AUTHOR LILLIAN CAULDWELL

WELCOME AUTHOR LILLIAN CAULDWELL

This week I'm hosting an extremely talented and interesting author. Lillian Cauldwell is an author of many articles, short stories and poems. She has a published novel, Sacred Honor, a science fiction/historical novel, and will soon release The Anna Mae Mysteries, the first in a series of books for young people. She also has POETRY: Urban Voices under consideration with a publisher.

Lillian was formerly an instructor at Long Story Short School of Writing teaching several courses: Interviewing, Pre-Marketing Plan for Books, Internet Talk Radio, and Podcasting as well as a consultant for authors who require help marketing and promoting their book(s) and selves. She mentors teenagers interested in writing their first novels.

After working for two years as an Internet talk radio host at two different radio stations, Lillian started her own station, Passionate Internet Voices Talk Radio, Inc. The Company is two and a half years old and is ranked as a mid-list Internet talk radio station.

Lillian is a board member for ICWP and a member of CBWI, The Writer's Union, and Women in Media.

She enjoys her status of grandmother to identical twin granddaughters, her son, a graphic artist nominated for The Eisner Award two years ago for his original comic book, The Dare Detectives. Lillian lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan where she loves to bake, lift weights, walk, and do worldwide community work. She is an avid advocate of the US Military and her support has been acknowledged by President George W. Bush.

LILLIAN TELLS US ABOUT HER NEW BOOK: ANNA MAE MYSTERIES

"The Anna Mae Mysteries: The Golden Treasure" is about three 'tween sneaker-toed sleuths who find Jefferson Davis' lost gold with help from a disembodied Black fist and divining rods. I got the idea when I started asking teachers and librarians for 'tweens and teenagers what this age group needed to read about. History was the first answer I received. The second most popular answer was a book that makes kids think. After thinking about those answers, I knew I needed to write a book that was entertaining, provacative, mysterious, and full of common sense thinking that all kids need to learn and use throughout their life.

PART OF CHAPTER ONE

Thunder rumbled in the distance. Heat lightening crackled. I wanted to jump up
into the air, but my feet refused to move. Raul Garcia, my best friend from sixth grade, dragged me forward into the schoolyard. My eight-year-old brother Malcolm trudged beside me. None of us wanted school to start yet. I noticed that Raul's normal smile drooped a bit too.

"It won't be so bad this year," Raul said. "I won't let Pit Bull hurt you. You'll see.
I'm stronger and bigger."

"Yeah, right," I said.

I peered down at my new pink sneakers with red shoelaces. Dust and dirt clung to the white rubber edges. I loitered in the yard, wishing school was over and we were on our way home. A thin, whistling wind blew across my cheeks, cooling them from the last oppressive heat of summer.

"Anna Mae, look out!"

WEBSITES

Two websites are available for listeners: http://lilliancauldwell.homestead.com/radioshow.html
and http://www.authorsden.com/lilliancauldwell.
The Anna Mae Mysteries: The Golden Treasure is already posted on http://www.amazon.com.
Additional bookstores should be carrying it within the next two weeks, or they can buy directly from Star Publish LLC at http://www.starpublishllc.com.

Come back later this week to find out more about this author and her exciting new book entitled, "The Anna Mae Mysteries: The Golden Treasure."

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Learn about the Tiger Beetle!

*************************Make a Tiger Beetle!

1. Paint one section of a paper egg carton.
2. Poke three holes on each side of the body.
3. Place three pipe cleaners through the holes to make legs.
4. Glue beans, buttons, or small rocks on for eyes.
5. Glue yarn or a small twig for a mouth.

Imagine yourself relaxing in the glistening hot sun on a beach in South Africa, when suddenly you feel the painful pinch of an insect bite. Looking down you see a ferocious, 2 inch metallic bronze beetle with bulging eyes, a hairy face, long skinny legs, and a huge protruding hook-like jaw. You have just been introduced to the tiger beetle. But don’t step on it, because it is on the endangered species list in many places.

