by Donna | May 16, 2011
“I would be most content if my children grew up to be the kind of people who think decorating consists mostly of building enough bookshelves.” ~Anna Quindlen, “Enough Bookshelves”
For homework help this week, I am going to introduce readers to creating a reading environment for new readers. If you do not have a new reader, please read anyway! Lots of info that pertains to families with all kinds/levels of kids!
During my graduate studies (in Reading Specialist) at Ball State University, I did a master’s thesis about children who learn to read without any reading instruction. That is, the kids just suddenly started reading books without ever having phonics lessons, basal readers, or other “formal instruction.” It was a challenging thesis simply because there is so little data about it because of our “early school attendance age.” Seldom does a child learn to read “naturally” before age six or seven, and with kids going to school at age five (and often beginning reading instruction in kindergarten), the research was sparse concerning these “instructionless” readers.
I did find enough, however, and I was also blessed to find a family who had a natural reader to compare the printed data with. My observations, coupled with the studies in teaching journals, etc., led me to find what I called the “environment” in which natural readers are raised. This led me to other lines of thinking—if a child can learn to read with absolutely no instruction in a literary-saturated environment, wouldn’t this environment be conducive to helping those who DO receive instruction learn to read better, more easily, and more naturally?
The answer, of course, was yes. Study after study shows the type of environment that causes kids to learn better. Duplicating the “natural reader’s” environment can only help our kids learn better. Maybe our creating this “literary atmosphere” will not automatically make our six year old pick up a book and begin reading, but if it makes the learning process (actually any/all learning processes) easier, more enjoyable, and less stressful, why wouldn’t we want to duplicate it in our homes for all of our kids?
Tomorrow and the next day I will detail this environment and its outcomes. But today I will leave you with a little hint: one of the characteristics of the home of a natural reader has something to do with the quote at the beginning of this post. Smile…
by Donna | Apr 29, 2011
National Poetry Month is quickly coming to a close. While I have given some suggestions for poetry books for various ages (https://positiveparenting3-6-5.blogspot.com/2011/04/detournational-poetry-month-poetry-book.html), I just realized that I have never reviewed another one of my favorite “collections”–a Christian poetry collection.
So…before the National Poetry Month gets away from me, allow me to introduce you to something that I have enjoyed with older kids (ages twelve and up) as a Bible related, inspirational, devotional, literary-based “daily” (more often than not!) read: “The One Year Book of Poetry.”
This daily “devotional” contains inspirational poetry from many, many years ago to current. It has classic authors that everybody should be familiar with, as well as some lesser known. Each poem is set up in a daily, two-page spread–with the poem (or stanzas of the poem) on the left and a one page description on the right. The descriptive text introduces you to the author and gives details of the time period, the struggles the author may have been experiencing as he or she wrote, how the poem was received, etc. Many of them explain some of the more complex aspects of imagery and vocabulary. Yes, it’s a Bible/inspirational/literature lesson all in one book! I highly recommend this as an addition to your “daily” read alouds! 🙂
For purchase in hardcover: https://www.parable.com/parable/item.One-Year-Books-The-One-Year-Book-of-Poetry-Comfort-Phil.9780842337120.htm
To see inside (you’ll love this!): https://www.amazon.com/One-Year-Book-Poetry-Books/dp/0842337121#_
by Donna | Apr 29, 2011
Ending our posts on National Poetry Month–((https://languagelady365.blogspot.com/2011/04/day-83-national-poetry-month-part-i-of.html ).
No poet is equipped without his or her handy rhyming dictionary! The one I have linked below is a thorough adult version. Very impressive.
There are rhyming word dictionaries (the one we have is softcover from Scholastic–and is very thorough for a student) for children as well.
Check this one out for adults: https://www.amazon.com/Complete-Rhyming-Dictionary-Including-Poets/dp/0440212057
by Donna | Apr 28, 2011
More for National Poetry Month ((https://languagelady365.blogspot.com/2011/04/day-83-national-poetry-month-part-i-of.html ).
If you are interested in learning more about writing poetry or improving the poetry you do write, you might want to obtain the poetry handbook described below. I like trying different kinds than I normally write (which are nearly alwyas rhymed verse of fairly “normal” rhyme schemes–ABAB, AABBCC, ABCB, etc.). A handbook such as this one helps me learn about other styles–and challenges me to give them a try!
There are many handbooks out there–but the one below received rave reviews, is not too long, and is written by an award-winning poet.
Amazon.com Review: This slender guide by Mary Oliver deserves a place on the shelves of any budding poet. In clear, accessible prose, Oliver (winner of both the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award for poetry) arms the reader with an understanding of the technical aspects of poetry writing. Her lessons on sound, line (length, meter, breaks), poetic forms (and lack thereof), tone, imagery, and revision are illustrated by a handful of wonderful poems (too bad Oliver was so modest as to not include her own). What could have been a dry account is infused throughout with Oliver’s passion for her subject, which she describes as “a kind of possible love affair between something like the heart (that courageous but also shy factory of emotion) and the learned skills of the conscious mind.” One comes away from this volume feeling both empowered and daunted. Writing poetry is good, hard work.
https://www.amazon.com/Poetry-Handbook-Mary-Oliver/dp/0156724006
Tomorrow–tips on getting started writing or teaching poetry.
by Donna | Apr 27, 2011
First of all, I want to share a link to an awesome poetry handbook for those desiring to sell their poetry. It is put out by Writer’s Digest Books (lots of goodies from them!), those folks who put out the Writer’s Market and other “market” books for selling writing.
From the back of this helpful “sales” book:
*Features on the realities of poetry publishing, mistakes to avoid, identifying scams, giving great readings, and promoting your work.
*Information on workshops, organizations, and online resources that help poets perfect their skills and network with fellow poets and editors.
*Thorough indexes to make choosing the best potential markets easier.
*Access to all “Poet’s Market” listings in a searchable online database.
I haven’t sold a lot of poetry—just a few for review to Blue Mountain Art and a few here and there for Christian newsletters and magazines. However, I would love to have more time to spend on this (probably not happening since I am working on my thirty-fourth curriculum book right now!). For those who enjoy writing poetry, I say, go for it! Seeing your poetry published is extremely rewarding—and to be able to motivate, inspire, uplift, challenge, or humor someone through your words is incredible!
by Donna | Apr 8, 2011
I once entered a poetry contest that challenged me and others to write a poem using a given word list. I found it stimulating and actually had a lot of fun doing it. Plus, I was pretty excited with the outcome of my little poem!
So…I thought we would have a Poetry Challenge on Language Lady! Here are the rules:
- Write at least four lines (more is okay but not necessary) of poetry (rhymed or free verse) that contains at least six of the words listed below.
- Write your poem on the comment section of the LL blog or the comment section of the LL FB page.
- Have fun!
Ready? Here are the words* you may choose from:
risen Lord forsaken bunny
spring obsolete estranged reticent
life oblivious arduous acclimate
calvary supercilious morning ecstatic
benevolent bestowed embolden tenacity
*Note: You may use any form, tense, or plural/singular of the words. For example, you may use bunnies rather than bunny or arduously rather than arduous.
