I’ve put together some book recommendations for children and teaching books for parents and teachers, at Memory Joggers Amazon Store.  I have 6 different categories;
Writing Books for Kids
Math Books for Primary Grades
Creativity Books for Kids
Reluctant Readers
Learning Challenges
Geography, History, Social Studies

These are all books I’ve used in my teaching or recommended to me by educators.  I’ve written a review on several of them in my section called Book Reviews. I hope you’ll check out the Creativity Books for Kids. I recently read an interesting article in Parenting Magazine called, “Why Art Makes Kids Smarter.”

I’ve been concerned for a long time about the cut back of art programs in the public schools. Art, music, drama all provide access to right brain creating and learning and we need this balance of logic (left brain) and creativity (right brain).  They go hand in hand.  How can students learn about Navajo Indians without working with clay to create a pot?  Drawing a mural of the covered wagon migration of settlers across the U.S. gives us a mental picture for remembering what occurred.  Seeing how watercolor can blend and create beauty opens parts of the brain that promotes appreciation.

A friend of mine was helping me pack some boxes. He looked at the material and the box and measured carefully, using all of his left-brain capabilities.  He said only 4 items could possibly fit.  I looked at it using a right brain perspective, and realized if the material was placed in the box sideways (not the normal direction), we could get in 6 items.

My point is, that the creativity and looking at things from a different perspective is a learned skill. It is right brain thinking. This skill is nurtured when we open students’ minds to creative thinking and exploration.

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Writing can be daunting.  So much to remember -  spelling, punctuation, paragraphs, opening sentence, closing sentence and all that stuff in between!  Our reluctant writers want no part of it, unless it’s short – very short.  This is why journal writing is so effective.  Kids can get away with a couple of sentences and it doesn’t have to be perfect.  I know what you are thinking; “If it is sloppy writing with misspelled words, why do it?”    The answer is simple – “expression of thoughts.”   By allowing children to express their thoughts gives clarity to their thinking.  I love this quotation from Anne Morrow Lindbergh, “Writing is thinking. It is more than living, for it is being conscious of living.”

Recently I was interviewed for an article on how to help children become journal writers. My main points were:

1. Begin with drawings. After discussing the picture with your child, suggest words they can add that express emotion, like “ouch” or “happy”.  This gives your child the idea that words convey feelings too.

2. Use writing prompts to stimulate ideas.  “Be true to your work, your word, and your friend.” (Abraham Lincoln)  “Being true” means doing what is right. What would you do if you saw a friend cheating? Report it, talk to the friend, or do nothing? By writing about a problem,  your child defines their own reaction.

3. Always ask if your child wants to share their journal writing. Privacy is important.  If you write about the same prompt in your own journal and share, it encourages discussion.

4. This is your time to be completely focused on your child and what they think. Enjoy and have fun!

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Learning the meanings of new vocabulary words often stress kids out!  Make it easy on them.  Try making an association or rhyme and drawing a little picture to illustrate the meaning of unfamiliar vocabulary words. Kinesthetic learners need to act out the words in order to remember.  Not sure which learning style they are?  Take a look here.

Vocabulary word: elegant

There once was an elephant named Ms. Gant

Who liked to wear elegant pants

She was graceful and refined

Looking glamorous when she dined

And everyone knew her as Ele Gant.

Visual learners need to draw a picture of an elegant elephant. Audio learners will want to repeat the rhyme over and over. Kinesthetic learners act out the word in their most elegant manner. I guarantee, students will never forget the meaning of this word.

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