FEEDING
The tiger beetle got its name due to the brutal way it catches and consumes its prey. He is a fluid feeder, who uses pre-oral digestion. When he clutches and crushes an insect in its powerful mandibles, digestive juices are secreted onto the prey. While squeezing, he sucks in the partially digested meal. He has excellent eyesight and is a fast and agile flyer. He sometimes catches his victim in mid air. He has been recorded running at 2 feet per second. The caterpillar-like larva, just as fierce, lays in wait near the entrance of its burrow and snatches helpless insects dragging them to the bottom for consumption.

MATING
The male approaches the female in a series of sprints, then jumps on her back and clasps her thorax with his mighty mandibles. He’s the jealous type and may guard his female for up to 12 hours after copulation to stop other males from mating with her. Females lay their eggs in small holes in the dirt. During metamorphosis the egg changes into a worm-like larva, which constructs a vertical tube several feet deep. The larva consumes any insect that crosses its path for up to 2 years. After moving through the pupa stage, the adult beetle emerges in summer.

PHYSICAL VARIATIONS
The 2,000 species of tiger beetles (Cinindelidae) come in almost any color ranging from the bright red daytime active bugs to the jet-black nocturnal creatures. Many of them sport an iridescent or metallic body with armor-like wings. The “plain Jane” species looks eerily like a common beetle with a grayish brown body and white spots on its wings.

HABITAT
A tiger beetle’s lifestyle is regulated by temperature, humidity, light intensity, and wind. They remain inactive on cool cloudy days. They prefer hot sunny days on the sandy shores of a tropical ocean, or wooded rivers and streams. In fact, they live just about everywhere in the world except on some remote islands, Antarctica and Tasmania.

ENEMIES AND DEFENCES
The Tiger Beetle has many enemies. Beetles are a main staple in the diet of many species of birds. Larger insects like dragonflies often munch on the crunchy beetle. Amphibians and reptiles have also been known to feed on these beetles. Surprisingly, even mammals like badger, fox, moles, mice, opossum, raccoon, skunk, and squirrel consider tiger beetles a tasty delicacy. Of course, humans too have developed insecticides to kill insects like the tiger beetle. So, how can a poor bug survive? When in pursuit, the beetle runs in a zigzag pattern, and gives off an unpleasant smell. Adult tiger beetles also exude a foul smelling, brownish liquid when captured, which has corrosive properties. They have been seen crawling into crevices to escape from danger.

Tiger beetles, which live on beaches, are under great pressure from development and recreation. Remember that the beach you are on may be some creature's living room--tread softly and treat it with respect.

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"Moving Through All Seven Days" by Kathy Ann Stemke

I'm very excited to announce that Action Alley Education is close to publishing, "Moving Through All Seven Days." This book inspires movement as children learn about the days of the week. The lyrical rhymes also teach them how to spell each day! The activities at the end of the book are designed to reinforce the concepts as well as give impetus to movement exploration.

The illustration above is from the new book. Tony Glisson is the talented illustrator who cleverly depicts the fun we have on Tuesday.

The following rhyme which takes you through one day is designed to encourage movement while children learn the concept of A.M., P.M., and time. It's entitled, "Move Through One Day."

6 A.M. I roll out of bed.

7 A.M. I am always fed.

8 A.M. I wash my own face.

9 A.M. I run in a race.

10 A.M. I go out to play.

11 A.M. I gallop away.

12 A.M. I make my own lunch.

1 P.M. I eat a whole bunch.

2 P.M. I clean with my Mom.

3 P.M. I run with friend, Tom.

4 P.M. I hit a home run.

5 P.M. I laugh and have fun.

6 P.M. I sit and I cook.

7 P.M. I read a good book.

8 P.M. I am fast asleep.

9 P.M. I dream really deep.

Set boundaries in your classroom, use the bubble principle, and let the children have fun acting out this perfect day. To prevent contact between children, tell each child that they are in a bubble. If anyone gets too close the bubble will burst.

You can also use this rhyme as a book or a class project. Have the children draw illustrations and a clock for each time. Put it on the bulletin board or bind it into a book.

