After reading Grace Lin’s blog article about categorizing Ling and Ting as an early chapter book rather than an easy one, my thought pattern shifted in her direction. She is absolutely right: For most children, reading anything, much less chapter books, is not an easy step. Rather, it’s an early step in literacy. And does “easy” keep youngsters who can read away from books with that label? In deference to Lin’s preference, I am retitling the “Easy” Chapter Book category on this blog to “Early” Chapter Book.
I know nothing about homeschooling requirements nor about how the library supports homeschoolers, other than offering a collection of materials for teachers and parents. This blog is a terrific resource of information about library support for homeschoolers because she includes links to articles about what materials homeschoolers are looking for and/or what they will need.
I followed Abby’s blog for Access to Information in the Spring of ’09 and stopped reading because there was a huge gap in her posts. I went back to see if there was anything new and it turns out she has switched jobs and has begun posting again.
I like Abby’s posts because she reviews books and includes stories of the children’s programs she tries. Her post on June 17, 2009, included a “Cats and Dogs” program she tried in which she used her Bark, George! flannel board. Her enthusiasm is apparent in her blog and her programming choices. I would use her blog to get ideas when I’m creatively blocked.
Metapodcasting; by Teresa Walls at ALSC website; accessed May 8, 2008.
Is it possible to use podcasting to share children’s stories? Because of copyright issues, reading stories for download would infringe on author’s rights. So issues would include creating original content. But possible current uses could include recording book club discussions to post online to share with family members or with club members who couldn’t attend a discussion. Would podcasts be downloaded and listened to? Surveys or allowing comments on the podcasting pages would be ways to track usage.
I’ve considered using podcasts to promote library programs or, better yet, as information literacy tutorials (how to do an advance web search, copyright infringement & use of information, and where to find things in the library).
a librarian's view of books and other kid-friendly resources
Disclaimers: Per the FTC regulations, please note that sometimes books are received for review for free by publishers or authors. All books (ARCs, galleys, library or purchased) will be reviewed fairly; no special consideration is given to anything reviewed on this blog. In addition, I make every attempt to avoid spoilers. Sometimes they happen inadvertently or because they are important to defend a review; not all spoilers have been removed or fixed. This disclaimer is a general statement included as a warning to readers.
According to the Library of Congress's Read.gov site:
"Ever heard of an Exquisite Corpse? It's not what you might think. An Exquisite Corpse is an old game in which people write a phrase on a sheet of paper, fold it over to conceal part of it and pass it on to the next player to do the same. The game ends when someone finishes the story, which is then read aloud.
Our "Exquisite Corpse Adventure" works this way: Jon Scieszka, the National Ambassador for Young People's Literature, has written the first episode, which is "pieced together out of so many parts that it is not possible to describe them all here, so go ahead and just start reading!" He has passed it on to a cast of celebrated writers and illustrators, who must eventually bring the story to an end."
You can read all 26 chapters here
(http://www.read.gov/exquisite-corpse/).
You can also listen to it being read, play games, collect clues and test your knowledge!
