Teach reading with storytelling: How to read aloud to kids so they love books

 To read aloud to kids, your own or others, is the single most rewarding adult and child activity. Storytelling may never be a recognized talent. There's no "read aloud" Olympic event--but there should be. Storytelling takes skill; there's a way to read to kids so they will listen. Here's how to read to kids so they learn to love books and beg for more! You can even use these storytelling techniques to teach reading and build good reading habits.  Teach reading with storytelling: How to read aloud to kids so they love books | Examiner.com

Free printable Brown Bear Brown Bear activities for Children's Book Week

"Brown Bear, Brown Bear, what do you see?" Thus begins a charming, eponymous children's literature classic by author Bill Martin. Via illustrator Eric Carle's pictures, preschoolers learn about colors, animals. patterns, math and also friendship. Here are free printable games, coloring pages, crafts, worksheets and learning activities from the children's literature classic, along with the companion Martin/Carle book "Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear?" Use these activities to celebrate Children's Book Week 2015--May 4-10.  Free printable Brown Bear Brown Bear activities for Children's Book Week | Examiner.com

Multicultural teen fiction: Middle school books, literature around the world | Examiner.com

Homeschool parents and middle school teachers, want to take a free world tour? March is National Reading Month, so why not read around the world of middle school books. Here is a list of multicultural teen fiction and children's literature around the world, from 20 countries and seven continents. These stories best reflect the flavor of each culture--its people, traditions, religion, region, customs, celebrations and values. These children's literature around the world books include teen fiction, historical fiction, poetry, fairy tales, folklore and mythology. Teachers, be sure to note on a map, the places you visit in this literature unit. Multicultural middle school books are coded for age and grade appropriate level--

Multicultural teen fiction: Middle school books, literature around the world | Examiner.com

Free printable Alice in Wonderland Through the Looking Glass Disney crafts

 In 2010, director Tim Burton created his vision of Disney "Alice in Wonderland" and on Memorial Day, 2016 Tim Burton gives audiences Alice in Wonderland 2 "Through the Looking Glass"--oh frabjuous day! If you can't wait for curiouser and curiouser delights with Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter, Anne Hathoway as the White Queen and Helena Bonham-Carter as the Red Queen, then hold onto your Mad Hatter! Sasha Baron Cohen, Timothy Spall, Rhys Ifans, Andrew Scott (Sherlock) join the Through the Looking Glass cast and Matt Lucas returns as the dynamic duo Tweedledum and Tweedledee. Happily Tim Burton use Alan Rickman (may he rest in peace) as the Blue Caterpillar again in Through the Looking Glass.  Free printable Alice in Wonderland Through the Looking Glass Disney crafts | Examiner.com

Free printable Coraline coloring pages: Neil Gaiman Coraline book activities | Examiner.com

The Neil Gaiman novel "Coraline" may be technically children's literature, but it hits the sweet spot for older readers who love dark, outre fiction. The Tim Burton movie version of Coraline perfectly animates this cartoon horror story. Here are free printable Coraline coloring pages. Some characters in the movie Coraline do not have counterparts in the Coraline book. The enigmatic child Wydie is not part of the original Neil Gaiman story. But Wydie fits perfectly and helps give a clearer perspective on the Other Mother and her sewing supplies of terror.  Free printable Coraline coloring pages: Neil Gaiman Coraline book activities | Examiner.com

Free printable Catholic St. Valentine lesson plans, Valentine's Day worksheets

 The story of St. Valentine has nothing to do with flowers and candy or Valentine's Day as we celebrate it on Feb. 14. Except in one way (we'll get to that). It has nothing in common with romance as we know it. But Valentine's story is spiritually romantic. Valentinius was a Roman Christian priest. In those days, this was not popular. In fact, it was downright illegal.  Free printable Catholic St. Valentine lesson plans, Valentine's Day worksheets | Examiner.com

Black History Month movies: African Americans in Jim Crow segregation

 The U.S. Census Bureau put out a list of statistics on African Americans for Black History Month in February reported PR Newswire Jan. 21. Stats are helpful understanding history. But they don't tell the whole story. We need literature and films to guide. Here are book-based movies for Black History Month. This list covers early 20th century black America was ruled by Jim Crow. Slavery might have been outlawed but discrimination and persecution flourished, even in the "free, enlightened" north.  Black History Month movies: African Americans in Jim Crow segregation | Examiner.com