new posts in all blogs
Viewing Blog: The National Writing for Children Center, Most Recent at Top
Results 1 - 25 of 786
.jpg)
Home of the Children's Writers Coaching Club
Statistics for The National Writing for Children Center
Number of times this blog has been viewed on JacketFlap: 0
Number of Readers that added this blog to their MyJacketFlap: 14
Move & Groove: A Weekly Column from children’s writer, photographer, and dancer Grier Cooper
It was a bright and sunny day this morning, even though this was exactly the opposite of the weather forecast. Blue skies and sunshine bring on good feelings, and the urge to get outside… and move. Watching the movement of the clouds overhead gives us something to think about when we move. Clouds don’t look or move just one way; they can be light, wispy and slow-moving, or dark, dense and swift. These are qualities to explore with your dance.
For instance, we’ll begin with the light, wispy ones. What do light and wispy movements look like, and what can we do to create lightness in a dance? We can rise on the balls of our feet in a releve, or jump, leap and skip. What are some other ways to be light and wispy?
Next, try the contrast, the dark, dense, swift ones. Quick, heavy movements include sweeping across the floor, taking large strides with bent knees, or one could roll along the ground. What are some other ways to put this feeling into play?
Nature is both our support system, and our backdrop. We interact with it all the time, either consciously or unconsciously. Clouds are both a constant source of wonder and entertainment. It’s a pleasure to imagine we are a cloud; even if just for a few minutes.
Thanks so much for taking part in our Children’s Writer’s Blog Chain this week. We hope you’ve enjoyed visiting all the fun and informative blogs that were links on the chain.
Today, to end the chain, we’re giving away 1 month’s FREE membership in the Children’s Writer’s Coaching Club (a $27.00 value) to one lucky winner who would like to sample our club and receive all the club benefits for one month. To register, simply leave a comment here today.
Enna Neru lives in Botswana, Africa. Recently, she was scheduled to be interviewed by Suzanne Lieurance on Book Bites for Kids on blogtalkradio. However, the day of the scheduled interview an electrical storm knocked out all the power where Enna lives and she wasn’t able to call in to the show. Here is a written interview with Enna.
Suzanne: Tell us a little bit about your background and how you became a children’s book author.
Enna: This is my first published childrens book, I have had stories running around in my head for years which my children have had to endure but never actually published anything.
Suzanne: Tell us about your current book.
Enna: I live on the edge of the Okavango Delta in Botswana. This is an inland delta which transforms this otherwise semi arid region into a lush wonderland suporting many people and a large diversity of wildlife. Botswana is very aware of the importance of water, the name for the currency is Pula which means rain. This story is about the value of water and also the need for people to work together to preserve what we have. The first half of the book is a fantacy discription of how the Delta came into existance long long ago. The second half takes us into the presant day where two children, one from the rural environment of mud huts and no electricity, and the other from the city with all the mod cons of TV, cell phones etc have to get together to save the Delta. There is plenty of fantacy with talking geckos, flying donkeys and friendly snakes. There is also a mad scientist who creates CMD, creatures of mass destruction.
Suzanne: What is a typical writing day like for you?
Enna: I have a very busy schedual as I need a day job to keep going. I run a safari camp and at the moment I am busy building a community centre which aims to help under privilaged children through the arts, music, dance etc. So I write on weekends, shut myself away and make sure no one comes near!
Suzanne: What do you enjoy most about writing for children?
Enna: I love fantacy and I also enjoy trying to get a meaningful message across using it
Suzanne: What is the most difficult part of writing for children?
Enna: I don’t find it very difficult, but I suppose we need to ask the children what they think. I have aimed this book at slightly older children 12 and up.
Suzanne: Tell us about the marketing process for authors. What do you do to market and sell your books?
Enna: This part I find the most difficult as I am not a good self promoter. At the moment I am selling my book locally and trying to get it established on the internet.
Suzanne: Do you have a website? If so, please give the URL. If not, where can listeners go online to learn more about your book(s) and to order?
Enna: My website is http://outskirtspress.com/EnnaNeru. My book is also on Amazon.com.
Suzanne: What are you working on right now?
