Brenda Pritchett

Improve Reading with these Bookmarks

2011-10-03T06:39:00.001-07:00

I designed two bookmarks that are helpful for young readers. One highlights 25 words that make up 33% of the words that we read. Doesn't it make sense as teachers that we make sure our students can read these words?

A second bookmark allows a child to write down an unknown word as he is reading. Later it may be looked up and then the child has a record of new words. A small vocabulary has been a roadblock for many young readers. This bookmark can act as a review.

See the website Teachers Pay Teachers for these and more of my helps: www.teacherspayteachers.com
At this time all my teaching aids are listed at no cost to you. They are free.

T. A. Barron

2011-04-10T13:11:00.000-07:00

Last week I attended and presented at the University of Southern Mississippi's Children's Book Festival. Each year the Conference honors an author with a Silver Madallion. The 2011 Award went to T.A. Barron for his contribution to Children's Literature. As I listened to him speak I was inspired by his thoughts. As he shared his desire to find a metaphor for the magic of story he offered these ideas: like an instrument playing beautiful music, or weaving a tapestry of colorful threads, or planting seeds. However, he decided that perhaps the best description is lighting a match where the flame burns brightly.

As encouragement to other children's writers, he recommended that you think about what you really love and also look to see what the world needs and put them together.

Barron spoke of how he thought young people are seen as a target market rather than our future. He feels strongly that we should let them know that they are more than consumers but creators of their lives, choices, and their own stories. This is one reason that he has created a Foundation called the Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes. Awards are given annually to young people who are making a difference.(www.barronprize.org) Heroes are different from celebrities. Heroes are those whose actions are based on character, compassion, and wonder rather than fame. Many are unsung heroes in our communities that are simply choosing to do the right thing.

Other than his book, The Heroes Trail, his books are fantasies. I encourage you to check one out from the library.

The Power of Story

2011-02-10T15:49:00.000-08:00

Creating a word picture or telling a story are the best ways to get messages across to children. A parent may discuss the importance of truthfulness but when the child hears the story of The Boy Who Cried Wolf then consequences are easier to visualize. Many Folk Tales and Aesop Fables provide a background for teaching our children the importance of making right choices. Because of the child's limited experiences, it is hard for them to visualize the results of their actions. Stories provide open doors to see what could happen without the embarrassment of making a big mistake.

National Storytelling Festival

2010-10-04T14:39:00.000-07:00

On September 30th I rode with two friends to Jonesborough, TN to attend my first National Storytelling Festival. I had wanted to go for many years but there had been conflicts of time available.

I enjoyed visiting the oldest town in Tennessee. We were fortunate to stay at the Febuary(yes, without the "r") Hill Bed and Breakfast. It was centrally located and easy to access all the events.

Each day events occurred in five large tents that probably seated 500 people each. Even though a 30 minute break was scheduled after each telling session, unless a person moved quickly, you could be sitting on the ground at the next session in another tent.

I recognized quickly that the tellers told mainly stories from their life experiences. Some stories were sad and others funny. The storyteller does have the privilege to embellish. Tragedies were mixed by point of view. The fact of the matter is rain will fall on all of us, deserved and undeserved, it all depends on learning to dance in the rain.

Story has the power to change our lives. Placing a mental picture in the mind and touching the heart strings with emotion far outweigh the words in and of themselves.
I see there is a story behind every face.

M.U.W. Discovery Camp

2010-07-20T17:35:00.000-07:00

The M.U.W. Discovery Camp is a wonderful week of learning, exploring new things and loads of fun and that is just what last week was as my team teacher Shannon Ingram and I worked with Kindergarten at the 2010 camp. We chose two different themes to learn about- circus and pirates. I started the week at the Ring Master and talked about the history of the circus, people in the circus, animals in the circus, and clowning. Alternating half days Shannon introduced pirates of the past and their pirate gear. We made catapults and aimed and fired marshmellows down the hall. No one had to walk the plank and the week ended with all smiles!