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"WE'RE RIDING ON A CARAVAN" by Laurie Krebs

“We’re Riding on a Caravan” by Laurie Krebs is an exciting and informative adventure on the Silk Road. Children will be mesmerized by the colorful illustrations, which are truly works of art. They will experience the sights, sounds and smells of the exotic cities found along this historic trade route. Teachers will enjoy the map and rich endnotes of the history of silk and the cities along the route. This is a book that children will want to read over and over again!

Kathy Stemke
Author/Educator

This book is available through Barefoot Books. This company specializes in interactive, playful and beautiful books which combine the best of the past with the best of the present to educate children as the caretakers of tomorrow. Just click on the link on the right for a 10% discount.

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An Interview: the Characters in "Bubba and Giganto!"

I've been priviledged to host author Lea Schizas this week for the Virtual Book Tour. The last time we talked she promised to bring her characters in for an interview.

I'd like to introduce you to Bubba, a great kid who has had to adjust to several schools, try to keep out of trouble and make new friends.

1. Bubba, do you like your name and if not what would you change it to?

Bubba: My name has been an embarrassment all my life. Now seriously, what were my parents thinking? Every time my dad uproots us to a new place, I hate going to school cuz I know the stares, giggles, and ridicule are just around the corner. A normal name, like Bruce, Brendan, Bobby…anything would have been better. The only person who thought it was kinda neat was Giganto.

And this is your friend, Giganto, who liked your interesting name. Welcome To my blog Giganto.

2. Giganto, do you like Bubba and if so why?

Giganto: Bubba’s nice. Took time to practice soccer with me, unlike some other kids who took extra time to make sure I knew I was overweight. But, what can you say? There’s a balance of good and bad I guess. Just wish the bad were less.

3. Bubba, other than soccer what is your favorite pastime?

Bubba: Wow, soccer’s like my life but I guess, and this is thanks to Giganto, I love to read more. Never was much into books and studying until the big dude opened my eyes and helped me realize that without an effort on my part, I’d end up hashing burgers the rest of my life.

4. Giganto, what’s your least favorite pastime?

Giganto: Eating. I know that sounds odd because of my weight, but eating at my house was always a ‘big’ thing, you’d think we were Italians the way my mom added plate after plate of various dishes to each meal. Love mom but to be totally honest, she really didn’t help my situation any.

I'd also like to introduce Jason, a talented and popular boy at school. Welcome Jason.

5. Jason, why are you such a bully?

Jason: I never really thought of myself as a bully. I mean, hey, we’re teens, making fun is just part of growing up, no? Giganto was cool with it until Bubba came to school. Besides, I never hit or pushed David. Names, yeah, but never hit him. So if that’s bullying…what do you want me to say?

Well, thank you for your honesty. I know you all learned from each other. I hope you'll come back again and chat with me boys.

Lea, I know you're proud of these boys. Thanks for bringing them along. I have one final question for you.

6. Lea, what’s your most memorable time as a writer?

Lea: Creating characters that readers can relate to. Everyone has a dilemma, an emotion, a place they want to escape to so as a writer if I can give them this small escapade out of their own daily life’s routine then I know I’ve done my job.

I certainly loved meeting these boys and learning from their experiences. Thank you for coming. I know that kids of all ages will love this book. Many of them have found themselves on one side or other of this bullying issue. If you know someone struggling with this issue, this book will help them sort through their emotions and may even lead them to improve their actions or reactions.

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TOPIC SENTENCE ACTIVITIES!

GUESS THE TOPIC!

This is a great way to introduce the paragraph and topic sentence. Write a paragraph that doesn't have a topic sentence and have the child guess the topic.

Example: You write with them. Sometimes they have erasers on the end. You can get them in different colors. When they guess pencils, ask them if it would have been easier to start the paragraph with , "I love pencils?"

TOPIC SENTENCE MATCH UP!

Understanding the main idea of a paragragh can be tough for beginning readers. Here's an exercise you can do to help them see the forest through the trees.

Write each topic sentence on a separate index card.

Topic: Dogs are loyal animals.
Topic: I love the summer.
Topic: Chocolate isn't good for you.

Write each detail on a separate index card.

