Nudge a Noodle!: Inspire your child to love learning!

Bookstore Date

I went to the bookstore last night with my 6-year-old daughter and we had so much fun (despite the disgusting sandwiches at the store cafe) that the only thing stopping me from taking her there again tonight is my lack of control over how many books I buy! We went there to buy ONE book for her--a big girl book. She's an excellent reader and while she's reading on a fifth/sixth grade level, the content of books on that level can be a problem. Adding to that, she has decided she wants to read an adult fiction book! (If anyone knows any adult fiction they can think of that doesn't delve into "adult situations" please let me know!)

Anyway, we explored the nature and animals section--and left that section with a book about pugs. She's into pugs lately and has two Webkinz pugs named "Macaroni" and "Cheese." So, she's going to read all about caring for them (with the fore-knowledge that she won't be getting a real one any time soon!)

We explored the science section and Mandy asked a bunch of questions regarding the titles she saw. While I wasn't qualified to explain the theory of relativity to myself, let alone Mandy, we did talk about Einstein, Stephen Hawkins, what physics is, and what kinds of scientists there are in the world.

Ultimately, between the children's department, the bargain department and the nature department, we left with about 10 books. Really, I'm not a shopaholic...just in bookstores. The funniest part for Mandy was when I told her she had to drag me toward the cash register and not let me stop along the way. That's usually my job!

For her big girl fiction book, she chose Little Fur Book One by Isobelle Carmody. She is really digging into it! You might want to check it out for your daughter!

My son was less thrilled when I came home with a spelling workbook for him. My defense? You can't go into the 4th grade spelling "would" as "wold" and "went" as "whent." By the way, this morning, I came across a website from an english teacher that has free worksheets and tips for helping your kids with spelling. I haven't tried it yet, but I plan on it. Check this out:

http://www.spelling.hemscott.net/

Probably not the best way to inspire my son to love spelling, but everybody has difficulties for which they sometimes just need to buckle down and work harder!

WORLD EXPLORATION

I am sooo excited! Can't wait for the kids to wake up tomorrow, because I want to share My Wonderful World.org with them! This site provides an opportunity to explore countries and continents virtually via amazing links.

Sure, I'd rather actually take the kiddies to some of these places. However, with the price of gas these days, I'm not itching to drive to the beach, let alone travel the U.S. by car, or pay for plane fuel via current airline ticket prices! I've become so shell-shocked over gas prices that hit over $4.00 a gallon, that I've taken to only filling the tank half-way. Yeah, I know I'm spending the same over the long haul. But, paying around $30 per gas station visit actually saves me money by preventing me from driving out of there in a catatonic state resulting in hundreds or thousands of dollars in body work.

Anyway, kids of all ages can find maps, games, virtual experiences, and world news at http://www.mywonderfulworld.org.  Plus, one of the links there(http://www.nationalgeographic.com/onestop/) will take you to National Geographic's phenomenal One-Stop Research site. Take note of this link to help your student find report resources, or just share it with them for exploring their favorite topics.

The Write Stuff

You know that expression about not being able to write one's way out of a paper bag? I don't want it to apply to my children. But, who does? Every school will tell you it's important to keep kids writing over the summer, but depending on your children, that might be easier said than done.

Writing, at least for my kids, seems to be something they'll do happily enough if they have something they really want to say about a topic or story idea that floats their boats. Boring assignments, however, sink boats, turn you into a nagger, and just make everyone miserable. Fortunately, there are resources we can all turn to when the best topics we can give our kids is, "What I Did on My Summer Vacation," and "Why I Love Having a Sister."

To encourage your passionate writer, or get your reluctant writer to write something...anything this summer, try steering the kiddies to the following resources:

http://www.kidsonthenet.org.uk/   This site gives kids plenty of tips on writing, a place to share their work and read the work of others.

http://www.brucevanpatter.com/  Bruce Van Patter has a way with words, drawing, and kids! The author and artist visits schools with fun programs that get kids to use their imagination. He appeared at my kids' school this past year and they came home talking about it more than any other school program. Van Patter's site has amazing activities and jumping off points for creating stories and teasing the imagination.

Unjournaling: Daily Writing Exercises that are NOT personal, NOT Introspective, and NOT Boring (by Dawn DiPrince and Cheryl Miller Thurston) has truly wild writing opportunities that will tickle kids rather than make them roll their eyes. (See link below)

One of my kids is a really enthusiastic writer. Trouble is, her handwriting makes it impossible to read her prolific fiction. Tomorrow morning, she's getting treated to Handwriting for Kids (http://www.handwritingforkids.com/) where I can actually custom-design handwriting worksheets with any words I want and print them. My idea is to get her interested by using fun, familiar words like her dolls' names, family members' names and wacky sentences.