M.U.W. Discovery Camp

2010-07-20T13:48:00.000-07:00

MAC Performing Artist Roster

2010-07-04T14:18:00.000-07:00

On July 1, 2010 the Mississippi Arts Commission announced those accepted for the new year. I was accepted for the Performing Artist Roster. This allows groups who would like to have a storyteller present for an event the opportunity to apply for a mini-grant. The application can be downloaded from their website. For more information see www.arts.state.ms.us or call 601-359-6030.

When the new online catalog is published, please note that all the artists selected are the cream of the crop. All applicants go through a lengthy application process and must be approved by a review panel.

Hawaii

2010-06-26T13:25:00.000-07:00

June 16th my husband and I made the long trip to beautiful Hawaii. We flew from Birmingham, AL to Denver and from Denver to Honolulu. There is a 5 hour time difference and when we arrived at 4:30 in the afternoon it was 9:30 p.m. our time. Our stay was six glorious days.

I had the privilege of telling stories at 4 public libraries and presenting a workshop for the Hawaii Children's Literature Conference at the University of Hawaii.

Hawaii is a beautiful state. The residents are the most gracious people I have ever met. The beauty of the mountains and the water takes your breath away. We stayed in Waikiki Beach at the Outrigger Reef on the Beach. It was a great location for walking to see local sites. The Shore Bird Restaurant in the hotel was marvelous for the great food not to mention it sits on the beach allowing you to watch the water and surfers and boats while you eat.

We were able to attend a luau and enjoy the history about the local culture. We visited the International Market Place and found souvenirs for ourselves and family.

I felt sadness when it was time to leave. You can really lose tract of time and days in such a place. Words are just not enough to describe it.

How we learn

2010-06-15T12:49:00.000-07:00

I'm, sure that you have heard this before (It's not original by me.) but it bears repeating:

We remember only 10% of what we read.
We remember only 20% of what we hear.
We remember only 30% of what we see.
We remember 50% of what we both hear and see.
We remember 70% of what we see, hear, and discuss with others.
We remember 80% of what we experience personally.
We remember 90% of what we see, hear, discuss, and experience.

If children are going to learn, then we as teachers need to involve them in the process. Research indicates that asking questions before and after reading a story increases learning.

Sight Words

2010-05-04T12:45:00.000-07:00

If 25 words make up 33% of the words that we read, don't you think we need to be sure that beginning readers know these?
They are: the, and, a, to, of, I, in, was, that, it, he, you, for, with, is, had, her, she, his, as, on, at, have, but, me.

USM Children's Book Festival/Telling Stories to Children

2010-04-16T09:50:00.000-07:00

The USM Children's Book Festival was held April 7-9, 2010.This conference was inspiring and informative. Outstanding authors and storytellers spoke and entertained us.
I led a workshop about different ways to share stories with children. Often teachers and librarians are locked in to using picture books with their students but there are many other fun ways to hold their attention and enjoy stories together.

I recommend the following:
Telling stories using mime or sign language
Telling stories with an echo, chant, or call and response
Telling stories using a storytelling apron or flannelgraph board
Telling stories that you draw or cut out
Telling stories using puppets

Interactive storytelling is always engaging and fun!

Rabbits & Turtles - Using Poetry with Young Children

2010-04-16T09:38:00.000-07:00

Rhyme is a great language builder for young children. Not only do they enjoy the sing song beat but they are learning about word families. Two fun and popular poems:

The Turtle
There was a little turtle who lived in a box.
He swam in a puddle and climbed on the rocks.
He snapped at a mosquito. He snapped at a flea.
He snapped at a minnow and he snapped at me.
He caught the mosquito. He caught the flea.
He caught the minnow, but he didn't catch me!

The Rabbit
Hop little rabbit, hop, hop, hop!
Hop little rabbit - don't you stop!
Hop little rabbit 1, 2, 3.
Hop little rabbit just like me.
(Use two fingers of your hand to present a little rabbit.)

Florida Storytelling Association Story Camp

2010-03-31T06:24:00.000-07:00

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=30588977&l=d68533872e&id=1419480468

March 25-28, 2010 was an exciting time for me as I attended and presented two workshops at the Florida Story Camp near Leesburg, FL. Approximately 137 folks participated in workshops, concerts, and networking. Workshops and outstanding concerts in the evenings kept my mind awake reviewing the day when I finally laid down at night.

