Mrs. Gladden’s Blog for Parents: Our First Book Talk

Book Talks are oral presentations used to get kids excited about reading! The purpose of a Book Talk is to motivate students to read good books. The first graders in Mrs. Gladden's class will be giving Book Talks to their classmates. April was our first student to give her Book Talk, and she did an excellent job. Check it out!

About Me

I have always loved learning. Seeing students become passionate about learning is one of the most rewarding aspects of my profession. I come from a family of educators, and their support has guided me throughout seven years as a teacher. My husband, Steven, is a source of constant encouragement in my life. I LOVE TEACHING! Teaching, for me, is a daily expression of my best self and my hope for our world.

I grew up in Auburn, Alabama, where my dad is a professor in the department of biological sciences and my mom teaches toddlers. I received my undergraduate degree from Marshall University and my Master’s degree from the University of West Georgia. In my free time I love to spend time with my family, play soccer, travel, hike, and go camping.

Literacy Resources

Launching Young Readers
This site contains tips for parents of first graders.

1^st Grade Reviewed Book List

You will find a reviewed book list of suggested reading for first graders at this site.
Recommended Kids Books by Theme
This is a great resource for finding that special book for a special 1st grader! Children are more interested in practicing reading skills when they get to choose books that are interesting to them.
Book Finder
You can search this Book Finder by age and book theme. You can even specify if your child will read the book independently, or if you are looking for a book to read aloud to your child.

Tips for Parents of Beginning Readers

Created by the International Reading Association, this PDF brochure contains information about how to help your child make the transition into the wonderful world of reading.

Put Reading First: Helping Your Child Learn to Read

Published by the National Institute for Literacy, the site contains a parent’s guide to helping your beginning reader.

Literacy Activities

Game Goo Literacy Games
This site has engaging literacy games divided into beginner, intermediate, and advanced categories.
Starfall
Starfall contains leveled online reading activities that are engaging for young learners. We visit this site often in the computer lab. Check out the Parents link at the bottom of the page for more information about how to use the site to help your young learner.
Between the Lions
Occasionally we watch a video series called Between the Lions that corresponds to literacy skills taught in the classroom. This web site goes along with the video series and contains videos, games, online stories, and more. Be sure to visit the Parents and Teachers link at the bottom of the page for ways you can use this page to support learning at home. Young football fans will love playing the Blending Bowl game.
Picture Match Game
This game provides practice for your child in hearing and identifying the individual sounds within a word. Have your child start with beginning sounds. Once they have mastered that, they can move on to short vowel sounds and then long vowel sounds.
Construct a Word
Your child can practice spelling and reading words in this great game for practicing short vowels, blending, and letter/sound identification.
Beginning Sounds Memory
This game provides an opportunity for your child to practice beginning letter sounds while strengthening their memory skills. You can play the game with sound or without. Also, you can challenge yourself with a timer, or take it slow without a timer.
Online Stories
Sponsored by the Screen Actors Guild Foundation, this site features famous actors reading quality children’s literature to your child. Students benefit from hearing different models of fluent reading, and they can follow along as the actors read aloud.
Children's Storybooks Online
Here is a collection of children’s storybooks online.
Book Adventure
This is an online reading incentive program. The site generates quizzes for over 3,900 book titles. You can create customized booklists based on reading grade-level and interest.

Math Resources

How to Help with Math Homework
This site addresses how you can support your child as she/he completes math homework.
How Math Has Changed
Created by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, this site explains how elementary math curriculum has changed from the math you may remember.
Making Math Count
Read about how you can help your child get the most out of math.
Online Math Manipulatives
Manipulatives are objects we use to help students gain concrete experiences with math concepts. Have your child click on any of the activities in the Pre-K – 2 column.
Free Addition and Subtraction Worksheets
This page contains downloadable/printable addition and subtraction worksheets for extra practice.
Free Printable Math Fact Flashcards
You can print free math fact flashcards from this web site.

Math Activities

Addition and Subtraction Games
Check out Alien Addition and Minus Mission in the Add/Subtract tab. These games encourage students to think fast! The games on this site are optimized for the Nintendo Wii™, using the Wii Browser and Wii Remote.
Subtraction Games
Students read each problem and discover how many bees are inside the hive.
Treasure Hunt: Comparing Two-Digit Numbers
This game helps your child learn how to compare two-digit numbers.
Skip Counting by Twos
Have your child count by twos and connect the dots to make a picture.
Calendar Skills
Your child can practice calendar skills with this interactive calendar game.
Rock Hopper
This game is similar to the old Frogger for Atari, only it helps students learn number combinations, reasoning, and spatial skills. Check it out!
Fun Brain Math Arcade
The Math Arcade at Fun Brain includes several fun mini-games that help your child practice basic first grade math. Just have your child click on Skill Level 1.
Measuring with Paper Clips
This is a great activity for helping your child learn about measurement. In first grade, we use objects (such as paper clips) to measure the length of objects. Your child will learn how to measure with a ruler in second grade.
Math Lingo
BINGO! Your child can play a BINGO-like came while reviewing first grade math skills.
Stop the Clock Telling Time Game
In first grade, we learn how to tell time to the hour and half-hour. This game has kids match up digital clocks with corresponding clock faces. See how fast you can stop the clock!
Math Brain Teasers
This site has twelve brain teasers for first graders. These are tricky!

Mrs. Gladden’s Blog for Parents

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Our First Book Talk

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Mrs. Gladden's Class 2008-2009

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