Read Aloud Memories

 

 “Read Aloud Memories” by Linda Martin Andersen

Happy World Read Aloud Day!–March 4, 2015.  To learn more about this day, check here:  

http://www.litworld.org/wrad/

The theme:  Read Aloud.  Change the World.

Copyright 2015 LitWorld.org

Some of my favorite read aloud memories include:

• a teacher who read aloud daily sharing an event that happened that day in history.  As the school year progressed, the teacher permitted students to read from her book.  If you enjoy reading about historical events, consider this website:  http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history.  A shout out for Joyce Moyer Hostetter who introduced me to this site.  She writes historical fiction for children.  See here:  http://joycemoyerhostetter.info/
• my mother reading Heidi and other books to us.
• poetry readings sponsored by our local public library.  Today’s library offers storytelling programs as a regular part of programming for children.
• another teacher led my class in choral reading of displayed poems on chart paper.  I can still hear “There was a little turtle.  He lived in a box….” by  Vachel Lindsay 1879–1931.  I wonder if the author or my teacher would ever have dreamed that people would still be reciting this poem in 2015?  “The Little Turtle” is available in song and finger plays too.                  http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/173885
• Sunday School teachers and Vacation Bible School teachers read Bible stories and discussed them.

A BIG thank you to all those who shared read aloud moments with me!  I created a poster in your honor.

Poster created at Quozio.com

What about you?  What favorite read aloud memories do you have? 

Do you read aloud to others?  Perhaps you could volunteer to read aloud to children.

Please leave a comment.  Thanks for visiting.  Come again soon and bring a friend.

Children 13 years old or older may leave a comment. Read more about the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act. (COPPA) See: http://www.coppa.org/coppa.htm

Is it Time to Share That Story Stuck in a Drawer?

“Is it Time to Share That Story Stuck in the Drawer?” by Linda Martin Andersen

“A Writer’s Playground”–A place to find wordplay, writing, and monthly calendar activities for kids and those young at heart.

I recently  visited “Pencil Tips Writing Workshop” blog  and read a post entitled, “Writing Connections with Debbie Levy by Mary Quattlebaum.”  In an interview, Levy stated that something her mom had saved and brought with her as an immigrant to America, told of her days as a Jewish girl in Nazi Germany in 1930.  This reading led Levy to write a book .  Do you have a story or mementos stored away that needs sharing?  Check out this site to read about Debbie Levy’s experience.  http://tinyurl.com/m44vymc

Levy’s finished product is a historical novel in verse called The Year of Goodbyes.   

After reading this post, I was reminded of the current issue of  “Talking Story,” a quality newsletter written by Joyce Hostetter and Carol Baldwin.  Its current theme is immigration.   View it here:  http://www.carolbaldwinblog.blogspot.com/p/talking-story.html 

Learn more about these authors at their blogs.  They have discovered that items of historical  interest can be right around the corner or in their neighborhood:

http://joycemoyerhostetter.blogspot.com/  Joyce writes middle grade historical fiction–sometimes local community sites.  She lives in Hickory, North Carolina.

Carol is writing a middle grade novel called Half Truths about local historical events that took place in Charlotte, North Carolina, where she lives. http://www.carolbaldwinblog.blogspot.com/p/half-truths.html

Carol Baldwin and Joyce Hostetter also offer giveaways at Talking Story.  I just won a copy of The Amazing Harry Kelly Great American Magician by Gail Jarrow.  Lucky me!  I hope you’ll check out the great newsletter and register for future giveaways too.

Here’s another immigration resource from May 22, 2013:  On this day in history “The Great Emigration” departed for Oregon in 1843.  Learn more about it here:  http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/great-emigration-departs-for-oregon

Do you have an immigration story you’d like to share here?  Maybe you can turn it into a published story too!

Thanks for visiting “A Writer’s Playground.”  Come again soon.  Bring a friend.

Copyright © 2013 Linda Martin Andersen

Hula-Hoop History

“Hula-Hoop History” by Linda Martin Andersen

“A Writer’s Playground”–A place to find wordplay, writing, and monthly calendar activities for kids and those young at heart.

Hula-Hoop History…read all about it.

Joyce Hostetter, a historical novel author and friend, introduced me to www.history.com.  If you haven’t checked it out, today’s an extra fun day to do so.   I subscribe to their e-newsletter that spotlights things that happened this day in history.  Today’s news headline caught my attention.  I hope it catches yours too.   Hula-Hoop–give it a whirl, at home, on the playground, even at work.

http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/hula-hoop-patented?et_cid=52274078&et_rid=724205536&linkid=http%3a%2f%2fwww.history.com%2fthis-day-in-history%2fhula-hoop-patented

Thanks to Wham-O, who brought us all the Hula-Hoop.  Please share your favorite Hula-Hoop story or other comments.  What other famous toy did Wham-O develop?  Read to see.  Just for fun, how many hyphens do you see here?

Thanks for visiting “A Writer’s Playground.”  Come again soon.  Bring a friend.

Copyright © 2013 Linda Martin Andersen