Phonics is a method of reading instruction that utilizes the alphabetic principle. This principle claims that there is a predictable relationship between phonemes and graphemes which can help decode words.

Phonemes - the sounds in spoken language

Graphemes - the letters that represent the sounds in written language

To learn more read the Basics of Phonics intruction. There are many websites devoted to making Phonics instruction more enjoyable for children. The following websites offer games and online activities for your emerging reader:

Between the Lions: Blending Bowl

BBC Kids: Words and Pictures

Learning Planet

Offers games and activities for various age groups including Preschool-Kindergarten, 1st-3rd, and 4th-6th.                                                                                                                     photo courtesy of flickr user john-morgan

Sight Words is a reading instruction method in which the reader can recognize common words by sight and not by sounding them out.

Normal 0 0 1 177 1011 8 2 1241 11.1287 0 0 0 Edward Dolch was instrumental in popularizing this method and was responsible for creating the Dolch Word List.

In the 1990s, Edward Fry compiled a list of 600 words that were the most frequently used in reading and writing. You can also view Fry's High Frequency Words online as well.

There are many online resources available for parents to help aid their children in learning sight words. Here are a few links for at home practice and fun!

The School Bell

Dolch Word Search Puzzles

TVO Kids - Melvin's Marvellous Words 

Language Immersion may also be referred to as the Language Experience Approach or Whole Language Approach to reading instruction.It is a philosophy of teaching and learning that has literacy at its core. This idea seeks to intergrate reading, writing, and speaking into all aspects of learning.

Reading aloud, writing projects, storytelling, critical thinking and discussion are all components of this methodology.

If you are curious about the history of the Language Immersion Philosophy, visit http://www.immersionliteracy.com.There is also a section that compares the similarities and differences between a typical classroom setting and an immersion literacy classroom.

To access activities, lesson plans, and information that focuses on Language Immersion, visit Literacy Matters.

There are also additional websites that can help you engage your child in a variety of literacy-focused activities:

Bank Street: Developing a Language Experience Story

Library of Congress: Primary Source Sets

The Story of Movies: Lesson plans for incorporating visual literacy into cross-curricular studies.

Education World: Discussion Webs in the Classroom

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Content Literacy focuses on reading to learn, not just learning to read

Non-fiction texts and reading materials such as newspapers, magazines, letters, and websites are utilized in this reading instruction method. The content literacy approach brings literacy into other subject areas such as science, math, and social studies to allow children an opportunity to focus on their own particular areas of interest.

To learn more about Content Literacy visit the Content Literacy Information Consortium.

Some resources for strategies and activities include:

Literacy Matters

An excellent website for fully understanding the theory of Content Literacy. The site contains lesson plans and additional resources for educators, parents, and students.

Story Maps

Teach kids how to map out and analyze components of a narrative.  

As a parent, do you:

• Worry that you are not doing enough?
• Struggle with embarrassing issues?
• Seek ways to reduce power struggles?
• Want to do everything you can to be
 an effective and competent parent?

Parents of boys and girls in 3rd and 4th grades are invited to join this 10-week Parent Discussion Group held in the Darien Library Conference Room. Using the Raising Our Sons and Raising Our Daughters Parenting Guides you will meet weekly with parents of children of the same age and gender to help prepare you and your children for the tween and teen years.

Thursday mornings, 9:30AM - 11AM   April 1 - June 10, 2010

This program is in support of Thriving Youth: Connected Communities, an initiative of the Human Services Planning Council. Thriving Youth: Connected Community is a movement in Darien to address the needs of our young people which were brought to light in the Fall when the Search Institute conducted the 40 Developmental Assets survey in our Middle and High Schools. If you missed the results when they were announced you can still view the presentation as a pdf here.

To see the list of Developmental Assets that will be discussed in this series, click here.

Space is limited - to register for this program, sign up by calling (203) 669-5235 or email childrenslibrary@darienlibrary.org

If you like smart, funny, slightly quirky, and wholey original books, Daniel Pinkwater is a must-read author.  The comical genius behind The Hoboken Chicken Emergency has a brand-new book, Adventures of a Cat-Whiskered Girl, coming out on June 7th, 2010.  But you don't have to wait that long!  Mr. Pinkwater has made the chapters available to read on his website.  Check it out- and leave him your comments!

21 Things FAQ        

How does this online learning program work?

This is a self-directed learning program that encourages parents to take control of their own learning through exploration and play. There are no classes or workshops for this program, though Children’s Librarians are supporting the program as mentors. We encourage you to work together and share your discoveries, techniques, and “how-tos” with other participants

How long do I have to complete the program?
The program kicks off February 6^th, 2010 and officially wraps up Saturday, May 1^st with a finale party in the Children’s Library, where prizes will be awarded to registered participants who complete the program.

How do I track my progress for the 21 Things?

Each parent who chooses to participate will be required to keep a blog to track their progress, thoughts and impressions. Those blogs will serve as a record and repository for the program.

Can I work ahead through the list of items on my own?

Yes, of course! You are encouraged to work on the Things at your own pace, which might mean faster or slower than the set weekly lessons. If all 21 Things have been recorded as completed by the end of the program (May 1^st, 2010), you are eligible to win the prizes.

Can I participate anonymously?

Since you can control all the information that you share on your blog, you can choose to use a screen name that does not reveal your identity to the public, but Darien Library’s Children’s Librarians will know your identity to provide mentoring and track your participation.

What are the prizes?

All registered participants who complete the program will receive a Darien Library USB flash drive. The Grand Prize winner will receive a Flip video camera.

Content and style for 21 Things for 21^st Century Parents have been borrowed and duplicated with permission, under a Creative Commons License from the Learning 2.0-23 Things, a discovery learning program created by Helene Blowers for the Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenberg County.

Each year a committee of the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) identifies the best of the best in children's books.   Being considered a "notable" book means that it is important, distinguished, or outstanding.   They are books that are of especially commendable quality, exhibit venturesome creativity, and reflect and encourage children's interests in exemplary ways.

The Notables list also includes the 2010 Newbery, Caldecott,  Belpré, Sibert, Geisel, and Batchelder Award and Honor books.

Here are the 2010 Notable books for Older Readers (generally, children between the ages of 10 and 14):

If you are looking for some seriously funny, highly imaginative books to read with your preschool or kindergartener, check out these two brand new picks:

  Here Comes the Big, Mean Dust Bunny! by Jan Thomas

  The long-awaited sequel to the runaway hit, The Rhyming Dust Bunnies, is finally here!  Play a silly rhyming game with    Ed, Ned, Ted (and Bob). 

   My Elephant by Petr Horacek

   When grandpa and grandma are too busy to play, a little boy and his mischevious elephant wind up making a bit of a mess.  The wonderful child-centric viewpoint and collage-style artwork make this intergenerational tale a nice read-aloud. 

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Have you read Where the Mountain Meets the Moon yet?  Pick up a copy in the Children's Library!

image courtesy of Flickr user Flickerized.

curl up with a good book!

Click on the picture to discover our Booklists for Kids.

Have a great idea for a booklist?  We want to hear about it!  Send us an email at crstaff@darienlibrary.org.

And HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Looking for a good read?  Here are some great new books that just arrived in the Children's Library:

Powerless by Matthew Cody

This is the story of Daniel, a regular 12-year-old boy whose new friends have superpowers.  That is, until they turn 13 and their powers mysteriously begin disappearing. 

Check out the video below to hear the author, Matthew Cody, answer questions about Powerless.

The Runaway Dragon by Kate Coombs

The long-awaited sequel to the high-octane adventure, The Runaway Princess.

Check out the video book trailer of The Runaway Dragon below: