VBS WEEK

I'm so excited I get to participate in some of my favorite things this next week. If you have read my profile you know I am the director for vacation Bible school at my church yeah!!!. What you don't know is that I also led worship rally, I am so excited. We have a western theme so me and the pardners will be heading South West for our adventure. I love working with kids and can't wait to led them in music and encourage them to be all they can be. Needless to say my passion for helping to educate all the other children will come to a halt for the week. I will also have school assignments due making it harder. I'm excited though because some things I will incorporate here when time allows are as follows, geography, beginning readers, and new homeschoolers. The last two I have chosen because I have noticed on some of the sites I visit these are two subjects were information is being sought for the most. Geography? Hey why not it could be fun, and I found some great sites. Well till time allows keep on teaching and learning.

Poetry

I have always loved poetry, it is a great way for one to express themselves. For me it was a way to relieve any and all stress which accompanied me during my teen years. The sad part is now that I have learned to deal with certain issues in my life that come up I no longer write poetry. The good thing is my daughter has grown to love poetry were she now relieves the stress of her teen years. No matter how one chooses to utilize poetry it can be fun and is a great way to get those non-writers writing. I feel non-writers are more likely indulge in poetry due to the variety of styles. Some styles are very simple and require very thought, these tend to allow children to be silly with their writing. But after all is this not what childhood is suppose to be filled with silliness and laughter. Understood their is a time to be serious, but childhood does not last long lets help to make it fun and light hearted.

Lessons for Poetry
This site contains a large selections of lessons for poetry, by doing a copy past you could print out the worksheets.


List of Famous Poets and Poems
This site contains a very extensive list in alphabetical order.


Poetry Worksheets
A nice selection of poetry worksheets which include examples


Writing Poetry for Elementary Grades
This site contains a vast array of links for poetry try the "Poetry Idea Engine" by Scholastic very cute.

Summer Reading

Summer break is here again, I look forward to it just as much as the children do. Just because it is summer though does not mean the learning stops. There are so many opportunities for learning in the every day things we cross paths with. Making frequent trips to the library is one that will keep children reading and learning, even if they are reading mindless frivolous books. There will be plenty of time for discussion and learning from these types of books as well. Words which are not understood will bring children asking what they mean, this is vocabulary. Situations the characters get them selves into will have children asking questions, character building time. Just because a child is off with a book do not dismiss them. Ask them questions about what they are reading this can lead to a great time of discussion, learning and bonding. One will not only get the scoop on a book, but also into the thoughts and feelings of the child reading the book. If your child keeps a reading log encourage them to continue logging their books, if not the link at the bottom will take you to one. Through out this school year the boys have read over one hundred books each, and they are still reading. The reading log for them is a visual of what they have not only accomplished, but also what they need to do in order to obtain their goals. I reward them when they get to a certain number with different things. Though one could see this as a bribe, it is hard to view it that way when they are doing it because they want to. If the child in your life is a non reader encourage them by reading with them, this is a great time for bonding. Though due to the hectic lives most individuals lead these days makes it hard, one chapter could take as little as twenty minutes. Set goals for them if five books are read we can go get an ice cream cone. Set a low limit for those less interested in reading, find out what it is they would like to have. If they want something bigger than an ice cream cone a larger amount may need to be considered. Make sure goals are easily achievable for the child they are being set for. While some will strive to achieve the goal others may need more motivation. The child is known best by the care giver in their lives, remember the goal is to educate not hinder. While I’m blessed to have three children that love to read I know not every household is like this. One thing I do know is that through reading one uses their imagination, spells better, and has a more extensive vocabulary. This may not apply to everyone for we are all created different and learn different, but this does not mean reading should not be encouraged. Take every opportunity to encourage children to read, it is one of the most important tools needed for effective learning.

Reading Log PDF format

Summer Reading Lists
Includes links by grade.


Links for Summer Reading Lists
Extensive list of links for summer reading lists


More Links for Summer Reading Lists
Another site with links to summer reading lists.

Our Greatest Resource

Our greatest natural resource is the children, they are the future of this world. Yet it angers me to see that so little attention is focused on educating them to be the future. If you do a search for non profits geared towards the environment you will see a long list of links to web sites each one having a goal geared towards protecting our earth. I found one web site that had nothing but links to different non profit organizations geared towards this cause. I'm not saying this is a bad thing because our world is important and we need to take care of it if we are to continue to have any type of good life here. But our children are a part of this earth and their education is important if the world is to continue. My next search brought me to another long list of non profits whose mission is to help animals. I am a humanitarian and love animals, but what about the children? How many children are left alone while their parents go off to work because they can not afford a daycare or for someone to care for their child? How many are abused by parents not having the education they need to raise their children appropriately? How many are living with a parent or care giver who has issues they either do not recognize or are in denial about? What is done for these children, oh take them away and put them somewhere else where they become part of a system. Is this really the solution? Though these children are not being cared for they are torn from the people who have been in their lives from the beginning. If education was more important could some of these children be saved? Could the future of their children be better? I believe it could be. Now my last search included non profit education children, please follow the link below to see how much the education of our children means to this world. Education Jump-Off wants to help children become the leaders, scientists, veterinarians, doctors, politicians, and everything else they are capable of being for the future of this world. We will take a stand for the future of our world which starts with our greatest resource, the children.

United States of America
Looks like another silent night
As we're sung to sleep by philosophies
That save the trees and kill the children
By: Casting Crowns

Natural Resources Defense Council


Google Search Non Profit Animals


Google Search Non Profit Education Children