August 2004 Activities

Lesson Plan

- August 2004 Activities -

#1 A parent’s attitude goes a long way toward influencing a child’s feelings about education. One skill that is easily reinforced at home in a positive manner is reading.

One way is to be a good role model and frequently read. Let children see you reading a variety of materials – books, magazines, and newspapers.
Children need time to read, so set aside special reading times with no distractions. One recommendation is to set a goal of reading 15 minutes each day.
If this daily goal is met a minimum of 20 days a month, that totals at least 5 hours of reading. If met for 30 days, it would be 7 ½ hours.

(Click photo to enlarge image.)

Compare this accomplishment to the average time children ages 2 to 17 spend watching television - 19 hours and 40 minutes a week!!!! Or, almost 78 ½ hours a month.
When finding books for a child to read consider these guidelines:
- 2 to 3 mistakes per 100 words is an EASY read
- 5 to 10 mistakes per 100 words is an AVERAGE read
- 10 mistakes or more per 100 words is TOO HARD for independent reading

#2 Some families have discovered that dinner time reading works for them. With busy schedules it can be difficult to gather the family for dinner, but it is worth the effort in building family ties. Also, it is a good time to allow a child to practice reading aloud.

Put the names of the days of the week in a container and pass the container around until all the days are chosen.
The person holding tomorrow’s day must come prepared with a short selection to read after dinner. A child may select a poem, news story, sports card, TV or movie review, food container, devotional story, or anything at their reading level.

(Click photo to enlarge image.)

Post the weekly reading list to remind each family member of their special “reading” day.
Learning to read aloud in a group is a necessary skill that can be practiced at home and build confidence.

#3 Parents’ Choice has made the following recommendations of the best books during the last 25 years. Recommended reading lists are good to use as guidelines but let a child choose books according to their interests. Some families prepare recommended reading lists to pass among cousins and friends. This allows a child to share reading experiences with others who have read the book.

Best 25 Books for Infant through 9 Years

My Very First Mother Goose
Ages: Infant - 4 yrs.
By Iona Opie, Illustrated by Rosemary Wells

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom
Ages: 3 - 6 yrs.
By Bill Martin Jr. & John Archambault, Illustrated by Lois Ehlert

The Three Little Pigs
Ages: 3 - 7 yrs.
Illustrated by James Marshall, Told By James Marshall
Olivia
Ages: 3 - 7 yrs.
By Ian Falconer

Captain Snap and the Children of Vinegar Lane
Ages: 4 - 7 yrs.
By Roni Schotter, Illustrated by Marcia Sewall

Anno’s Italy
Ages: 4 - 8 yrs.
By Mitsumasa Anno, Illustrated by Mitsumasa Anno

Doctor DeSoto
Ages: 4 - 8 yrs.
By William Steig

John Henry
Ages: 4 - 8 yrs.
By Julius Lester, Illustrated by Jerry Pinkney

Julius, the Baby of the World
Ages: 4 - 8 yrs.
By Kevin Henkes

Martha Speaks
Ages: 4 - 8 yrs.
By Susan Meddaugh, Illustrated by Susan Meddaugh

Not So Fast, Songololo
Ages: 4 - 8 yrs.
By Niki Daly

Rumpelstilskin
Ages: 4 - 8 yrs.
By Jacob Grimm, Illustrated by Paul O Zelinsky

Tar Beach
Ages: 4 - 8 yrs.
By Faith Ringgold

The People Could Fly: American Black Folktales
Ages: 4 - 8 yrs.
Illustrated by Leo Dillon & Diane Dillon, Told By Virginia Hamilton

The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales
Ages: 4 - 8 yrs.
By Jon Scieszka, Illustrated by Lane Smith

The Stories Julian Tells
Ages: 4 - 8 yrs. By Ann Cameron, Illustrated by Ann Strugnell
Jerusalem, Shining Still
Ages: 4 & Up
By Karla Kuskin, Illustrated by David Frampton

Beat the Story-Drum, Pum-Pum
Ages: 5 - 8 yrs.
By Ashley Bryan, Illustrated by Ashley Bryan

Little Red Riding Hood
Ages: 5 - 8 yrs.
By Brothers Grimm, Illustrated by Trina S. Hyman

Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters
Ages: 5 - 8 yrs.
By John Steptoe

The Polar Express
Ages: 5 & Up
By Chris Van Allsburg

A Chair for My Mother
Ages: 7 - 10 yrs.
By Vera B. Williams

Hey Willy, See the Pyramids
Ages: 7 - 10 yrs.
By Maira Kalman

In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson
Ages: 7 - 10 yrs.
By Bette Lord, Illustrated by Marc Simont

Ramona Quimby, Age 8
Ages: 7 - 11 yrs.
By Beverly Cleary, Illustrated by Alan Tiegreen