News from the Curriculum Resource Center

As a kid in the late 60′s and early 70′s  I remember the public service announcements from Reading is Fundamental, or RIF.  They were always about the importance of reading and trying to get books into the hands of children.  I recently saw a brand new PSA from RIF and was delighted to see they are still going strong.  The video stars scads of story rock stars, and you’ll be pleased at how many you recognize.  Enjoy, Kathy

Book People Unite 

Want to get some great summer reading in before we hear the annual ‘back to school” refrain from all corners of the media?  Here is a list of titles that are getting Newbery buzz that I’d like to read before the busy season comes crashing in.

Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein.  Everytime I swear off WWII stories another one comes along and changes my mind.   Hopefully this will soon be on our shelf.

Starry River of the Sky by Grace Lin.  I’ll go ahead and put anything Grace Lin writes on my “must read” list.

… Continue Reading

We’re playing in the snow this summer at the CRC.  Stop by and check out our bowl full of Insta-Snow by Spangler Science.  It starts as a powder and erupts into fluffy white faux snow when water is added.  It’s cool science during a hot summer.

   Do covers count? You bet they do.  If they didn’t publishers wouldn’t create so many awesome ones.  In this post I’m highlighting some of the upcoming YA books I want to read based only on the cover.  Here is my Romance and Fantasy pick for the summer.

Girl Meets Boy featuring stories by a bunch of YA authors including Chris Crutcher and Rita Garcia-Williams.  I’m ready for some tree climbing!  Adorbs! See the trailer http://youtu.be/FLF0Su9PNMM

 Seraphina by Rachel Hartman

Sepia tone etching … Continue Reading

  The June issue of VOYA (Voice of Youth Advocates) suggests two money related websites:

The Mint’s “Tips for Teens,” http://www.themint.org/teens/

   A “millionaire calculator” and the “Power of 72 calculator” will give you solid figures on just how much money you need to save to be rich and how long it takes your money to double.

It All Adds Up http://www.italladdsup.org/

    Find out how credit cards work, how to buy your first car, and what budgeting really means as you play interactive games that test your knowledge.  Who knew getting financial smarts … Continue Reading

     I can’t emphasize enough how awesome the Ohio Resource Center website is for teachers of preschool -12.  It is packed full of great lessons, ideas, and research.  Today I suggest checking out their feature ORC On.  It presents downloadable papers on timely topics that are grade leveled and full of helpful advice, activities and links.  This is one link that ALL Ohio teachers should bookmark and sign up for their monthly newsletter.  Two new topics recently added are Summer Mathematics and Summer Reading.  

Stay cool and get excited for school!

Kathy

  The Olympics are coming soon to a television near you.  In the meantime the CRC has children’s books about the Olympics.  Gold Medal for Weird by Kevin Sylvester features short one page stories about unusual and wierd goings-on at the Olympics. 

   One story is about Eric Moussambani Malonga from Equatorial Guinea who competed in the 100-meter freestyle swim at the 2000 Sydney Games.  He’d taken up swimming only a few months before the Olympics and during the race he flailed and splashed around nearly causing the lifeguards to jump in and save … Continue Reading