In my workshop Without Skipping a Beat: Incorporating Music into your Storytelling, we discussed several of the benefits of including music as a part of your stories.
Research says:
1. Music teaches concentration - children are waiting and watching for their turn.
2. Music teaches coordination - children learn eye and hand coordination using instruments. This is valuable for writing.
3. Music teaches self confidence - children can participate in group activities without feeling like they are being put in the spotlight.
4. Music enhances abstract reasoning skills and is reported highly superior to computer training.
5. Music effects children emotionally teaching patience and perserverance through practice. Also, music can spin us up and calm us down.

We sang simple songs that we already knew and discussed how to change the words to meet your needs. We finished out session using homemade kazoos and sang On Top of Spaghetti with the story by Paul Brett Johnson.

What's in the red box?

2010-03-05T10:06:00.000-08:00

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2032163&id=1419480468&l=fc9c8bbeee

The Cat in the Hat finds a red box. Do you remember from the story what was in the box?

Dr. Seuss's Birthday

2010-03-05T09:29:00.000-08:00

Read Across America is a giant birthday bash to celebrate the birthday of Dr. Seuss. More than 300 students at Heritage Elementary enjoyed the Cat in the Hat's antics. On March 2, our stories included Green Eggs and Ham, Mr Brown Can Moo, and the Thinks You Can Think. The audience enjoyed a Cat Quizzer Game where a student outwitted the teacher with knowledge about Dr. Seuss.

Take the quiz and see how you do: True or False

1. Dr. Seuss's real name is Richard Seuss Geisel.
2. Dr. Seuss would be 106 years old if he were alive today.
3. Dr. Seuss won the Caldecott Book Award twice.
4. The first book published by Dr. Seuss is Green Eggs and Ham.
5. Dr. Seuss was a real doctor.

Answers:
1. F His real name was Theodor Seuss Geisel.
2 T He was born March 2, 1904.
3. F He did receive 3 Honor Book Awards but never the Medal for best book of the year.
4. F The first book published was To Think I Saw It On Mulberry Street.
5. F Dr. Seuss's father had wanted him to become a college professor but he never did.

The Diary of a Worm

2010-02-06T19:14:00.000-08:00

(This story time video ia 30 minutes in length....I will have to learn how to edit with my new camera.)

Third graders listened to the Diary of a Worm. We identified vocabulary words and talked about how they were used in the story. Ways to figure out unknown words in a story include looking for clues in the pictures or the sentences around the word. Students can also look it up in the dictionary or ask someone else.

Good readers also ask questions before starting a story. Then they think about the story while reading. Teachers call this monitoring as you read. At the end we played a "Remembering Game" with stop signs. Everytime Mrs. Peabody became mixed up while retelling the story, the students raised their stop signs to help her get back on tract. Lastly, we reviewed the elements of a story with the display board called "Dancing with the Stars of the Story". Children each had their own stars and placed their thumbs on the Who-What-When-Where-Why as we discussed these parts.

Talking about reading aloud.....

2010-02-02T14:33:00.000-08:00

I had the best time today sharing with future teachers about the importance of reading aloud.

Reading Aloud: Did you know?

2010-01-23T19:08:00.000-08:00

Mem Fox said in her book READING MAGIC that children who can recite nursery rhymes at age 4 are lead readers at age 8. Rhyming words teach children about word families. If I can spell "cat", then I can spell "hat". If I can read "feet", then I can read "meet". Children must be able to identify the alphabet letters and know their sounds to be a reader.

The sad part is that 65% of Mississippi's children arrive at school not ready to learn. If it takes a child 150 to 450 repetitions to learn and know a concept, where is that going to place that child in the classroom if they have no prior knowledge?
You are right- at the back of the class.