Enna: I am working on the sequal. As An African Tale ends the problems have not been solved. The next book will take us into the city to see how the modern world deals with ancient majic.
Suzanne: What is your best tip for aspiring children’s book authors?
Enna: I think maybe I need a few tips myself! I would say as long as you really enjoy and love what you are doing it will come through and then of course you do need a good editor and be ve
Enter to win a copy of Anna Smudge Professional Shrink, our giveaway prize for Day 5 of the Children’s Writers’ Blog Chain!
To register for the drawing, simply leave a comment here today!
Then, visit the next link on the chain!
Our blog chain continues through Sunday, February 7th! Be sure to visit each of the links on this chain of fun and informative blogs about children’s books and writing for children.
by Amy M. O’Quinn
Like most other Americans, I did some major goal setting at the beginning of the year for the next twelve months. I have some good intentions, and perhaps this will be the year I have the satisfaction of completing them by December 31st.
I have often heard that writing down the things you want to accomplish is the first key to success. I recently read a book called Write It Down, Make It Happen by Henriette Anne Klauser, and while I don’t necessarily endorse or plan to do everything she recommends, I do think it’s a good resource for anyone who is interested in goal setting. It is a book that really helps the reader “focus” on what he/she wants to achieve, and how to take the necessary steps to move forward.
However, another important key is visualizing or having a clear picture in our minds of exactly what it is that we want to do or be. It is a driving factor to keep us motivated through the whole process. We can “see” the prize or outcome, and that picture keeps us going.
Is Visualization Effective?
I recently heard of two stories that illustrate how effective visualization can be. The first was about an experiment done where two groups of basketball players were shooting free throws. The first group of players actually practiced shooting free throws for at least an hour a day for several days that week. The other group of players was not allowed to actually shoot the ball at all. However, they were required to picture themselves shooting free throws for the same amount of time as the first group—but only in their minds. They had to ‘incorporate’ all five senses as they visualized themselves shooting the perfect free throw. At the end of the experiment, when both groups actually got on the court to shoot, the ‘visualizers’ outperformed the other group!
Another story involved a POW during the Vietnam War. Before capture, this young man had been an avid golfer, so to pass the time in his small cell, he ‘played’ the game of golf in his mind every day. He’d go through every course he ever played, and visualize each and every detail. After his release some ten years later, he played his best golf game ever! As one writer commented, his body carried out what his mind already knew how to do!
Visualization for Writers
So what does visualization have to do with writing success? It’s the same principle as if we wanted to lose weight, redecorate a room, or eliminate debt—we “see” the outcome in our mind’s eye. We are able to recognize the benefits, advantages, and rewards that will be ours if we reach the goal. In addition, that vision spurs us on to action to get the job done.
Do you picture yourself holding a book with your name on the cover, or perhaps simply reading a story to your children that you wrote with them in mind? Do you see yourself doing an author visit or presentation at a school or library, or maybe even passing out copies of the family history you compiled to your loved ones? What will it take to make those images into reality? One thing is for sure—you’ll already be motivated!
Story or Scene Visualization
There is also another type of visualization, called story or scene visualization. When I am writing a manuscript, I must first “see” the different segments of my story played out, much like a movie, in my mind. I need to picture the characters—what they look like, how they sound, how they move, etc. I also need to smell, touch, and perhaps even ‘taste’ these parts of my story as much as possible.
When we as writers immerse
Have you been visiting the links of our Children’s Writers’ Blog Chain this week?
The chain starts here and each day we’re giving away a book, teleclass, or audio clip. To register for the giveaway here each day, just leave a comment each day and you’ll be registered for that day’s giveaway.
Today, register to win a copy of The Laceyville Mondays Say the Right Words by Harriett Ruderman. This is a charming hardcover picture book young children of all ages will love!
To see all the links on the Children’s Writers’ Blog Chain, look at the list in the right sidebar of this page or visit suzannelieurance.com to see the first blog on the chain!
Reviewed by Karen Cioffi
Title: Poetry Rocks! Early American Poetry
Author: Stephanie Buckwalter
Publisher: Enslow Publishers, Inc.
