Moms Inspire Learning

This Just In...

Breaking news...

The Library of Congress has just started a literacy-related public service campaign, which will encourage shared reading. You can read the full New York Times article, and find out which book character they've chosen to feature in the ads (it's a perfect choice) here.

When Being a Picky Eater is a Good Thing

Organic Fruit ©Dawn Riccardi Morris

Fruit ©Dawn Riccardi Morris

What do strawberries, grapes, apples, blueberries, and nectarines all have in common?

Parents as Highly Influential Teachers

As a parent, you want the best for your child. But do you find yourself rushing to buy the latest gadget to give your child every advantage?

When Children Think They Don't Like to Read, Part 6

©iStockphoto.com/Janice Richard

For the final post in this series, I'd just like to do a little recap of the main points:

When Children Think They Don't Like to Read, Part 5

 

Bridging the Genres of Children's Literature © Dawn Riccardi Morris

I'd like to refine my vision of the two islands I mentioned the other day. One was for children who like to read, and the other was for children who think they don't.

So, let me just ask: which island do you think the stick figure above would live on? She notices the different genres of children's literature, but doesn't seem to know which one to try.

Is she the avid reader, or the reluctant reader?

When Children Think They Don't Like to Read, Part 4

When I enter an elementary school classroom, there are two things I look for. I don't even have to meet the teacher or observe the class in order to figure out if it's the kind of learning atmosphere I'd want my children to be in.

Those two things are:

When Children Think They Don't Like to Read, Part 3

Okay, so adults who are enthusiastic about reading materials will have a much easier time motivating children to read. Is it possible to be too enthusiastic, though?

When Children Think They Don't Like to Read, Part 2

There were some great comments in response to When Children Think They Don't Like to Read, so I'd like to bounce those ideas around over the next couple of posts.

The first comment was made by Rick Ackerly, who has significant experience as a parent, educator, and administrator, and has recently published a book that I'm in the process of reading (I will review it in August). He said:

When Children Think They Don't Like to Read

I was at the dentist yesterday, and she mentioned that her teenagers just don't like to read; and she fears that they will never understand how wonderful it truly is to just sit down and escape into the world of a book.

Deep breath...

The Road to Freedom

©iStockphoto/Chad Anderson

Life is a highway. Do you remember that song, by Tom Cochrane?

Whether it's the open road, the internet highway, or the journey of our lives, we all seem to be speeding through it these days. Sometimes, we get caught in traffic jams, and it seems we will never reach our destination.

How many of us just follow the signs, and how many of us choose to get off the highway when we're not sure we're heading in the right direction?