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by Amy M. O’Quinn

Good readers get the big picture. They comprehend the meaning of the text and better understand what the author is trying to convey. In addition, learning to identify a character’s point of view in a simple picture book or story is a great way to introduce children to an important aspect of being a good reader.

It will also prepare them for heavier literature when they get older when identifying a character’s point of view is vital to understanding the plot and the underlying meaning or theme of the story. It is a skill to develop through the years, and having a basic working knowledge of this device will also help students learn about the first person, second person, third person, omniscient, and limited omniscient points of view as they mature as readers and writers.

Point of View (POV):

POV is simply the standpoint or position from which the reader gets to observe, consider, or ‘hear’ the story. For this particular article, I would like to concentrate on a first person narrative POV from a well-known children’s story.

A Simple Way To Teach POV:

Almost everyone knows the story of The Three Little Pigs and the Big Bad Wolf. The pigs are the victims and the wolf is the villain. We ‘hear’ the story from the viewpoint of the three little pigs, and we feel sorry for them—right down to the hairs on their chinny-chin-chins! The wolf is a mean, evil character, and we are happy to see justice served in the end. Obviously, he deserves what he gets!

So gather your students around and read the traditional story of The Three Little Pigs. Or have them act out the story with parts—using appropriate voices and simple costumes if possible. My children always use a high, squeaky voice for the pigs and a low, growly voice for the wolf. Discuss the elements of the story and the perspectives of the characters. Who is ‘good’ and who is ‘bad’? Who is right and who is wrong? How did the pigs feel and react when the wolf came to each of their doors?

A Twist:

But what if there is a chance that the traditional tale we all know and love might not be the ‘real’ story! What if the wolf has a different version of the story to tell? What about his POV?

The True Story of the Three Little Pigs:

Here is where the fun begins! Purchase or check out Jon Scieszka’s hilarious book, The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs from your local library and read it to the students. As Alexander T. Wolf, the narrator, tells his audience on the very first page:

“Everybody knows the story of the Three Little Pigs. Or at least they think they do. But I’ll let you in on a little secret. Nobody knows the real story, because nobody has ever heard my side of the story.”

Of course, in this version, we hear from Alexander T. Wolf. He claims that he had a cold and all that he wanted to do was borrow a cup of sugar from one of his neighbors when all the trouble began. According to him, he was framed!

Now discuss the differences in the two stories and the POVs. Compare and contrast. Make a comparison chart if possible.

The Verdict:

So who is telling the truth, the pigs or the wolf? Who is more believable? Why? Should Alexander T. Wolf have been

Start a book club at your school, or bring a children’s book author to visit your students!
Target awards grants to schools, libraries and nonprofit organizations to support programs such as after-school reading events and weekend book clubs. Click here to learn more!

This week’s LIVE teleclass for children’s writers will take place on Thursday, March 11, 2010, at 3:00 CST. The topic of the teleclass is Marketing Tips for Children’s Authors & Aspiring Children’s Book Authors.

Click here to learn more about the teleclass and to register!

The human brain is a funny thing in its tendency to quickly reach boredom, Spend too long doing the same thing, or do the same thing too many times, too often, and suddenly there you are. Perhaps the subconscious desire for change serves an important purpose in driving us to continually try new things or different approaches in order to keep our lives dynamic and fresh.

This especially true than when working with children. Young brains haven’t had time to develop much in the way of patience, so focusing and repetition, while necessary, are also difficult. Sometimes they’ll get bored very quickly. Here are a few ideas to help liven things up:

Add something surprising. If you want to get their attention, try something strange, exciting, or gross. Try wheelbarrow races, jumping contests, or high-speed butt-shaking.

A little humor goes a long way. Laughter is powerful medicine, and it rules supreme with children. Have them do a silly walking contest, or better yet, the “underpants dance”, which can be their personal interpretation. The movements won’t matter at all, but the title is sure to get them going.