ISBN: 13: 978-0-7660-3277-4
ISBN: 10: 0-7660-3277-9
Poetry Rocks! Early American Poetry “Beauty in Words” explores poetry in America from colonial days to the end of the nineteenth century. It is a wonderful stepping stone for children to journey into the world of verse. Illustrations and pictures of the authors lend an air of informality to the book while the poems, facts, information, and descriptions enlighten the child to poets such as Anne Bradstreet, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Edgar Allan Poe, Emily Dickenson, and Walt Whitman to name a few.
In a complete package, Buckwalter includes the elements of poetry, such as stanzas and poetic meter. She also includes explanations of words and terminology featured in the poems and the corresponding time periods. Along with this, there are very interesting, yet brief, biographies of the poets, along with details of their writings, bringing to light the hows and whys of the poems. In addition, Buckwalter sheds light on romanticism, reality, and poetic license and technique. This detailed analysis is provided in easy to read content.
As an added feature, at the end of each poets section, Buckwalter provides further reading resources. This is a valuable tool for the child who is sparked by a particular poet and wants to learn more.
I fondly remember as a youth reading a couple of the poems Buckwalter dissects in Poetry Rocks! Early American Poetry “Beauty in Words.” Without this type of children’s book, our youth would miss out on learning about a beautiful form of writing and a certain perspective of the world around us.
In the introduction, Buckwalter explains: “Poets often see the world differently from most people. Some can see things hidden in the mundane; others scale lofty heights of philosophy. They all take words that capture ideas, feelings, and truth, and arrange them in ways that illuminate those realities.” I love this explanation; it’s simple, yet profound.
I highly recommend this book for children in the grade levels recommended.
***************
Karen Cioffi is an author and freelance writer. You can learn more about Karen at: karencioffi.com/media-page. Join her mailing list at DKV Writing 4 U and receive a special gift: Writing, Publishing, and Marketing – You Can Do It!
Please note: The gift offered at the site changes periodically.
Reviewed by Karen Cioffi for the National Writing for Children Center
Title: Melissa and the Green Blanket
Author: Julie S. Dobbins
Music by: Craig Dobbins
Illustrated by: David Moon
What’s the telltale mark of a wonderful children’s book or CD? The answer to this is easy, when a child requests to read it, or hear it, over and over and over…
Melissa and the Green Blanket is just such a CD. Along with the audio, Dobbins includes a small booklet with simple black and white illustrations. Dabs of green are used for the blanket. While the illustrations are simple, they hold the child’s attention.
I played Melissa and the Green Blanket for my 3-year-old grandson while we looked at the corresponding pages in the booklet – he was engrossed. He asked to listen to it five times! And, he had to look at the booklet while we listened. Not much else needs to be said about this CD/book’s child appeal.
The story is about a little girl who loves, and relies on, her green security blanket. One day, she can’t find her special, make-me-invisible and protect-me-from-monsters, blanket. The search is on… and Mom to the rescue.
What is especially beneficial with stories in this format, is that the parent, guardian, grandparent, or other, doesn’t have to read a story over and over – the author/teller does it for you. Along with an engaging and entertaining story, Dobbins voice is soothing and expressive, as is the accompanying music. I highly recommend Melissa and the Green Blanket.
*********************
Karen Cioffi is an author and freelance writer. You can learn more about Karen at: karencioffi.com/media-page. Join her mailing list at DKV Writing 4 U and receive a special gift: Writing, Publishing, and Marketing – You Can Do It!
Please note: The gift offered at the site changes periodically.
SIMON SAYS
A weekly column from children’s author Simon Rose
While its very important to do your own homework in terms of discussing schedules with the teachers, organizing your presentations, planning your topics to fill a week or more as an author in residence, selecting subject matter appropriate to each audience, ensuring that all financial matters are in order and so on, before embarking on a school visit, the experience is usually very rewarding for children’s authors. School visits allow you to talk about your own work, your inspiration, your future projects, answer questions, sell some autographed copies of your books, and present yourself to a entirely new audience or geographic area. Writing in any discipline can be a solitary, even lonely profession, but children’s authors do have the opportunity to visit to schools and libraries, allowing you to connect with your readers on a personal level. Children are also thrilled to meet an author, especially if they are familiar with your work, and if they are not, you will most likely gain a whole new set of readers as a result of your visit to the school.