One of the most valuable gifts a parent can give their children is to read aloud to them. It builds their vocabulary, teaches them fluency, introduces them to knowledge they may not experience any other way (such as riding the subway in New York - for children in the South, the only Subway they know is a sandwich). Reading aloud stretches their attention span and stretches their imagination. Pass it on~

Christmas stories with Mrs. Peabody video

2010-01-16T07:52:00.000-08:00

This is my promotional video created by Sarah Wilson. It was filmed at Barnes & Noble, Starkville, Mississippi, and Annunciation Catholic School, Columbus, Mississippi, in December 2009.

Christmas stories video

Mrs. Peabody Tells Stories at Christmas

2009-12-12T13:46:00.000-08:00

Waiting for Christmas is hard especially when you are small. "Mama, Mama, Is It Christmas Yet?" is just the thing for those who have a hard time waiting.

"That's Not Santa!" is the story about Santa's lost red suit. Santa dresses in several different costumes but the elves agree that is NOT Santa. Mrs. Claus saves the day and arrives with a new red suit just in time.

"Santa Claus, Santa Claus what do you see?" is a parallel to "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, what do you see?

"Santa is stuck in the chimney" is a spin off to the Giant Turnip. Mrs. Claus, Rudolph, and Samson, the elf just cannot get the job done. When Frosty the Snowman arrives to help, all goes well!

"Santa Can't Sleep" is a funny story that sounds a lot like "Too Much Noise". The Christmas fairy offers Santa some advice when he finds himself sleepless at the North Pole. He brings in the Christmas goose (honk! honk!), Rudolph the red nosed reindeer (clip clop), a busy elf (hammer, hammer). When Santa sends away all the characters in his room, he finds things are so quiet that he gets his nap before the long night ride on his sleigh.

"Santa's House" is a story in sign language. The trick is to see if you can tell the story quickly without skipping a sign :-)

HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS and THE POLAR EXPRESS are stories that never grow old.

I was reading "The Crippled Lamb" when a very verbal 2 year old called out- "Excuse me, excuse me.... I paused, "Yes?" He replied, "Cows can't talk." His mother looked like she was going to fall through the floor. I said, "You are right but we will pretend in this story." He smiled.

Two other favorites are "The littlest Angel" and "The Candy Maker's Gift".

Truly the best gifts are not those found in a store or bought with money. Love, kindness, joy, friendship- these are priceless!

Looking Ahead~

2009-10-31T18:22:00.000-07:00

Please accept my invitation to attend the Columbus-Lowndes Public Library Christmas Open House on December 3, 2009. There is a sale of donated Christmas wreaths and centerpieces. The parade of Trees is a highlight! Approximately 24 trees are decorated by local schools and businesses. I'll be sharing stories from 6:30-7 p.m.

December 12th and December 19th, I'll be telling stories at Barnes & Noble in Starkville at noon on these two Saturdays. Children are also invited to come and let Mom and Dad take your picture with Santa. It's free so please mark your calendar now!

Meridian Fall Storytelling Festival

2009-10-31T18:12:00.001-07:00

On October 24, 2009 the first annual storytelling festival was held in Meridian, MS.
There was a fine line up of local and regional storytellers. It was my opportunity to share stories with the children. The audience enjoyed Scat the Cat - a participation story, The Old Lady and the Pumpkin - a folktale from Bangladesh, Anansi and the Common Sense, Popcorn - a Halloween story including a costume contest that guests helped stage, along with a drawing and cutting story. We all had a ball!
Check out their website: www.msstorytellers.com. I was able to complete an interview with June Davidson afterwards that is posted there.

Mississippi Alliance for Arts Education

2009-10-31T18:02:00.000-07:00

I had the privilege to participate with 16 other Mississippi artists to learn more about the application process to become a part of the Mississippi Artist Roster sponsored by the Mississippi Arts Commission. It was 2 full days packed with learning experiences. Participants must apply and be accepted to attend. It is a very worthwhile time and I would recommend it.