Use a new technique. If you always begin standing, then start the dance on the floor instead. If you usually teach particular choreography, then play music and let them dance freeform. For an added plus, make it into a game of “freeze dance”, where children freeze in position whenever you randomly turn off the music.

Try a change of scenery. A change of environment can break up routine quickly. Try moving outside in the grass, or in a different room, or with the lights off (Pass out flashlights ahead of time if you have them).

Change your music often. Even teachers need inspiration, and new music always spices things up.

“Bored” is a five-letter word. But with a few simple techniques, you can eliminate it from their vocabulary permanently. We all need fresh ideas, challenges and stimulation. It only requires a few minutes of planning ahead. The results are worth it!

by Amy M. O’Quinn

The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.

~Dr. Seuss

Mark your calendar for March 2nd! Why, you may ask? Well, at our home we will celebrate my daughter’s tenth birthday on that day. But other children across America will also be celebrating the birthday of beloved author, Dr. Seuss, as well as participating in ‘Read Across America’, sponsored by the National Education Association.

What is Read Across America?

In 1997, a small task force at NEA came up with the big idea to set aside one day to really celebrate reading and motivate children across the country to pick up a book and read. They wanted the whole event to be exciting and inspiring—and to promote a love of reading. The task force also decided that March 2nd, the birthday of Theodor Seuss Geisel (better known as Dr. Seuss) would be the perfect date. Thus, ‘Read Across America’ was born, and the first annual celebration was held on March 2, 1998.

According the NEA website, “Motivating children to read is an important factor in student achievement and creating lifelong successful readers. Research has shown that children who are motivated and spend more time reading do better in school.”

How does it work?

Although the NEA created and sponsors ‘Read Across America,’ teachers, parents, librarians, bookstore personnel, and other community volunteers at the local level organize and implement all kinds of exciting events to celebrate reading and get children involved in special literacy activities. There are many great ideas on the NEA/RAA website, as well as state educational association websites. The possibilities are endless.

What child doesn’t love a Dr. Seuss book? The rhythm and rhyme are delightful, and everyone has a favorite. My children enjoyed all the Dr. Seuss books, but they especially liked Green Eggs and Ham, Mr. Brown Can Moo, Can You? and The Cat in the Hat. In fact, they can all recite most of Green Eggs and Ham from memory. Would you? Could you?

When we first began homeschooling, I quickly discovered that Dr. Seuss books were perfect for oral reading practice to enhance fluency. The children loved the nonsensical language, yet they were able to experience reading success because of the simple words, repetition and familiarity of ‘old friends’ they’d known for years. Beginning readers need to feel successful; it motivates them to keep learning. Plus, the stories written by Dr. Seuss are just plain fun, and everyone needs a good giggle or chuckle from time to time.

How Can You Be Involved in Read Across America?

There are events and activities scheduled all over the country—in large cities and small communities. Chances are, the local school system, your child’s teacher, or your neighborhood librarians have already planned some special things for March 2nd. Visit the NEA website or your state educational association to find some fabulous fun near you. Perhaps you may even decide to volunteer or help organize some events.

If you have preschool children or are a homeschooling parent, you can also plan some activities to do with your child at home. Although we advocate reading ALL year long, it is still fun to have a special day to do something just a little bit different.

A Few Simple Ideas:

-Read Green Eggs and Ham—then MAKE green eggs and ham. Add a

Out on the west coast, signs of spring are beginning to emerge: rolling hillsides are covered with brilliant emerald grasses, and flowering cherry and plum trees are beginning to bud. We have rounded the corner of the darkest time of year, and the new blooms are so welcome that people are walking with a spring in their step and a song in their hearts; this is what joy looks like when it is expressed in the body.

We have sayings about this feeling, such as “jump for joy.” Joy does make us feel lighter, like floating. It is such a natural part of being human, such a wonderful part that we all enjoy. Why not celebrate that feeling with movement?

