A couple of months ago, I discovered an ad in HaModia for a newsletter called “Chevras Chaverim.” It’s a little magazine for Jewish kids with special needs. We’ve received the first two issues, one before Rosh HaShanah, one before Sukkot. Each newsletter contains several “departments,” tailored to the needs of kids with social skills problems, sensory processing disorder, and the like. The organizer loves feedback, and wants kids to submit things for publication. The subscription is free for now and you get it by emailing “Chevras Chaverim” at Chevraschaverim@gmail.com.
kids
Using books to build the emotional intelligence of children: Innovative programming at Aleinu/JFS this week
Aleinu Family Services here in Los Angeles will be integrating literature into parenting classes over the next few weeks. Parents attend with children in tow. The Aleinu therapists have selected picture books that effectively communicate social and personal skills to children, then developed discussions and art activities for parent(s) to share with their child(ren) to reinforce those ideas. Many teachers do this in classrooms, and some parents do this will their own children, but this is the first time I’ve seen this in a therapeutic setting like this. Very creative! See the flyer below for details. * UPDATE: THE TIME FOR THE SECOND AND THIRD PARTS OF THE PROGRAM HAVE BEEN CHANGED TO 6-7:15 p.m.
Summer reading
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| image from ClipArt ETC |
I’m not a Pinterest fan, but here’s a wonderful post by a fellow blogger at the Nerdy Book Club that gives super projects to make summer reading fun in your family.
Summertime is the perfect time to develop a love of reading in your kids. Kids can select their own reading material based on their own interests rather than what their teachers think they should be reading. They can also read at their own pace without meeting a deadline. If your family (or your child’s camp bunk) goes on an interesting outing, they can select books that dovetail nicely with the subject matter.
Many libraries have summer book clubs that your kids can join. Just go see the children’s librarian for details at your neighborhood branch.
The Stuff You Find When Cleaning Your Kid’s Room
Looking to make storytime more interactive with your kids? I was reshelving books in my kids’ room today, and came across this book:
This “We Both Read” book is one of a series put out by Treasure Bay. What sets these charming books apart is that the books are meant for young readers to share with an adult. Each pair of facing pages contains a page on the left with adult-level words, and a page on the right with leveled vocabulary perfect for the child to read. The parent/teacher and child work together to tell the story, building it jointly. It really enhances the bonding element of bedtime reading, and that coupled with the ease of reading the “kids” page often motivates the reluctant reader.
(You can take turns reading a more traditional text–I find the strategy highly effective with my newest reader at home–but these books make it EASY.)
There are fiction and non-fiction titles in the “We Both Read” series, many multicultural selections, and levels K-3. For more information, follow the link below.
http://www.webothread.com/server/TreasureBay/website/main/scripts/default.asp
How to find a kosher book: Nifty bit in this week’s HaModia
There’s an article this week about Rabbi Alexander Seinfeld in HaModia, and it mentions almost as an aside that he and his 12 year old daughter have started a website with books for Jewish kids.
I visited the site, and the coolest thing is that it is SEARCHABLE! You can look up selections by subject and by age of reader, as well as title and author. However, it does not contain all the books out there. I’m assuming it is a work in progress and I’m very impressed with what they’ve done so far. It would be a great resource, for example, for those looking to buy a gift for a particular child or looking to stock up for a school or classroom library.
The link is in the list to the right of this blog, as well, and will remain there indefinitely.
In other “HaModia” news…my all-time favorite serial (aside from the one co-written by yours truly…) wrapped up in that magazine last week. Hopefully, This is America! will soon appear in novel format in Jewish bookstores. I really hope so, as it will deservingly find more readers this way.
More groovy graphic books for new readers
I’m still on my graphic literature kick. Here are several more graphic books for young readers that will get them really reading…all are appropriate for the “kosher” audience:
The wonderful “Elephant and Piggie” series by Mo Willems.
Today I Will Fly is the first book my almost 6 year old read entirely on his own. Elephant and Piggie books are accessible even to many 5 and 6 year olds and are a fabulous way to ingrain the pleasure of independent reading. The stories are so silly, with easy vocabulary and spare but charming illustrations. The kids have so much fun, they forget they are reading.
Luke on the Loose
For readers at 2nd grade level and up, the oblivious misadventures of a boy lost in the big city as he chases pigeons in the park. For fun, comic fans can spot Tintin, Captain Haddock, Olive Oyl, and the Incredible Hulk in the book.
Binky the Space Cat
The wacky adventures of a very indoor cat who thinks Outer Space starts in his front yard. For ages 7 and up. Adults will especially enjoy this one, particularly if they are cat lovers.
Rick and Rack books from Balloon Toons
The timeless encounter between unlikely friends: the optimist and the pessimist. Lots of wackiness and a character lesson about the merits of optimism to boot.
Rebecca Klempner 