An author visit can also be very beneficial to the school, inspiring the students and encouraging them in their own writing or just getting them excited about books and reading. You may also help them to explore their own artistic creativity, whether this involves writing, illustration, painting, poetry, sculpture, photography, film or another discipline altogether and ultimately, you may even make a real difference in the lives of some of your readers.
It’s Day 3 of the Children’s Writers’ Blog Chain hosted all this week by the National Writing for Children Center. Visit EACH link in this fun and informative blog chain and leave a comment to register for the prizes and giveaway items you’ll find at most, if not all, of the blogs. Just look at the right sidebar on this page to find a list of all the links on the chain.
Leave a comment here today to register to win a copy of Zibby Payne & the Party Problem by Alison Bell from Lobster Press.
by Kathy Stemke
Black History Month is a time to create greater awareness of a strong and powerful culture with a rich history. The following books and activity ideas will keep children engaged as they learn about inspiring black Americans and their culture.
Bestselling and award-winning author, HYPERLINK Nancy I. Sanders has published over 75 books including A Kid’s Guide to African American History and D is for Drinking Gourd: An African American Alphabet.
Her new book is America’s Black Founders, for ages 9 and up. Through the petitions they wrote, the sermons they preached, the literature they published, the churches they built, and the organizations they formed, African Americans influenced the birth of a new nation in powerful and far-reaching ways. Click here for several activity ideas from Nancy’s websiteClick here for several activity ideas for Black History month from Nancy’s website.
Ella Fitzgerald: The Tale of a Vocal Virtuosa is an excellent example of a quality book that conveys black history in kid-appealing way. Ella’s story is told through the perspective of a cat, “Skat Cat Monroe,” who pulls in readers in with rhythm and rhyme.
LANGUAGE ARTS ACTIVITIES
Use words from this story to practice finding the number of syllables in words. How many syllables are in Skat? Fitzgerald? determination?
Have students look up words from the story in the dictionary and share reports either written or verbal. Let students determine alphabetical order of the words.
MATH ACTIVITIES
We learn in A Note From the Author that Ella was born in 1917. The story tells us that in 1935 the Harlem Opera House signed Ella as a featured singer. How old was Ella?
We learn in the story that Ella and Dizzy Gillespie headlined a sold-out performance at Carnegie Hall in 1947. If she was born in 1917, how old was Ella in 1947?
We learn in A Note From the Author that Ella died in 1996. If she was born in 1917, how old was Ella when she died?
MUSIC & MOVEMENT ACTIVITIES
“A-Tisket, A-Tasket” was a hit song sung by Ella Fitzgerald that began as a “jump rope jive.” Jumping rope is an excellent work out and helps children develop timing and balance. Have your students jump rope along to Ella’s music and encourage them to create their own jump rope songs.
Dizzy by Jonah Winter features the famous Dizzy Gilliespie.
VOCABULARY ACTIVITIES
There are many instruments featured in the illustrations of Dizzy. Passing the book around, make a list of the instruments your group can identify. There’s a trumpet, sax, French horn, bass, piano and drums. Now brainstorm to create a list of instruments not featured in this book.
MATH ACTIVITIES
Review the music math words for solo, duet, trio, quartet and quintet. Call students up with instruments in singles and small groups and let the group name the band with these math music words.
ART & MUSIC ACTIVITIES
Painting to the Beat: Provide paper, watercolor paints and space for each child to paint. Play one of Dizzy Gilliespie’s many CDs that are available at your local library. Encourage children to paint to the beat. Ask them to consider what “color” a song feels like. Be sure to have them write the title of the song, along with their name and date on their musical masterpiece.
MOVEMENT ACTIVITIES
A Jazz Parade: Provide children with handmade instruments or objects with which they can create a beat. Turn on the music and ha
Today is Day 2 of our Children’s Blog Chain. Did you have fun visiting all the interesting sites on the chain yesterday? Don’t forget to leave a comment. When you do, you’re registered for the drawings that will be taking place all this week at most of the links in the chain.