Alabama Storytelling Association Conference

2009-10-22T15:45:00.000-07:00

The Alabama Storytelling Association held their first annual conference in Selma, Alabama along side the Tale Telling Festival led by Kathryn Tucker Windham. It was such a pleasure to see so many storytellers together at one time sharing their stories. As one of the workshop leaders, I was able to pass on some often forgotten but engaging ways to share stories with children such as stories in mime, cutting stories with scissors, drawing stories, and more. I reminded those attending to remember the Letter "P" when telling to children. That stands for "Participation!"

The Home/School Connection

2009-10-07T08:24:00.001-07:00

Last night I shared with parents of preschoolers ways that they can connect the learning at school to their homes. Using what I call "homemade learning" (items made with things around the house), we talked about 10 ways Mom and Dad can reinforce learning the alphabet and letter sounds, as well as other preschool concepts like colors, numbers, and shapes.

1) Take 2 empty toilet tissue rolls and wrap with construction paper to make binoculars and look around the room for the letters.

2) Take Milk Caps and write letters on them. If the child can name the letter then they can keep the cap. Also use the pieces to play the memory game.

3) Take an empty food box and cut the front panel off. Cut this panel into 6-8 pieces making a puzzle for the child to put together.

4) Fill an empty water bottle with items to promote conversation with the child. The bottle may contain pieces of colored paper. Ask the child to name a color that he sees and name a food that is the same color. The purpose of this activity is to build conversation with the child. I call these Yakity Yak Bottles.

5) Take round coffee filters and make a Learning Wheel. Write letters around the edge. Ask the child to put his finger on a certain letter.

6) Junk Mail envelopes can be used to hold letters of the alphabet. Write a word on the back of the envelope and let the child match the correct letters from inside the envelope.

7) Use empty food jars to collect words. At the end of the week pull out the strips of paper and discuss the words, their beginning sounds, and meaning.

8) Take a posicle stick and place a star on one end. Call it your Point and Say Stick. Using a book, magazine, or newspaper, point and name things, then ask your child to tell you the beginning sounds of objects in pictures.

9) Make puppets from all kinds of containers. Let the puppet ask the child questions.

10) Write the alphabet on a large piece of paper. Save transparent lids from peanut cans or other food can items. Play a game asking the child to cover the letter that you call out. Remember to ask them to name the sounds too.

Alphabet recognition and sounds are important tasks that every child must master before beginning to read.

"Making Small Miracles a Big Success"

2009-08-15T16:10:00.000-07:00

ICS Head Start, in Grenada, Mississippi, prepared for the new school year with Pre-Service Workshops on August 13, 2009. The Reading Aloud class that I taught focused on learning skills to use for pre-reading, during reading, and after reading.
Asking questions before reading the story helps the teacher recognize the child's background knowledge and experience with the subject. During reading the teacher may pause to clarify vocabulary or meaning of text. She may stop and ask the class "What do you think is going to happen next?" before she turns the page. Extensions that follow reading aloud a story help the child pick out important parts, learn sequence, and apply higher order thinking. Each teacher received a TIME FOR READING FUN bag with items to use in their story times. These included: Eyeball It, Frog & Toad puppets, Read My Lips Signs for retelling, and a Read Aloud Learning Wheel that showed best practices for reading aloud. Also in the bag was a foam star with the 5 W's - Who, What, When, Where, & Why, and yes, we did 'Dance with the Stars'. Lastly, a song sheet had words to familiar tunes that could be used while teaching basic concepts. Learning takes place when we engage our students in the process.

Learning Around the Clock

2009-08-06T17:01:00.000-07:00

Wednesday, August 5th, Head Start Teachers and assistants in Tupelo, MS learned components of reading aloud and new ways to present stories to build a love for reading with young children. Since language and music are cousins, we learned some songs to use with themes and attention-getters too.

Try some of these:

Song: SNEEZE (Tune: Shorten Bread)
If you have to sneeze, sneeze, sneeze,*
If you have to sneeze, look what I’ve found.
Sneeze in your elbow, elbow, elbow.
Stop those germs from spreading around.
If you have to sneeze, sneeze, sneeze,
If you have to sneeze, do it right!
* cough

Chant: RHYMING WORDS
Do you know 2 rhyming words, 2 rhyming words, 2 rhyming words? Do you know 2 rhyming words that sound a-lot alike?
Bake & Cake are rhyming words, rhyming words, rhyming words, Bake & Cake are rhyming words that sound a-lot alike!