Detail: They are always waiting for their owners to come home.
Detail: They want to sit with you.
Detail: There are a lot of fun things to do, like swimming and eating hamburgers.
Detail: We go on vacation.
Detail: Everytime I eat it, I get a stomach ache.
Detail: It's not good for my teeth.

Mix them all up, turn them face up, and match up a topic with two details.

You can have your child make a book with illustrations using one topic and two details.

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Author Lea Schizas Part II

Hi Kathy, and thank you for hosting me this week. One of my inspirations to write Bubba and Giganto: Odds Against Us was my children. While in elementary school, they had encountered various forms of bullying:

Name calling
Shoving
Friends shunning them in fear of bullies
Personal property stolen or vandalized

We’re talking elementary students here, kindergarten to grade six. It’s appalling what you hear. Where does this stem from? Video games? Improper upbringing? Not knowing how to deal with frustration so they pick on other children?

This got me thinking how I can demonstrate and offer one solution to deal with bullying, so I incorporated soccer into the book. Girls and boys play the sport in Canada and it offers a teaching of team unity/sportsmanship. I now had my means for intervention to get frustration out but in a monitored setting.

Next obstacle: who would my characters be?

I didn’t want the usual good/bad guy personaes. Each had to have a purpose so without giving anything away, I’ll break down the who and whys for each:

Bubba: the first person POV throughout the book. Although Bubba is a tough guy and doesn’t stand for bullying, I gave him the name ‘Bubba’ to show that even kids who have self-esteem, can stand up for themselves, have their own things to deal with. In his case the embarrassment of being named Bubba.

David, aka Giganto: Giganto is a kind, loving, and giving student. Because of his weight and the fact he wants to join the school’s soccer team, he is ridiculed and called names. Because of his soft-spoken manner, many believe he’s mentally challenged in some ways. In fact, Giganto is in the Mensa elite, but never shows off, and sticks to his own corner. Inside, he carries this need to befriend someone so when Bubba gives him the time of day he latches on. The danger in his need to ‘fit in’ means he holds back, hides a fact about him to Bubba that places his life in danger finally.

Johnny: Johnny is the typical kid who likes the leader of a group and stays friends even though he’s partial to the other friends. He joins their three-on-three soccer scrimmage for his own personal needs to show-off, yet along the way he realizes there’s more to Giganto and clearly understands why Bubba likes being around him.

The bullies: typical bullies who like to pick on others for their own self-gratification. However, I gave the leader of this ‘bad tag team’ a reason to explain his actions. I can’t reveal what they are but suffice to say they play a big role all the way through. Bullies don't just bully without having a reason behind it. May stem from family situations (abuse, older siblings picking on them) and they take it out on other kids.

Besides bullying, there had to be another connecting factor associated with teens and their indifference to a life-threatening situation. The health issue I chose is one my son experienced. Once again I can’t reveal it or else it will spoil the mystery in the book. But it’s an important enough health issue to connect and show children the risks they take if they don’t take care of themselves.

Kathy, if you don’t mind, I’d love to bring my characters later this week to answer some of your interview questions. They’ve been bugging me for some spotlight time and I’ve…well…couldn’t say no to these guys.

Bubba & Giganto:Odds Against Us
by
Lea Schizas

4RV Publishing LLC
PO Box 6482
Edmond, OK 73083-6482
http://www.4rvpublishingllc.com
ISBN: 978-0-9797513-6-3
$10.99US

Available at:
Amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/Bubba-Giganto-Odds-Against-Us/dp/0979751365/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1219156292&sr=1-1
4RV Publishing
http://4rvpublishingllc.com/Store.html
Barnes & Noble
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Bubba-and-Giganto/Lea-Schizas/e/9780979751363/?itm=1
The Reading Warehouse
http://www.thereadingwarehouse.com/book.php?ISBN=9780979751363

E-Mail President@4rvpublishingllc.com
E-Mail Author : museitupeditor@yahoo.ca

VIRTUAL BOOK TOUR GUEST LEA SCHIZAS

Author Lea Schizas is the founder of The MuseItUp Club, an online critique community, the Muse Online Writers Conference, and co-founder of Apollo’s Lyre. Each of these venues has consistently been in Writer’s Digest 100 Top Writing Sites since 2005.