Scroll down this page to yesterday’s post to see all the links on the chain. But before you start out on the chain today, leave a comment here and you’ll be registered to win a copy of Leven Thumps and the Gateway to Foo by Obert Skye.
Leave a Comment to Register for the Book Giveaway!
Now…scroll down to start traveling the blog chain today or just click here to get to the first link on the chain!
Move & Groove: A Weekly Column from children’s writer, photographer, and dancer Grier Cooper
Every one of us has a rhythm that we carry inside, our heartbeat. Our innate sense of rhythm started before we were even born, with the rhythm of our mother’s heartbeat. Finding our heartbeat and using it as a basis for movement can be enlightening and amusing, and for many children, it might be the first time they have heard it. Explain how the heart works, contracting over and over to circulate blood throughout the body to keep our cells (and ourselves) alive.
It isn’t always so easy to hear our heartbeat, but it is easy to feel it. Begin by having the children sit quietly with their eyes closed, have them take two fingers and place them on pulse points on the inside of the wrists and the side of the neck. Once they have located their pulse, have them use this rhythm to begin moving, just an easy walk around the room. Each child will move at a different pace, since no two heartbeats are exactly the same.
From there, it’s time for a little experimentation. Play some music that has a faster tempo, and have them check their pulse again after the song has ended. What happened? How is has their heartbeat changed? Vary the tempo of the music and check again to see what happens with the heartbeat.
The human body is full of surprises, and finding one’s own pulse is awe-inspiring for young children. They will never forget the power of getting in touch with their pulse and inner rhythm for the first time.
.jpg?picon=694)
By: Adrian,
on 2/1/2010
Blog:
The National Writing for Children Center
(
Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags:
Blog,
for children's writers,
blog chain,
Dorit Sasson,
Grier Cooper,
Irene Roth,
Karen Cioffi,
Kathy Stemke,
Kristi Bernard,
Mayra Calvani,
Nancy I. Sanders,
suzanne lieurance,
Terri Forehand,
Add a tag
This week we have something fun for everyone. It’s a blog chain, and you’re invited to visit all the links in this chain of fun and informative blogs from other children’s writers. Of course, you don’t HAVE to visit every link in the chain, but each link will have something special so you won’t want to miss a thing!
Here are the links in the chain, along with a short description of what you’ll find at each site:
Suzanne Lieurance
Children’s Author, Freelance Writer, the Working Writer’s Coach
http://www.suzannelieurance.com
Suzanne Lieurance is the author of over a dozen published books for children. Find out what she’s up to every day by visiting her author site. You’ll find information about all her books, upcoming writer’s conferences and other events where you’ll find Suzanne, as well as tips for both aspiring and established children’s book authors. Suzanne hosts Book Bites for Kids, a talk show about children’s books, every weekday afternoon on blogtalkradio. Find out who her guests will be each day by reading her blog. Sign up for her mailing list at the site and receive a FREE ebook.
Grier Cooper
Children’s writer, photographer, Dancer
www.griercooper.com
At griercooper.com, you’ll find reviews, tips, and articles about dance and movement for children.
Terri Forehand
Children’s Writer, Nurse, Freelance Writer
terri-forehand.blogspot.com
Terri is a freelance writer drawing on her experience as a pediatric critical care nurse and former elementary school nurse and high school teacher. She writes health and nursing educational material but her passion is in creating fiction and nonfiction for children. She is currently working on a series of easy readers focusing on teaching first aid to elementary students.
Nancy I. Sanders
Bestselling and Award-winning children’s author of over 80 books
www.nancyisanders.wordpress.com
Nancy I. Sanders loves to write for children, and she loves to help other children’s writers on their path to success. Much of the material she posts on her blog is based on her ground-breaking book, Yes! You Can Learn How to Write Children’s Books, Get Them Published, and Build a Successful Writing Career, Award-winning Finalist of the National Best Books 2009 Awards. Nancy writes a column for children’s writers for the Writer’s online magazine, the Institute of Children’s Literature e-News, and the Christian Communicator. She is on faculty at the National Writing for Children Center.
Mayra Calvani
Children’s Author, Reviewer
www.mayrassecretbookcase.blogspot.com
Mayra’s Secret Bookcase features book reviews, author and publishing professional interviews, and articles on writing.
Karen Cioffi
Author, Freelance Writer, Reviewer
karenandrobyn.blogspot.com
Stop by this site where you’ll find frequently updated writing and marketing tips and resources, and reviews. Sign up for the free monthly newsletter and get a FREE ebook.
3 Comments on Travel Along This Week’s Blog Chain!, last added: 2/4/2010
Today we kick off Black History month with an interview with Nancy I. Sanders, author of the new book America’s Black Founders.
This is also Day 1 of Nancy’s virtual tour for this book.
Nancy I. Sanders with Her New Book America’s Black Founders
When I wrote America’s Black Founders, it was an amazing journey of discovery. For instance, I learned that there are actual handwritten documents from leading African Americans still in existence from the 1700 and 1800s! These included a ballad penned during the Siege of Boston, letters written home from a soldier who had been at Valley Forge, and petitions containing important signatures. I also discovered that in private collections, various historic sites, state archives, and public repositories could be found original documents and images detailing key contributions African Americans made during the founding years of our nation. With each discovery I made, my excitement grew. I was determined to find images of as many of these items as I could in order to share these discoveries in my book with the new generation of America’s youth and future freedom builders.
In the world of publishing, sometimes a publisher locates images and sometimes an author does. According to my contract with Chicago Review Press, the author is responsible for finding and paying for any image used in a book in their “For Kids” series. I had never done this before, so it was a brand new adventure. Here are some of the steps I went through to gather images and make this book the best it could be.
Explore: I set up a separate e-mail account to handle the contacts I made to collect the images. This made my search so much easier to track. Then I explored various ways to acquire the digital images my publisher required. I looked for the “photograph credits” listed in the books I was using as research. I discovered there are professional repositories of images that charge over a thousand dollars for use of one of their images in my book. I contacted large historical societies and discovered that they charge over $100 for use of one of their digitized images in my book. Small historical societies and state archives had smaller fees such as $10 to $35 per image. Some offered the use of their images for free. Since I also wanted to include images of a variety of historic sites, I went on Flickr.com and found that many generous individuals were willing to offer free use of their photographs at these sites in my book in exchange for a line of credit next to the image. I also went through my own photographs that I had taken sightseeing at various historic sites to see if any were good enough quality to use in my book. I was happy to discover that many were.
Budget: Since I had to pay for every image out of my own pocket, I made a priority list of images I wanted to include in my book. The more important, obscure images were at the top of my list and were ones that I was willing to pay more for permission to use. Any key images that were free, especially original documents or paintings from the 1700s and 1800s, were automatically slotted for use in my book. These included images from the Library of Congress that stated “No known restrictions on publication.” The images of lesser importance were carefully evaluated regarding their cost as to whether or not I decided to include them.
Permissions: Organizations usually had their own permission form for me to fill out and sign, and then they countersigned. Some organizations and most individuals didn’t, so I used a permissions form provided by the publisher for them to sign. To obtain permission
Reviewed by Donna M. McDine
Title: Awakening of the Dream Riders
Written by: Lynda Louise Mangoro
Soft cover: 226 pages
Ages: 9-12
Publisher: Journeymakers, Inc. Publishing
ISBN: 13-978-0-9841142-1-4 ?
Published: January 2010
The awakening of one’s destiny can take an individual by surprise. Especially a child who is thrust into circumstances they many not fully understand. Couple it with friends who are as equally gifted and with spiritual guidance; one’s gifts will soar.
For every relationship a person has, each has a specific reason why they are connected to you. Without exception the lives of Kyra and her friends are forever bound to learn and accept their life lessons and what they can do to make humankind more accepting to one another through each of their special abilities.
Will Kyra and her friends come to a full understanding of their gifts in time to save the person in their first assignment? Come along for this spellbinding journey of self discovery and not judging a book by its cover. For you too may unearth a new perspective and attitude towards those in your life.