Song: COLORS
(Tune: Head, Shoulders, Knees & Toes)
Red, & yellow, green & blue, green & blue. (2X)
Black & brown, purple & orange,
Red & yellow, green & blue, green & blue.

Fingerplay: LITTLE RABBIT
Hop little rabbit, hop, hop, hop!
Hop little rabbit, don’t you stop!
Hop little rabbit, 1-2-3.
Hop little rabbit, just like me!

Save the Date - November 17, 2009

2009-08-06T16:53:00.001-07:00

Join me at MSU on November 17, 2009 for the Enrichment Class "Gifts from the Heart".

Read more on the webpage: www.ce.msstate.edu/pe
Click on the blue sidebar that says Fall classes.
Look under Miscellaneous - Gifts from the Heart.
Homemade is best!

BOOKS ARE GREAT! BOOKS ARE NEAT! READING BOOKS JUST CAN'T BE BEAT!

2009-08-04T14:31:00.000-07:00

Last week, friends at United Christian Day Care & After School held a Puppet Theater Class. Fluency was a big thing as we learned how to use expression in our voices. Puppeteers really made us laugh by just the way they said things!

We all learned that putting on a show is hard work. Although puppeteers read their scripts posted on the stage wall, it was necessary to be familiar with the words so that you don't get tongue tied. Your arm can sure get tired holding that puppet in place for a whole skit. Remembering to move the puppet's mouth as you are speaking is kind of like patting your head and rubbing your stomach all at the same time. These friends were definitely shining stars!

Reading and Presenting (RAP) Stories to Children

2009-07-14T12:10:00.000-07:00

On September 12, 2009, I am presenting a continuing education class at Ole Miss in Oxford, MS from 9-3 at the E.F. Yerby Conference Center. The cost is $75 for .5 CEUs.

Teachers will learn 4 basic strategies to build comprehension to use in Story Time circles.
Different types of stories and numerous methods of presentation will be given. Participants will learn more about do's and do not's for reading aloud. Attention getters and music are a part of the activities. Teachers will make a Reading Strategy Glove and a Story Time Box To Go.

Contact: Leteria McDonald @ 662.915.7283 or email: lmcdonal@olemiss.edu

Hope to see you there!

MUW Discovery Camp July 6-10, 2009

2009-07-10T23:24:00.000-07:00

Kindergarteners enjoyed a rootin' tootin' good time during a week jam packed full of activities around the theme The Wild West. Fun stories like BUBBA THE COWBOY PRINCE and WHY COWBOYS SLEEP WITH THEIR BOOTS ON were just a part of the fun. We made numerous things including Story Time Boxes with the flannel story of THE THREE PIGS and THE TRUE STORY OF THE THREE LITTLE PIGS. These boxes were covered with chalkboard paint and children could draw stories too. Campers panned for gold and played in the S.D. Corral. We enjoyed painting and designing our own puppets. Our week ended with a presentation for parents at the Discovery Rodeo and Indian Pow Wow. Ya'll come back and see us now!

America's Birthday

2009-07-02T12:18:00.001-07:00

Mrs. Peabody visited the Child & Development Center at MUW and shared stories about our country's birthday. Little friends sang songs about the flag as they waved it high in the sky. We also learned that Abraham Lincoln loved to read and helped others in many small and kind ways.

Puppet Theater

2009-06-19T11:32:00.000-07:00

Our group of puppeteers was all girls! Each person learned how to read a script and speak with expression. The scripts are taped to our theater prop and can be easily read as the puppet acts for the audience. The 3 & 4 year olds who came to the presentation were all giggles as the puppeteers interacted with them.
After performing the girls asked, "When can we do it again?"

Sitting on the Farm

2009-06-12T20:36:00.000-07:00

This week's puppet class put together 4 skits to share with children at a local Learning Center. Puppeteers shared songs and stories about the farm.