True family literacy is not just a matter of establishing parent-child book nights and encouraging parents to read aloud to their children. Effective family literacy programs recognize and validate the important ways teachers, families, and community members learn from one another. Family literacy also relies on bringing students' home literacy routines into the classroom then back home again. This important book sheds light on family literacy practices that consider-and celebrate-students' complex and diverse home lives. Cultural considerations are key, and several chapters deal with the need to recognize, respect, and capitalize on home contexts for literacy in order to engage students, families, and communities. In these pages you will Read about successful family literacy programs Gain ideas for incorporating home culture and literacy practices into school settings to better engage students Learn how to effectively communicate literacy practices and goals to parents This volume differs from other books on family literacy in that the contributors themselves reflect the demographic diversity in today's schools. So in addition to presenting their research and classroom experiences, they give rich, personal accounts of their own interactions with students, teachers, and families. And they raise questions about power and access, calling for true learning partnerships. Book jacket.

A first, worst impression leads to a lasting friendship in this hilarious picture book romp from the author of the New York Times bestselling Cat series and The Quiet Book. Things you'd expect to find in the bathtub: 1. Soap bubbles 2. Rubber duckies 3. Shampoo Things you don't expect to find in the bathtub: 1. WALRUS As it turns out, once a walrus settles in for a nice long soak, it's pretty darn hard to get him out. What's a family to do? This silly-sweet story will keep readers giggling as a family tries--and tries again!--to evict their unexpected houseguest... before finally realizing why he's there in the first place.

Explore taste-safe small worlds, create colorful pieces of art, and engage all five senses while investigating the great outdoors. Sensory play is a wonderful way to explore the world with your little learners! Sensory Play for Toddlers and Preschoolers is a practical, hands-on guide for parents and educators who want to inject more play into their children's day! Since this collection features simple sensory play ideas with items you already have in your home, playtime has never been easier. Inside the book, you’ll find forty easy sensory play tubs and activities with extra bonus ideas for extending the activities even further! Not only will your child be learning and exploring through play, but you’ll also be creating some magical memories of playtime that will last a lifetime! Learn how to get started with sensory play using tips, tricks, and sensory play staples. Follow quick and easy, tried and tested sensory base recipes designed to ignite the senses and inspire hours of sometimes messy, always memorable playtime. Create thoughtful sensory invitations and artworks while developing fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, early measurement concepts and so much more! Sensory play allows our little learners to make connections as they explore the world around them using their senses of sight, smell, taste, sound, and touch. It’s the beginning of a lifelong journey of scientific understanding and a wonderful way to connect and bond with your little learners! Projects include: Rainbow Rice Cloud Dough Sand Foam Edible Mud Water Tub Rainbow Spaghetti Frozen Building Blocks Outdoor Kitchen Jell-O Bug Rescue Bubble Wrap Paintings and more!

Splish, splash! Little Critter grabs some toys and a towel for his bubble bath in this adorable storybook which is perfect for bedtime readings! Little Critter runs the water, adds the bubbles and washes his face, hair and feet (even between the toes!) in this adorable picture book. It’s perfect for pre-bath or bedtime reads!

An introduction to over 400 books and 400 poems arranged in 60 book-sharing activities. Each activity features one outstanding children's book and presents parents with strategies for guiding their children through the book in ways that promote enjoyment and learning. "Ready for Reading" is truly designed to give parents and their children success with formal reading instruction.

This series of books uses fiction, non-fiction and poetry texts, as well as phonics, as a basis to help young children in the Early Years develop their literacy skills. It brings together the early learning goals of the foundation stage and the national literacy strategy objectives, using structured play, games and fun activities to put across the relevant teaching points in an enjoyable way, while simultaneously nurturing a love of literature. Each book presents structured activities based around suggested focus texts. To help practitioners save time in planning and organizing, the materials needed and the preparation required for each session are described in detail. The activities have been designed to cater to different achievement levels, and can be adapted or added to according to the needs of individual children and settings. Follow-up activities are also suggested, to bring in wider aspects of the Early Learning Goals and the NLS objectives. Elements of this book include exploring well-loved traditional stories and quality familiar modern stories by established authors; using the texts as a basis to focus on specific literacy goals and objectives; using the texts as a stimulus for games and play activities that help to teach literacy skills; planning and preparation for each literacy session, including materials needed and scripted sessions; ideas for working and playing with the whole group and smaller groups to consolidate the literacy skill; and extension ideas and activities.