Discover Lynda Louise Mangoro’s spiritual and fascinating world at www.mangoro.co.uk/dreamriders and be amazed by what the universe has to offer.
************
Donna McDine visit her online at http://www.donnamcdine.com. sign the guestbook and receive FREE e-Book, Write What Inspires You Author Interviews.
by Amy M. O’Quinn
To continue with my series on introducing children to the fine arts, I am going to discuss music appreciation and composer study and give ideas for how easy it is to incorporate this type of learning into our everyday lives. First however, I’d like to recap while I feel this type of exposure is so important.
Why Study Fine Arts?
“Charlotte Mason, a 19th century British educator, believed that exposing children to great ideas and beauty in all areas inspired them to greatness as well. She theorized that by letting them become familiar with the best artists, composers, and writers, they would be less willing to settle for mediocrity in themselves. As Elizabeth Gutman said in her book, The Story of Art, part of The Bookshelf for Boys and Girls series: “The magic power of art can arouse all kinds of emotions in us, from simple joy to much deeper feelings. And artists are great people whose works can gladden our eyes, enrich our thoughts, and deepen our feelings.”
“I think these words can apply to ALL areas of the fine arts. And with today’s norm of following the crowd or being happy with the status quo, we should want our children to be inspired and motivated to strive for more—to reach for excellence instead of being content with the marginal.”
Why listen to classical music or study composers?
We’ve all heard about the ‘Mozart Effect’ in the last few years. There have been books and studies claiming that listening to the music of Mozart actually helps to develop the brain, improve short term memory, and increase IQ. Many parents have jumped on the bandwagon and are exposing their children, some even before birth, to Mozart.
There is great debate on whether or not there really is anything to this theory, but research does show that when a child listens to classical music the right hemisphere of the brain is activated, and when a child studies a musical instrument both the left and right hemispheres of the brain light up. Nevertheless, the interest generated by this phenomenon has catapulted classical music back into the spotlight, and that in itself has been a good thing.
In addition, classical music is simply beautiful and peaceful. It’s universal and no matter what language, music forges a common bond. Music also creates emotions and enriches lives with the fulfillment that comes from enjoyment. Many people believe that the soothing tones of classical music influences children’s behavior in a positive way and increases attention span and concentration. A working knowledge of classical music and the men who wrote it also makes for a well-rounded education and individual. But never underestimate the ability of a very young child to appreciate and recognize a piece of music or the work of a composer. When my son was about two years old, he would shout out, “Tchaikovsky!” whenever he heard Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy!
The composers who made these musical contributions to the world are important in their own right and have their places in history as well. Many of them had extraordinary lives and are quite interesting to read about. Children are usually fascinated to learn things such as the fact that Mozart was a child prodigy who composed music by the age of five or that Beethoven continued to write music even after he lost his hearing. And although it’s easy to introduce our children to the composers as we expose them to various pieces of music, we can do so by casually mentioning the na
by Roma Cox
What is the difference between Main Idea and author’s purpose?
Main Idea: All stories, paragraphs, poems and articles have a main idea. The main idea tells us what the passage is about. The main idea, if stated, is also known as a topic sentence, and is usually stated in the first or last sentence of the paragraph, but not always. Sometimes it is in the middle of the paragraph, and sometimes it is not even stated (but implied). The other sentences tell more about the topic sentence. To find the main idea, one needs to ask themselves, “What is this passage mostly about?”
Author’s Purpose: Every author has a purpose for writing his passage. It might be to give information, explain something, solve a problem, sell something, persuade, or even simply to entertain. Authors support their purpose for writing with their point of view…their thoughts, feelings and beliefs.
In reading fiction, one needs to know who is telling the story. Is it a main character? Or is it someone else, a narrator? It is also important to understand the tone or mood of a story (the feeling that the author creates). Is it funny, sad, or scary?
Children often have difficulty distinguishing the difference between these two reading elements. I find it helpful to teach Main Idea first, making sure they understand before I move on to Author’s Purpose. After they understand both concepts we discuss the differences. it is also important to question and listen to the child so you are sure they understand.