Bubba & Giganto:Odds Against Us
by
Lea Schizas

Synopsis of Book

Bubba hates it when his dad gets a contract for a new project. That means uprooting the family from one city and moving to another. Attending a new school is a major pet peeve of his. His smart alecky nature attracts the bullies in every school he’s attended.

On the first day of school, Bubba bumps into this rather large student. Fearing a confrontation, he wears his tough guy attitude and waits for the punches to begin. Remarkably, the new student apologizes, and Bubba and David (aka Giganto as Bubba eventually nicknames him) become best friends.

Bubba and Giganto try out for the high school soccer team, and that’s when trouble begins. Bubba knew eventually he’d meet the bullies of the school, and he was right.

In the first initial weeks, Bubba learns about a death that occurred the previous year; faces the bullies on several occasions; helps Giganto practice soccer before tryouts; and challenges the bullies to a scrimmage.

Little does Bubba know Giganto holds a secret - one that will place Giganto in a deadly situation.

BUBBA AND GIGANTO
Reviewed by Beverly Stowe McClure

Lea Schizas has written another page turner. Once I started reading about Bubba and David, AKA Giganto, I couldn’t stop. Before I knew it I’d read the whole story. I’m so glad I did.

Bubba (yes, Bubba, not Bobby or Brendan) Jacobson, tough guy, smart mouth, sensitive heart, and David (Giganto) Montana, nice guy, picked on by bullies, big and clumsy, are the least likely of friends. But when they meet on the first day of ninth grade a remarkable friendship is formed.

This is Bubba’s first year at Pierson High, and he’s delighted to discover they have a soccer team. Questions arise, however, when Bubba and David try out for the team. Why does Mr. Ambrose, the gym teacher, tell Bubba not to push David (Giganto) into something he doesn’t want to do? What is the secret about the boy who died during a soccer scrimmage the previous year? Is David (Giganto) connected to the tragedy? And why is Jason, all-star athlete with an attitude, so determined David doesn’t make the team?

Ms. Schizas is a master at surprise endings. Just when you think you know all the answers, she changes the questions with an unexpected twist or two. I never saw this one coming.

Themes of bullies, soccer, friendship, and forgiveness are woven through this short story, making it one boys can relate to and will enjoy reading. I recommend it for reluctant readers, children who perhaps are facing their own bullies, and also for sports lovers and everyone who enjoys a fast-paced book with continuous action.

Bubba & Giganto:Odds Against Us
by
Lea Schizas

4RV Publishing LLC
PO Box 6482
Edmond, OK 73083-6482
http://www.4rvpublishingllc.com
ISBN: 978-0-9797513-6-3
$10.99US

Available at:
Amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/Bubba-Giganto-Odds-Against-Us/dp/0979751365/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1219156292&sr=1-1
4RV Publishing
http://4rvpublishingllc.com/Store.html
Barnes & Noble
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Bubba-and-Giganto/Lea-Schizas/e/9780979751363/?itm=1
The Reading Warehouse
http://www.thereadingwarehouse.com/book.php?ISBN=9780979751363

E-Mail President@4rvpublishingllc.com
E-Mail Author : museitupeditor@yahoo.ca

VIRTUAL BOOK TOUR

VIRTUAL BOOK TOUR (Held on the first and third weeks of each month)

KAREN CIOFFI is the founder and moderator of this exciting book tour! She was fortunate to be able to participate in The Muse Online Conference in mid October. One of the workshops she took was Denise Cassino’s Book Marketing. Denise suggested that the attendees do virtual book tours for each other. Karen decided to create an organized group of authors that would advertise each others books, and do interviews to learn about the authors biographies, motivations, and writing secrets. She would like to see the group steadily grow and become a never-ending marketing tool. I have the distinct honor this first week of the tour of presenting Karen's first children's picture book on my blog.

