pleasure reads. How about medieval mysteries like these? Read More

Historical Fiction Reading For Tween and Teen Girls

Best Historical Fiction Books for Tween and Teenage Girls Historical fiction is becoming more popular with school aged girls. Here's a list based on my 20+ year teacher career, of the best historical fiction for tween and teenage girls. This list is not exclusively for girls, but girls may be more drawn to it. Read More

Wicked, Son of a Witch, A Lion Among Men- Gregory Maguire

Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West: Gregory Maguire Book Series Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West (1995) Son of a Witch (2005) and A Lion Among Men (2008) are revisionist parallel novels by Gregory Maguire that explore the deeper, darker Wizard of Oz books. Note: Gregory Maguire's books contain very mature themes and are best read in high school classes.
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Best Vampire Movies for Twilight Lovers

Best Vampire Movies for Twilight Saga Lovers You bought, read and re-read all the Twilight series and saw both the series' movies. You've redone your room and wardrobe in Gothic vampire. What can you do till Eclipse comes out or Stephanie Meyer writes another book? Read More

He's Just Not That Into You Book and Movie Review

Dating and Relationships: Hes Just Not that into You - Book and Movie Review When our oldest daughter was going through a traumatic relationship several years ago, a friend recommended that we read a book called He's Just Not That Into You (Greg Behrendt/ Liz Tuccillo). Odd title; great book, and now a movie. Read More

Websites with Free Literature Resources

Free Web Resources for Literature Lessons and Homework. Here are 10 websites to get free homework help with American lit, world lit or other literature classes. These sites have lesson planning for teachers including study guides, printables, activities, games, online books, ebooks, reference and resources View more » 

Twilight Saga: New Moon, Eclipse, Breaking Dawn

Breaking Dawn: Last of Stephanie Meyer's gothic vampire chronicles, Twilight Saga Release Breaking Dawn is the final book in the Twilight saga by Stephanie Meyer. Barnes and Noble Booksellers are hosting a party at midnight August 1, 2008 to celebrate Breaking Dawn's release.The party is over, but you can still enjoy Stephanie Myers Twilight series: Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse and Breaking Dawn View more »

The Tales of Beedle the Bard

New J.K. Rowling Book: The Tales of Beedle the Bard Fans of Harry Potter, don't despair, JK Rowling's new book The Tales of Beedle the Bard, goes on sale December 4, 2008. You can pre-order your copy of Beedle online or in stores to save money and reserve your copy. View more »