Begin with playing music that inspires the feeling of joy, such as Vivaldi’s Four Seasons. Next, try exploring the basic components of joyful movement. Imagining that your heart is full, try moving across the floor, walking or running, feeling as light and free as possible. To stay light on your feet requires stepping more gently, and slightly on tiptoe. Skipping is another joyful movement, as is any sort of jump. As you skip, encourage students to use their full range of movement, incorporating the arms and upper body. How many different ways can you skip? High, low, fast, slow, turning… there are lots of options. The same holds true with jumping, although there are even more variables to play with. For instance, try jumping with your legs together, split apart, straight, bent, or any other combination.

Once you have explored all of the components of joyful movement, have your students put the pieces together into their personal version of the dance. After letting everyone dance simultaneously, try one last variation by having the students form a large circle and have each student take a turn in the center. Those in the circle can continue dancing in place if they wish, taking care to give the person in the center and the other members of the circle enough room to move.

Spring may not be in the air quite yet, but we can rest assured it is right around the corner. In the meantime, we can carry the associated feelings of hope and joy in our hearts and keep our eyes open for the first signs of new life.

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For more articles and other resources about dance and movement for kids, visit www.griercooper.com and www.becomearealballerina.com.

Listen to this Interview with children’s author, and instructor for the Children’s Writers’ Coaching Club, Simon Rose on Robin Falls Kids:

by Debra Beck

What every parent wants for their child is to give them the tools to become mature adults that know how to make good decisions for themselves.

So how can we help our kids learn how to make good decisions for themselves? When they leave the house at 18 years old, when we are nowhere around, and they are faced with a problem, that they can look into their bag of tools and make a decision that is in their best interest.

The way I see it is if you want to get good a something, you have to practice. So, we have to give our kids practice with making decisions. Every time an issue arises, whether it be their issue or and issue of someone else’s they are talking about, is our chance to let them practice. When something comes up where a decision needs to be made, instead of saying “this is the way it is, because I’m your parent”, try sitting with them and discussing the problem. Right down the pros and cons and ask them what decision would they make and why. Don’t get emotionally involved, meaning try to keep your fears out of it.

Here’s an example: Your daughter says something about a girl at school, who is smoking cigarettes at 12 years old. Instead of freaking out and saying “ are you kidding, she is way to young to smoke, do her parents know about this.” This is an opportunity to communicate with your teen. By the way the definition of communication is: the exchange of information between individuals, not the opinion of one person. Ask your teen what she thinks about smoking, what are the things that are cool about it, and what are the things that are not good about it. You may be saying, “COOL ABOUT IT, are you crazy, there is nothing cool about it”, again your opinion is not communication. I guarantee you there are kids that think smoking is cool. What are the pro’s and con’s, how they feel about smoking, and what they think about this teen smoking at 12, if they think it is a good decision or not. I’m not saying if they come up with more reasons to smoke then not, that you buy them a pack of cigarettes.

Teens are pretty smart; give them the opportunity to show you they have a good head on their shoulders. So again, the goal is to help them practice making good decisions, don’t make the decisions for them through your opinions. What we want is are teens to feel free to come to us with anything, if they feel judgments, which most of the time your opinions will feel like, they will not want to communicate with you.

So here are the tips plain and simple.

Start communicating with your teen; leave your opinions out of the conversation.

Every time something comes up that appears to be a good topic, ex: smoking, drinking, body image, sex, drugs, friendships, careers, schools, style, okay any topic will do, practice, practice, practice!

Practice by asking them questions about how they feel about it, go over the pros and cons, and ask them what they would do and why.

The more they learn how to make good decisions, the better decisions they will make for themselves when you are not around. The more confident they will be with who they are and continue to make good decisions. Would you agree that you as a parent have more experience with decision-making then your 13 year old? Of course you do, so make sure they feel free to come to you to learn this process.

Debra Beck is the author of My Feet Aren’t Ugly, A girl’s guide to loving herself from the inside out. Learn more about her and her book at
www.myfeetarentugly.com.