DAYS END LULLABY

AUTHORs: KAREN CIOFFI and ROBYN FELTMAN

SYNOPSIS:
Day’s End Lullaby is a tender and charming illustrated children’s book. From a reminder that the sun has set and all beloved toys are awaiting tomorrow’s play, Day’s End Lullaby soothes and quiets even those children who struggle against sleep. The authors’ artistry found in their understanding of the sense of security needed by children at bedtime.

“Your day’s been long and full of fun. But, now you’re much too tired to run,” sings the parent to the child in the lullaby. Day’s End Lullaby has lyrical and rhyming phrases along with a rhythmic flow.

Author Cioffi composed the poem and music over 30 years ago to help her first born fall asleep and then again for her second child. She saw positive results in singing it and now she sings it to her two-year-old grandson. She reassures him, “The sun has set, it’s out of view. The moon’s now shining bright for you.”

Authors Cioffi and Feltman wrote and illustrated Day’s End Lullaby as a loving book to comfort little ones and provide a sense of security at bedtime. The simple and colorful illustrations are intended to hold the child’s attention while the parent’s soothing voice helps the child gently drift off into a peaceful slumber.

This book is an appealing addition to any collection of bedtime stories for preschoolers. Colorful and attractive illustrations pair beautifully with the rhyming text. Day's End Lullaby provides the reassuring tone young children will love as part of their bedtime routine.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS:

Karen Cioffi and Robyn Felman are advocates of education, reading and the environment. Two of their favorite sayings are:
“Nothing ventured, nothing gained”
“You must be the change you want to see in the world”

Karen Cioffi is an author and freelance writer. She is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, Children’s Writing Coaching Club, Writer’s Digest and Writer’s Market. She is also a member of several other writing groups. Author Cioffi lives with her husband, Donald, in New York City.

Robyn Feltman holds a master’s degree in Children’s Literature and is an elementary public school teacher. She is an initiator of environmental and humanitarian projects in her school; one of the projects is the Ambassador Program. Author Feltman lives in New York City and is also currently working toward her Administration/Supervision degree.

INTERVIEW WITH THE AUTHORS PART I:

1. What do you enjoy most about writing for children?

Children are such a joy and source of inspiration. My co-author, who happens to be my daughter, and I are both advocates of education and reading. Reading opens new worlds to children. It can enlighten them, it can open their imagination and it can teach them. Being a part of that is just a wonderful feeling.

2. How did you come up with the idea for the book?

I wrote the lullaby to the story over 30 years ago. My firstborn didn’t like sleeping. I sang it to her as I paced the hallway carrying her in my arms to get her to sleep and again when she’d wake in the middle of the night. I did the same thing with my second daughter and it became a family lullaby. Now my family sings it to my grandson and we will also sing it to my grandson due mid November. How it became a book is, after my first grandson came my daughter and co-author, Robyn, thought it would make a great bedtime story and here we are.

A REVIEW OF THIS BOOK:

This book is an appealing addition to any collection of bedtime stories for preschoolers. Colorful and attractive illustrations pair beautifully with the rhyming text. Day's End Lullaby provides the reassuring tone young children will love as part of their bedtime routine.

Kathleen Cavanagh
Librarian, Old South School
Ozone Park, New York

WHERE TO PURCHASE THIS BOOK:

Publisher: BookSurge
ISBN 13: 9781419691577
ISBN 1-4196-9157-0
Copyright © 2008 Karen Cioffi and Robyn Feltman

$9.99
Soft cover
28 pages

Day’s End Lullaby is available for sale at Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Days-End-Lullaby
KarenCioffi/dp/1419691570/ref=sr_11_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1220900352&sr=11-1
BookSurge, Alibris and Abebooks. It is also available through additional wholesale and retail channels worldwide such as Books in Print, Global Books in Print and Baker and Taylor.

For more information please visit the authors at: www.childrensbooksbykarenandrobyn.com
http://karenandrobyn.blogspot.com

STAY TUNED!! THERE WILL BE MORE POSTS ABOUT KAREN'S BOOK THIS WEEK. WHY DON'T YOU ASK THE AUTHOR A QUESTION?

SONGS AND RHYMES FOR SHAPES!

