ReneeNicole – Page 8 – Raising Real Readers

Book Review: Front Desk by Kelly Yang

July 30, 2018August 14, 2018 ReneeNicole Leave a comment

One of the ways we hope Raising Real Readers can help busy parents and caregivers is by keeping an eye out for the latest books that will soon be on all the must-read lists. Very few people have time to keep up with books lists and release dates! Front Desk by Kelly Yang is a great example of a new book with lots of buzz, but even better, it provides an accessible starting point for conversations with your elementary school child about timely, difficult topics. You can see our other book recommendations here.

Please follow us and share this post:

Book Review: Everything Everything by Nicola Yoon

July 20, 2018August 14, 2018 ReneeNicole Leave a comment

I think some of the most exciting work happening in children’s literature is found in the Young Adult niche. A couple of my most favorite reads from the past year are young adult books. They are stories that dig deep into the human spirit. Plus, I love that they typically read a bit quicker than many books geared toward adults–perfect for summer days when you’ve got one eye on the kids in the pool and one eye devouring your book. Everything Everything by Nicola Yoon is just such a book.

Please follow us and share this post:

The Cost of Classroom Libraries: A Teacher’s Dowry (and How You Can Help)

July 16, 2018August 14, 2018 ReneeNicole Leave a comment

Teachers and their struggle for fair compensation have finally been making headlines. Stories long known in education circles are being heard by the broader public: teachers with second and third jobs to make ends meet, lack of upkeep with inflation, and out-of-pocket expenses for supplies.

A dark, hidden secret that still hasn’t had its moment in the spotlight: in most public schools, classroom libraries are almost always funded by teachers themselves. These vital tools for teaching children literacy skills and a love of reading are basically charitable donations made by already underpaid employees.

Please follow us and share this post:

What To Do When When Your Child Is Skipping Words While Reading

July 12, 2018August 14, 2018 ReneeNicole Leave a comment

Any parent or caregiver who has endured those early months and years of children reading aloud know how much patience it requires. And often, we feel ill equipped to help our children when we notice a recurring problem. Skipping words ranks high on my list of head scratching issues during this phase, so I love this simple guide to navigating such a common problem from Renee. -Nicole

Skipping words (or omitting as it’s called in teacher-speak) is a common reading behavior you may notice when your child reads to you. As a Title I Reading Interventionist, it’s probably the most common error I see, and chances are you do it too! It’s an issue that typically falls into two categories: skipping small words and skipping critical words.

Please follow us and share this post:

Productive Struggle: What It Is and Why Your Child Needs It

July 6, 2018August 14, 2018 ReneeNicole Leave a comment

When I read Renee’s first draft of this post about productive struggle, I had just come home from the children’s triathlon in my town. At the event, I thought to myself, “All the people who think kids these days are lazy should come to this,” because all the triathletes, regardless of skill or athletic ability, show incredible perseverance. One child was even rescued by lifeguards and then still went on to finish the bike and run portion of the race. C’mon…how many adults do you know who would keep going under those circumstances? It was a visible reminder of the entire point of this post:

Kids usually rise to the challenge when we adults give them the space, encouragement, and opportunity to do so.

Please follow us and share this post:

Location, Location, Location

July 3, 2018August 14, 2018 ReneeNicole Leave a comment

We’ve all heard this expression before. And while it usually conjures images of homes in just the right spot, the idea can easily be transferred to the reading life you and your family create.

In the same way that homes can increase or decrease in value because of their location, switching up the places you keep books can make reading more appealing or feel special.

Please follow us and share this post:

The Gift of Imperfection

June 29, 2018August 14, 2018 ReneeNicole Leave a comment

Our first post! Welcome to Raising Real Readers. Check out our About page to learn more about what we hope to accomplish with this website. This post is written by Renee, our reading expert and educator extraordinaire, but she has her busy parent hat on in this one, and I think every parent can relate to what she shares (I know I can!) Reading this, I was reminded of how books ground us, bring us closer to others, and teach us valuable life lessons. Enjoy. -Nicole (Renee’s sister)

Please follow us and share this post: