Product Description
Super Word Sorts, Manipulatives, Games, and Hands-on Reproducibles That Reinforce 100 Sight Words and 60 Word Families
Builds reading fluency!
Help kids strengthen reading and spelling skills easily and instantly! With these hands-on games and activities, kids build words using letter cards, cubes, spinners, and more. Once they learn the 100 sight words and 60 word families in this book, they'll be able to read and spell hundreds more! Reinforces long and short vowels, capital and lowercase letters, beginning consonants, rhyming words, blends and more. Perfect for learning centers! ... Read more

Product Description
These books replace Totline's 101 Tips Series. Combines our award-winning series into one convenient resource book! 8 1/2" x 11". Inspiring tips help teachers rediscover the joy of working with toddlers.Topics include classroom management skills; active sensory learning and discovery play; creating a positive environment where language development flourishes through word play; small and large motor skills; and flexing imaginations using dramatic play. ... Read more

Product Description
Encourage and reward students with colorful printed bookmarks. Back is left blank for a personal message. Three designs per pack, 72 bookmarks of each design. 2 x 6-1/2. 216 bookmarks per pack. ... Read more

Product Description
The special sky blue sash that a young slave girl offers to give her older sister for her wedding dress becomes a tie that binds the family together when the sister moves away. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Gorgeous Illustrations
The illustrations are the star of this book. Andrews' work can be found in the Metropolitan, MOMA, and the Hirschorn, among other museums, so it's easy to see how the art can upstage anything else. Half painting, half collage, the artwork is impressive and beautiful. The figures are stiff as dolls in psychedelic landscapes.

The text, however, tells a bittersweet story of a mother and two daughters, slaves in an inhospitable environment. Sissy, the older daughter, is getting married and would like to have an `all-over' wedding dress, that is, a dress made of one piece of cloth. Her dream is unlikely to come true, because slaves don't have access to such materials. Her best hope is for her mother to stitch together bits and pieces of rags to make a dress.

The story is told from the little sister's perspective in long, rhyming passages. Though the story is dramatic and there is plenty to work with, it left me a bit cold. I felt the text was too long and it strained under the burden of having to rhyme.

a sad happy time
This is a very touching story... I agree with the previous reviewer, we just got it out of the library for the cover and didn't expect it to be about slavery.But I'm glad I got it.Even though I'm not sharing it with my daughter now, this will definitely be a book for when she gets older.Sissy's husband-to-be, a free man, walks from far away to their wedding but Sissy's owner refuses to give them a preacher or to do anything to validate the couple.Undeterred, Ma'am (her mother) gathers every scrap of white fabric she can find and stitches together an all-over dress of white and conducts the ceremony herself."She decides she'll be the one/To pray them, sing and bless/For she's miracl'd something already/and out of next-to-nothing/Stitched a wedding dress." They have to take the dress back apart after the ceremony and return all the cloth:"In the kitchen, jelly net spilled through fingers/ I'm the wedding dress, I'm the wedding dress."When John Bee comes back with enough money to buy Sissy's freedom, her mother and sister have to stay but they know that he will return when he has saved up enough money and one day they all can be together.

This is a wonderful story, celebrating the strength of family, determination in the face of adversity, and finding joy where you can.I think it should be a part of every elementary school library and read often, not just in February.

A pleasant surprise
My 2 1/2 year old daughter picked this book, almost randomly, from the library shelf.I think she was attracted to the beautiful picture on the front cover.I tried to talk her out of it because the book is obviously advanced for her, but we took it home anyway.She asked for the book several times and listened to the entire story both times (high praise from a toddler).The words were beautifully written.The rhythm is slow and soothing.

I still think the book is a little mature for a toddler, but I intend to buy it and read it to her again when she's older.I love that the story of slavery is told from a child's view.I don't expect my daughter to ever understand what it would be like to be born into slavery, but this book makes this very important subject more attainable to a small child.

A also like that this is a universal story about a mother's unlimited love for her children. ... Read more

Product Description
From "An Appetizing Apple" to "Zucchini andZippy Dip," here's the ultimate resource book for teaching letter names and sounds to pre-kindergarten through first grade students. It's brimming with fun lessons, activities, and projects that help young students learn the alphabet more quickly and easily. Includes templates and instructions for 27 student-made books, plus 90 fun activities involving art, games, and cooking.

Each letter begins with teaching ideas for introducing it and/or its sound. Then for each letter of the alphabet you will find:

* a full-page picture card with capital and lower case letter
* a bibliography of suggested literature references about objects beginning with that letter
* a simple recipe for a food beginning with that letter; for example, applesauce, rice & raisin
pudding, very vegetable soup
* a step-by-step drawing lesson of an object beginning with that sound; for example, kite, octopus, wagon
* a trace and write reproducible
* an art lesson (patterns provided as needed)
* a reproducible cut-and-paste activity for additional practice with the letter
* a reproducible "little book" containing a four page story to share with students

Additional resources include: a reproducible mini-alphabet book, an animal for each letter of the alphabet, reproducible letter and picture cards, upper and lower case letters and seven picture card for each letter, directions for four games to practice letter names and sounds, and directions for setting up five centers.

Generously illustrated with cute, instructive line art, suitable for students to color. Includes reproducible "I Know the Alphabet" student award template. All 304 pages perforated for easy removal.

Need additional reading and language arts teaching ideas? Consider these other quality Evan-Moor titles: Getting Ready to Read (EMC 389) for students needing practice with motor, visual, and listening skills and Phonics Fundamentals, Vol. 1 (EMC 290)for students ready to move from letter names and sounds to blending and short vowel words. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A good resource
This book has a good variety of alphabet activities.A two page spread at the beginning of the book describes a variety of activities to introduce any letter or sound. In addition, each letter has:

* a full page picture of an animal and model of the capital and small version of the letter suitable for hanging on the wall
* letter and picture cards for the letter (located in the back of the book)
* a suggestion for a sorting activity
* a bibliography of alphabet books and other books that feature the letter (i.e. for P- pigs and popcorn, for J- jets and jellyfish)
* a recipe or snack
* a simple drawing exercise and oral language experience
* two or three worksheets- usually one for tracing the letter, one in which you cut and paste pictures, and one additional activity
* a "Make It!" project in which templates are copied on construction paper and put together into something (a jet for J, a bear for B, etc.)
* a little book you copy and fold into fourths to read

The activities for each letter are themed around two different objects or animals (quail and quilts for Q, otter and octopus for O) and the pages for a little ABC book (A is for ant, etc.) is in the back of the book. The strength of this curriculum is the variety of activities included and this book would be the one to buy if you wish to work from a single resource. ... Read more

Product Description
Each of 36 weekly themes is accompanied by a list of materials, patterns, activities, and more. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Excellent Resource for Beginners!
This book offers the early educator a premade, ready to go lesson plan, week by week.A must for teachers just starting out in early education.Theme topics cover songs, books, food experiences, and circle time activities.Many flannel board patterns to copy as well.Themes can be expanded on and modified to fit your classroom.Ideas can be used in toddler classrooms as well as pre-k.Only complaint is that it doesn't continue through the summer months.However, it does have a brief section for suggestions for summer.I definitely recommend!

The book provides weekly theme units for preschool.
The book provides weekly theme units for preschool.It covers a wide range of topics and provides useful ideas.It has a blank weekly planner that can be copied and used by the teacher in creating other theme units.It gives some basic recipes and describes how to make some basic childhood "tools" like file folder games.Buy it. ... Read more

Product Description
Classroom-tested ideas! Around-the-curriculum activities are organized into imaginative units. A great resource for implementing a child-directed program. Children learn best when all their senses are activated and involved. 8 1/2"x11".pages. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

recieved book
I had no problem with this book at all.I got it within day's.

This book is awesome.
I use this book all the time in my classroom.If I need a quick idea to do with the children, it is always right there!

GREAT, EASY and INEXSPENISIVE ideas!
I am thrilled to own both this book and Theme-a-saurus II. This book is in alphabetical order and includes themes such as pigs, magnifying glasses, frogs, monkeys,feathers,dirt, cardboard tubes, dogs, flowers, rainbows and much more! They include about nine activites ,songs, food ideas and crafts for each individual theme. It is hard to pick just one because I am so excited to do them all for the preschool class I teach. Don't think just buy this book. I honestly dont think you will be disapointed. The discriptions and pictures are EASY to follow and best of all you probably already have all the materials and it needs little prep time. I have looked at a lot of books on teaching themes and some are great but not for preping for a large group of children. They are unrealistic. These ideas are realistic and educational. ... Read more

Product Description
Each book in this three-book series includes dozens of interactive, theme-related songs and rhymes that help children listen to language and 'play with" sounds. Each song, sung to a familiar tune, is complemented by activity ideas, making it easy to add some phonemic-awareness fun to your lesson plans. Silly, playful songs paired with research-based phonemic-awareness activities a winning combination for any reading-development program. 96 pages each. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

My favorite!
Iuse these songs every year.My students love them, and learn a lot from them! ... Read more

Product Description
Engaging Reproducibles That Invite Young Learners To Draw & Then Write About Topics They LoveŠAll Year Round!
Motivate your reluctant writers every month of the year!
Motivate your students to write with fun-filled reproducibles for every month! Each reproducible pairs a drawing prompt with quick writing prompts on favorite topics: autumn harvest, animals, 100th day, holidays, weather, classroom community, and more. As a pre-writing warm-up, drawing pictures sparks kids¹ interest, helps them generate ideas and details for writing, and makes their subjects lively and real. A great way to encourage reluctant writers! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Nice Product
Was a nice book , but it is for grades K-2. That should be included in the product description.

Great ideas
Make sure you plan a little ahead, but worth it.Great stuff for students to get involved in.

great for beginning writers
I orginally purchased a copy of this book last yearand used it constantly.When it got lost over the summer I was really upset.Luckily I found it on Amazon and ordered it immediately!!I teach 2nd and 3rd graders many of whom speak english as a 2nd language.This book is great for helping them practice their writing skills.They love drawing a picture to go along with their sentences!!! ... Read more

Product Description
Theselittle books, written to go withGuided Reading Level A, are just right for beginning readers! The simple,stories on favorite topics such as birthdays, pets, friendships, and favorite foods include high-frequency words, rhyming, repetition, and ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

okay but not great
This workbook is okay but not great.I would not consider this a first reader like the title implies. Definately for someone who has mastered level aa. Another downside is the words are so tiny.I was hoping to use it for my4 year old who has started to read but I feel the print is too small and the sight words are not as repetitive as I hoped.It is geared toward k-1 but I have a kindergartener and a 1st grader and this book is way too easy for them as they are already fluent readers.This is not a first book to use when first introducing reading.This is for someone who is already comfortable with sight words and has some early reading skills.

My First Little Readers
Excellent resource!These make great send-home books for the students to keep.We mark in these, circling or underlining words, word endings, sight words, etc.They get to color them and make them their own. ... Read more

Product Description

Keeping Kids Busy - Fun Activities for Kids!
from www.ActivityVillagePublications.co.uk ....................................................3
Twenty Toys You Don’t Have to Buy
from http://www.AllThatWomenWant.com ......................................................8
Summertime Crafts for Kids
from http://www.CreativeHomemaking.com ..................................................12
Easy Treat Gifts for Kids to Give
from http://seedsofknowledge.com/treehouse.htm ..........16
What To Do When the Fridge Just
Won’t Hold Anymore!
from http://www.Note-Ables.com ......................................18 ... Read more

Product Description
This book contains over 230 reproducible activities for children ages 4 through 7. A wide variety of readiness skills are taught through tracing, coloring, cutting, and pasting activities.This book is a fabulous resource for both the busy teacher and the involved parent. ... Read more

Product Description
A gradual progression in activity formats helps build confidence and independence for early readers. The book is divided into six areas:· Following Directions (art projects use simple instructions and visual cues)· Sequencing Directions (order pictures and text to sequence steps for simple, familiar tasks) · Draw?Then Write (follow simple directions to create a picture, then write about)· Read, Think, Cut & Paste (use critical thinking and reading skills to sequence story events)· All About Me Children (activities that help develop self-concept)· Who? What? Where? When? (children focus on nouns, verbs, and prepositions in an age-appropriate approach) ... Read more

Product Description

Rhymes and poems for all reasons and seasons. Includes subject andfirst-line indexes.

Customer Reviews (5)

For professionals who work with pre-schoolers
As a children's librarian, who did 4-6 storytimes a week, this was one of my favorite resources for fingerplays; not because of the illustrations or charm, but because if I needed to find a rhyme about a zebra, I could look in the index and there was one (or maybe two) right there. The book was unavailable for awhile, and I was delighted to find it back in print. It is not for the average mom who wants to share rhymes with her children. There are lots better books out there for that situation; but if you need lots of rhymes about lots of subjects, this is the book you want.

quality of book depends on your purpose for reading it
I agree with the previous reviewer on this point:there are many unimaginative, even boring, rhymes in this book.There are numerous takes on "Five Little Monkeys..."(Five buzzing bumblebees, five little birds, etc.)That gets old!

HOWEVER, my three-year-old and one-year-old are pretty easy to impress.Even a "so-so" fingerplay can result in a fun time with them.

The biggest advantage of this book, for me, is the topical organization.I am using the rhymes to accompany themed activities.For example, we were talking about corn today; I looked up "foods" (listed in table of contents) and quickly found a rhyme.We used "Sweet Corn,"(which briefly talks about picking, cooking and eating corn) with props to pretend we were actually cooking corn.Though the rhyme isn't incredible, it was perfect to teach a concept.

The contents includes topics such as toys, snack time, Easter, snow, flowers, beach...about 70.

You might check this book out at the library first to help determine if it will fit your needs.You could find it a waste of money OR a real time-saver and lesson-enhancing reference.

Quantity Without Quality
I purchased this book hoping it would provide an extensive selection of traditional finger plays and rhymes to use with my children.

It did not.

While it did have many verses, they were uninspired and unimaginative.The majority lacked rhythm and were poorly rhymed, and there was no musical notation at all.Even the few traditional rhymes/plays were "adapted."It was not illustrated as expected--there were general illustrations in the book, but none demonstrating the hand movements or gestures!In fact, there were frequent notes with the rhymes to "make appropriate hand movements" or words to that effect!

Essentially this seems to be a compilation of 'rhymes' submitted to a daycare providers' newsletter by its subscribers.The book was divided into sections as follows:Myself, School, Community, Seasons, Animals, Plants & Foods, Weather, Earth & Sky, Holidays, Special Days, Special People.

This book was a huge disappointment and I returned it the day after receiving it.For the same amount of money one can purchase both of Joanna Cole's books and the Emilie Poulsson book.They may not boast 1,000 rhymes, but they offer all the quality and features that this collection does not.

Excellent resource for preschool teachers. A must have!
This book is a fantastic resource for preschool teachers.It has rhymes and fingerplays as well as pictures that can be used with almost any theme.The possibilities are endless.If you can afford only one book for yourpreschool class, this is the one to have.

An essential resource for children's librarians!
This book is just what I needed as a brand-new children's librarian!It contains songs and rhymes for all kinds of subjects under the sun.Best of all, it's very well indexed.Use it to plan storytimes, teach parents to play with kids, and develop theme teaching units.A fantastic resource! ... Read more

Product Description
Easy Lessons and Fresh Ideas for Creating Interactive Word Walls That Build Literacy Skills
Easily integrate word walls into your daily literacy activities! Sample lessons including photos of real classrooms, show you how to add to the walls each week, drawing words from poems, nursery rhymes, morning message and more to keep them fresh, invaluable reference tools for kids all year long. Develop kids' phonemic awareness with basic letter-sound correspondences with the ABC wall; spelling patterns with the Chunking Wall and many more. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Teaching Reading and Writing with Word Walls
I was very pleased with the condition of the book and the quick delivery rate!