CIRCLE SONG (tune: “If Your Happy and You Know It”

A circle is a shape that goes round. (clap, clap)
A circle is a shape that goes round. (clap, clap)
A circle is a shape
That goes round and round and round.
A circle is a shape that goes round. (clap, clap)

Tiptoe slowly on the circle and go round (clap, clap)
Tiptoe slowly on the circle and go round. (clap,clap)
Tiptoe slowly on the circle,
And go round and round and round.
Tiptoe slowly on the circle and go round. (clap,clap)

SONNY SQUARE

Sonny square is my name.
My four sides are the same.

Slide around me, I don’t care.
Slide around me, I’m Sonny square.

Each angle is the same.
Equal angles are my game.

TIMMY TRIANGLE

I’m Timmy triangle.
Come on gang, look at me.
Count my sides, one, two, three.

Hop on one foot, on all three.
Hop the triangle with me.

Add my angles, it’s a breeze.
One hundred eighty degrees.

RICKY RECTANGLE

Ricky rectangle is my name.
My four sides are never the same.

Two are short, and two are long.
Jump my sides, come right along.

One and two and three and four.
Jump around and jump some more.

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CONSONANT BLEND WORKSHEET

Just click on this image to enlarge it. Print it out and use it to practice your sh,th,ch,br,and gr blends.

SIGHT WORD SEARCH

Just click on the picture to enlarge it. Print and make copies for your classroom.

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Book Reviews for Preschool and Middle School

ZOOPRISE PARTY

“Zooprise Party/Fiesta Zoopresa” is a charming biligual (English/Spanish) story that will introduce children to some unusual animals at the zoo. They will learn that friends come in all shapes, sizes, colors, and backgrounds. Author Rebekha Delgado and illustrator Joy Delgado go a step further to help you teach your children when they offer a wonderful activity book and a priceless teacher’s guide. The guide has reading discussions, art ,games, and information about the many unusual animals found in the story. No preschool or elementary classroom should be without this heartwarming book! To purchase click on the Laughing Zebra Books link in the right side bar.

BUBBA AND GIGANTO: AGAINST ALL ODDS

The author, Lea Schizas, really captured the heart of high school boys in her book, “Bubba and Giganto:Agaist All Odds.” Through her "hip" dialog I could understand their fears and hopes to fit in. Because bullying is such a big problem in schools, it's important that through this book kids can start to understand some of the root causes. More importantly, it gives them alternative ways to fight back, not with their fists but with athletic challenges and with their words. Kids in school often have to make choices whether to bully, support the actions of a bully, or stand up against a bully. This book will give more kids the courage they need to stand up against bullying or better yet to reach out to the bully to help him understand his motives.

I loved the suspense the author created as we slowly learned the facts about the asthma death. The story is rich with interesting scenes in school and on the soccer field. It was heartwarming to experience these believable characters as they learned valuable lessons through their experiences and were truly transformed. This chapter book is highly recommended for grades 6 – 8. To order click on the Lea Schizas link in the right side bar.

COMPOUND WORD FUN!

COMPOUND WORD SLIDE
Click on the picture above to enlarge. You can print, laminate and cut out this activity for your use.

SILLY COMPOUND WORDS
1. Make two piles of words. (One for objects and one for animals)

Objects like: horn, ball, hat, pen, tree
Animals like: cat, dog, snake, bug, bird

2. Have the children pick one word from each pile, and put them together to make a silly compound word. For instance, hornsnake, ballcat, treedog, penbug, hatbird

3. Draw a picture of your silly compound word.

COMPOUND WORD SWITCH
1. Separate two compound words, and switch them around to make a new compound word.

handbag and foothill make two new silly words- handhill and footbag
catfish and butterfly make two new silly words- catfly and fishbutter
crabgrass and crossroad make two new silly words- crabroad and crossgrass
wheelchair and beeline make two new silly words- wheelline and beechair
cottonwood and pancake make two new silly words- cottoncake and woodpan
sunflower and armpit make two new silly words- sunpit and flowerarm

2. Draw pictures of your new silly words and have fun!

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