How to teach these to concepts: To begin with explain the concept you are teaching. You can actually read the descriptions I give above or use your own words if you like.
The next step can be quite fun if you adjust to the child’s interests. Do they like to fish, hunt, play games, help you, tell stories, or read about certain subjects? I have had students write a letter or an article, and then ask them to tell me their main idea and/ or authors purpose along with other questions mentioned above. Sometimes I choose passages that I know they would be interested in reading, and ask the same questions. While viewing a TV advertisement (or an advertisement on a cereal box) it can be fun to ask them what they think the authors purpose is, and if they agree with it. There are numerous daily activities that can support your teaching objectives.
Using curriculum is great too. There is some very good curriculum out there, which can be a time saver for you the educator, and there is nothing wrong with that if it is working for you and your student. I personally use both curriculum and the creative methods.
Don’t be intimidated. With a little information and the right tools, teaching children to read is fun and easy.
***************
Roma Cox, who is a professional tutor, has over 32 years experience in helping children learn to read. She is often given the children that are expected to fail, and her success record with these kids is 88.8%, and higher if given the children before problems develop.
She has an elementary reading curriculum available on line that “children beg to play”…not like anything else. You can learn more about her curriculum, her services, and receive her free News Letter by visiting her web site www.read-phonics.com.
Article source – ezinearticles.com
by Karen Cioffi
Writing in general can be a tough business; writing for children is even tougher. Writing for children has its own unique tricks, processes, and rules; one of those rules is using words that are age appropriate.
How this differs from writing in general is that the children’s writing arena is divided into specific age groups. There are picture books and rebus stories for the very young child. The story line and text are simple; they need to tell a story including basic conflict and action, but they are geared toward the comprehension of young children.
Next comes early readers. Again, the words used and plot are relatively simple to help the child learn to read.
The next genre is chapter books. Here the plot and words grow just like the child has. The story can be more involved and geared to hold the child’s attention with mild mystery, suspense, and fantasy.
Then it’s on to middle grade. At this point, the child has grown and has greater comprehension and vocabulary, so should the stories for them. The plot and conflict can be more complex than the earlier chapter books.
Finally, it’s on to young adult. This genre’s stories can be sophisticated and involved enough to attract adult readership. But, it obviously should still be written avoiding hard core subject matter. While it can deal with just about all topics, it should be void explicit adult context. Writing for adults is simpler; the writer usually writes with the vocabulary he/she is use to.
The question is: How does a writer know which words are specific to a particular age group? Unless you are an experienced writer and have become very familiar with the different age group vocabularies, you will need help in this area.
Three Sources/Tools for Finding Age Appropriate Words
1. A source that I’ve found very useful is Children’s Writer’s Word Book, 2nd Edition, by Alijandra Mogilner and Tayopa Mogilner. It lists specific words that are introduced at seven key reading levels (kindergarten through sixth grade). It provides a thesaurus of those words with synonyms, annotated with reading levels. In addition, it offers detailed guidelines for sentence length, word usage, and themes at each reading level. I find it a valuable tool in my writing toolbelt.
2. Another great source is Intervention Central Intervention Central, which utilizes Spache and Dale formulas. This is an amazing site that allows you to input up to 200 words, choose a readability formula (what grade level you are writing for), and click for the results. The program, OKAPI (an internet application for creating curriculum-based assessment reading probes) will return a readability analysis of your text, indicating what grade level the particular content is appropriate for.
3. Next is Englishraven.com Englishraven.com. This site provides Dolch (sight word listed for frequency and importance) wordlists for each grade level. The lists are limited, but it does give a good indication of appropriate words for the particular age group you are writing for.
All three of these resources are useful in finding just the right words for the children’s writer. There are also other books and sites available that will help you in your search for those age appropriate words for your children’s book, just do a search.
1 Comments on Writing for Children – Finding Age Appropriate Words, last added: 1/24/2010
Learn more about Kristi Bernard at 
This is a great idea. I love the CWCC.
It’s been awhile since I did any writing for children. But I think this is a great idea, and if it gets me thinking about writing for kids again, well, three cheers for CWCC!
Thanks, Suzanne, for”The Morning Nudge.”