Lots of Great Ideas
I wish I'd had this book when I started teaching - it has a ton of examples and ways to use word walls to teach reading.

Great, Practical Resource
If you are a novice at using a word wall or have had one in your classroom for some time, you will find this book to be a great, practical resource.It includes descriptions of many different kinds of word walls, not just the traditional wall with an alphabetical list of sight words. Also included are activities and lessons that you can use in conjunction with your word wall.

This Book Will Work!
I ordered this book unseen because her other book, Phonics That Work!, put a terrific glow on my teaching.

This one is just a good.Whether you are new to word walls, or if you've been using them for years you'llappreciate the fresh lessons and the sound theories Ms. Wagstaff provides. This is a book that will work in your classroom! ... Read more

Product Description
Children love celebrations. During the Preschool years, each month is cause for another fun filled festivity. We read books about holidays, construct art projects, and even play special games. Holiday fingerplays are a great way to reinforce newly learned traditions. they may also serve as the script for a classroom bulletin board or a group illustrated story. The fingerplays included in the book will allow teachers to ask their children a variety of questions that foster creativity and divergent thinking, thereby enhancing oral language skills. Props for those fingerplays can easily be acquired at party, discount, and department stores. A prop box for each holiday can be a valuable resource in your classroom. PERFECT FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATORS, CAREGIVERS AND PARENTS ALIKE! Children love celebrations. During the Preschool years, each month is cause for another fun filled festivity. We read books about holidays, construct art projects, and even play special games. Holiday fingerplays are a great way to reinforce newly learned traditions. they may also serve as the script for a classroom bulletin board or a group illustrated story. The fingerplays included in the book will allow teachers to ask their children a variety of questions that foster creativity and divergent thinking, thereby enhancing oral language skills. Props for those fingerplays can easily be acquired at party, discount, and department stores. A prop box for each holiday can be a valuable resource in your classroom. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Fabulous Fingerplays Fight Fidgets!
These books and tapes offer ideas for almost every pre-kindergarten experience. Rainy day? Kitson's got it covered. New food? She's got a rhyme. These fingerplays and rhymes are fun and educational.

Awesome Fingerplays
These seasonal fingerplays are great. My favorite two are about rabbits.When my children are playing with playdough I get out the rabbit cookie cutter and quote two of the fingerplays from this book.One is called Arabbit in the meadow on a sunny day and the other one is called I lookedacross the meadow and what did I see.There is also a spring fingerplayabout umbrellas and rain.I would like to send home a copy of thisfingerplay with a small cut out umbrella for each child.I feel that thishelps them to learn the fingerplay by heart.Another fingerplay from thisbook is called A cute little duck stepped out of the lake.I have astuffed duck that I show to the children when teaching this fingerplay. This is also a great book.Thank you! ... Read more

Product Description
Full-color, hands-on manipulatives give students meaningful, independent practice with sight words and phonics and decoding. Simple activities give students a positive introduction to the process of writing in response to what they have read. Student cards and reproducibles are ready-to-use. Teacher pages include step-by-step instructions to create literacy centers as well as ideas for presentation, tips, and extensions. ... Read more

Product Description
Ready-to-reproduce practice pages-written in a variety of genres, including articles, biographies, e-mail announcements, and how-to guides-help struggling readers build comprehension skills. Companion questions for each passage focus on skills such as inferencing, sequencing, predicting, understanding story elements, and more. All of the highly engaging passages are written at slightly below grade level. ... Read more

Product Description
Wow! Full-color, ready-to-use art PLUS activities that are based on the latest research on literacy. Just cut out the pieces needed to create great-looking learning centers or fun-filled games. Follow the step-by-step directions, and watch the learning take place! 176 full-color pages. ... Read more