Christmas around the world children's literature countdown: holiday kids books

Christmas around the world is celebrated different ways. Each culture observes Christmas with unique traditions. What better way to explore Christmas around the world than with a children's literature countdown? Read down to Christmas and around the world with this holiday stories and kids' books. that with books? Advent--the four week season of preparation before Christmas--is a good time for an around the world children's literature journey. Here are thirty kids books on Christmas around the world.   Christmas around the world children's literature countdown: holiday kids books

How to write an awesome graduation speech: Valedictorian speech-writing tips - Grand Rapids Holidays | Examiner.com

It's graduation time: time for cap and gown, pomp and circumstance. Do you have to write a salutatorian or valedictorian graduation speech? It's a great honor, but it can be intimidating, too. Here are tips to write a graduation speech that will leave them speechless (with admiration).   How to write an awesome graduation speech: Valedictorian speech-writing tips - Grand Rapids Holidays | Examiner.com

Poetry slam activities, Japanese wabi-sabi poems, writing prompts for NaPoWriMo

April is National Poetry Month. Some writers celebrate NaPoWriMo, or National Poetry Writer Month (an online poetry slam lollapalooza) . And what better month to celebrate poems than April with spring awakening, nature busting out all over and Earth Day nestled in? Want to join the poem-penning but don't know where to begin? Here are poetry writing prompts, story starters and word games I invented, to call forth your inner bard! Perfect for homeschooler parents, English and creative writing teachers.  Poetry slam activities, Japanese wabi-sabi poems, writing prompts for NaPoWriMo 

Reading response journal rubric: literature activities, book lesson plans

Looking for creative ways to teach reading? Use literature response journals. Here's a template to make student reading response journal. Use for English, ELA (English language arts), literature, reading and writing classes. Use for Readers Workshop (a popular interactive reading group method used in elementary and middle school). Here's the book journal format.  Reading response journal rubric: literature activities, book lesson plans



Here's a link with optional reading response journal activities and ELA lessons to accompany the literature response journal.

Words writers need to quit using, overused phrases that should be banned - Grand Rapids News | Examiner.com

 India's censorship board pulled plans to ban certain abusive words in broadcasting. Public outcry was loud, but not in opposition to banning words. Critics felt the banned words list wasn't long enough, reported Rediff Feb. 25. That's spot-on. There's a plethora of words that should be banned and not just crude ones. These are irritating words journalists overuse, misuse and abuse. They use these phrases to lure readers and trigger search engines. And they need to stop. Here are annoying phrases that need censoring now.Words writers need to quit using, overused phrases that should be banned - Grand Rapids News | Examiner.com