Great Books for Boys, The Return of the Twelves

I've taught reading for several decades.My husband and sons love to read, but that's not the norm. It's not gender-biased to say boys more than girls tend to be reluctant readers. I made it my mission to find books boys would like. If they hated to read when they started my class, I made sure they loved it when they left. Here's a book boys will love  The Return of the Twelves, Boy Book Pick

Free Printable Craft Stencils For Book Themed Crafts

 Okay, raise your hand if you're sick of winter. Yep, we're fed up. Spring is but a few short days away, but Mother Nature seems oblivious. What say we ignore that old battleaxe and make our own spring fun? As March is National Reading Month, here are free printable stencils to use in a book themed party! Free Printable Craft Stencils, Holiday Patterns and Templates

Disney's 'Frozen' Party Treat Recipes, Winter-Themed Snacks

If you see one movie this winter, make it "Frozen." It's an arctic adventure like Hans Christian Andersen's "Fairy Snow Queen." Disney's Frozen is a perfect theme for a winter birthday or just-because party. Here's a menu of Frozen-inspired snacks kids will love.  Disney's 'Frozen' Party Treat Recipes, Winter-Themed Snacks for Kids

Harry the Dirty Dog Game, Craft, Snack, Printables

Are your kids going winter stir-crazy? Too cold to play outside long. Snow too deep for little one. Well, you need a craft afternoon. I learned as a teacher/homeschool mom to make lesson plans hands-on. So my craft parties include an interactive story and snack and lots of free printable book-based activities.
One of my husband's favorite children's literature characters is Harry the Dog, created by Gene Zion and drawn by Margaret Bloy Graham. My mom described a yarn bush she made for the birds and it reminded me of Harry. Here are activities based on "No Roses for Harry."   No Roses for Harry Recycled Yarn Craft, Snack, Printables

Book Crafts, Printables, Snacks, Games, Activities from Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You See?

2014 is going to down as the Winter of Infamy. But don't worry, parents of bored kids, teacher-mama has more children's literature activities. Hands-on lesson plans with story, game, craft and snack. Today's is on "Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You See?" and appropriately for this arctic season-- "Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear?" Both of these wonderful stories come courtesy of Bill Martin and Eric Carle. My oldest could read this entire books at three, thanks to the repetitive verse. Book Activities from Brown Bear, Brown Bear

Free Printable Harry the Dirty Dog Activities

Are your kids going winter stir-crazy? You need a craft afternoon. I learned as a teacher/homeschool mom to make lesson plans hands-on. So my craft parties include an interactive story and snack and lots of free printable book-based activities.   No Roses for Harry Recycled Yarn Craft, Snack, Printables

Best Childrens Literature for Black History Month

February celebrates Black History Month in U.S. history. In schools, students learn about significant people and events in the African American timeline. As a teacher and homeschool mom, I've designed and taught black history throughout the curriculum. Here's my preschool-second grade recommended reading list for Black History Month with free printable lesson plans. Some may disagree with my suggestion for Little Black Sambo to be included. But read on for my defense.  Best Pre-K-Grade 2 Kids' Books for Black History Month

Adventure Mystery Book Series for Boys--The Three Investigators

Do you have trouble getting your son to read? Boys are more often reluctant readers than girls. I'm a teacher and it's not gender-biased to say that. So how to get them to develop a love of reading? Find books they like. Might I suggest, for tween boys mystery, action, adventure, horror, historical fiction, sci-fi, tech, graphic novels, how-to? Just make sure it isn't boring.

And get them hooked on a series. That will keep them coming back for more. Our family favorite is one I read as a kid in the early 1970s--The Three Investigators. Three boys, Pete, Jupe and Bob solve mysteries as a home business. Jupe's uncle owns a salvage yard (HOW cool is that?) In exchange for work, they get junk (a boy's dream come true!). Their office-workshop is a salvaged trailer buried under yard scrap (does it get any better?) Yep it does. It's equipped with dark room, laboratory, private phone, intercom, periscope, microfiche and other spy-fi 60s gadgets. It's only accessible by secret passages and code words. Now do I have your attention, gentlemen? Oh you want to know where to lay your hands on these tales? Read on!  Adventure Mystery Book Series for Tween Boys--The Three Investigators

Why Yom HaShoah Jewish World Holocaust Remembrance Day?

January 27 marks Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day. On this day, Jews around the world honor those lost in the Nazi genocide of World War Two. And we join them in commemorating this profound loss. The depth and width and breadth of Germany's Third Reich killing machine is too much to imagine.

And to think some deny the Holocaust happened. Those people I won't even think about. That monstrous egotism is beyond help. But then some basically loving people ask why Jews get to use the term Holocaust? Like it's a privilege? These people then cite other genocides of which sadly there are many.  It's petty, but there's hope of reaching these. So I explain Why Yom HaShoah Jewish World Holocaust Remembrance Day?

2014 Chinese New Year of the Horse Crafts, Printables

Chinese New Year begins early in western calendar January 31, 2014. This year, we celebrate the Year of the Horse. It's also called the Spring Festival and concludes with a Lantern Festival. I'd love to visit China--all that festivity! The theme is Good Fortune and the expression is "Gong Hay Fat Choy!" wishes luck for the coming year.
Speaking of luck, I happened upon a cute site I thought I'd share with parents: Activity Village. It's one I've used a lot over my career writing about educational printables. But they seem to have improved site loads and content. There are crafts, games, puzzles, coloring sheets and worksheets for kids on CNY (Chinese New Year). There are recipes, game and party ideas. Read on.  2014 Chinese New Year of the Horse Crafts for Kids