OK, folks. This is serious!
I know I said I was going to finish the week with Challenge #3, but I have changed my mind for two reasons: one, no one's doing the challenge, (so I don't expect any heartbreak over a temporary delay - we'll pick it up next week), and two, I have to give a talk Monday to actual professional grown-ups and I'm feeling just a mite panicky (understatement of the year.)
I'm hoping you all will be able to help me out.
I'm wondering what people think about ebooks and book apps for kids. What are the pros and cons of these types of new media as they relate to teaching kids to read? Do they have a place in teaching reading? Do they surpass traditional books in this area? Do they merely distract from the actual process of reading with too many bells and whistles? Do they make lazy readers who rely on the voice that will read to them? Or, as some have said, do they open new doors, particularly for autistic and dyslexic students? In what ways?
If any of you have experience with this, especially specific apps you've used or seen, I would really love to hear about it. Parents, teachers, anyone! Opinions are also welcome!
Please share your thoughts. I am liable to dissolve into a panic-stricken puddle without a little moral support :)
On another note, for anyone who is interested, I will be at the Empire State Book Festival in Albany tomorrow, on a panel about picture books, and the New York State Readers Association Conference (NYSRA) in Saratoga Springs on Monday, where I will be giving the talk which relates partially to this topic. Also, April Fool, Phyllis! is being featured on The Children's Literature Network's new Book of The Day Fanfare segment today :) And Phyllis wants everyone to know that her prediction of snow on April Fools Day was correct!
Showing posts with label reading. Show all posts
Showing posts with label reading. Show all posts
April 1, 2011
January 3, 2011
Learning By Example
Happy New Year, Everyone!
I find something energizing about January first, don't you? It's a lot like a blank page - a fresh start full of possibilities!
At the beginning of the New Year, I feel inspired to try new things... and totally overload myself with projects and commitments of all kinds :) Everything seems so interesting! I've got a number of school/library/book festival visits scheduled already. I'm taking an 8 week writing course starting a week from today. I'm going to do the Picture Book Marathon in February, and PiBoIdMo again in November, and I intend to write at least one novel this year (do not laugh!) in addition to my usual writing. Plus the blog. Plus the marketing/publicity work that mid-listers like me find it important to pursue. Plus my writing group. Plus life in general. I hope you're beginning to understand my fondness for caffeine :)
But now I've found another fun, worthwhile thing to do and I invite you all to join me! A couple of my fellow bloggers are doing it, or did it last year. Over on Home Girl's Book Blog a 100 Book Challenge is being issued. The Goal: read at least 100 books this year! The challenge says any book counts, including crossovers from other challenges should you happen to be doing any. I plan to stick to picture books, MGs and YAs because that's what I write (or hope to!)
Here's my theory: yes, reading is time-consuming, but if you're going to write, there's an awful lot you can learn from reading talented authors in the genres you're interested in. For me, making a serious attempt at a MG or YA novel can only be helped by learning from example. Also, it gives me a good excuse to read a lot of great books :)
So who's with me? Anyone else want to give it a try? Eventually, when I figure out how, I'll put a button in the sidebar, but for now, the link above will work. Comment below if you decide you're in - I'd love to have some company! I don't know if I'll make 100, but I plan to give it my best shot. I'm thinking of starting with Shiver, by Maggie Stiefvater. Right after I finish this post. And do some writing. And laundry. And take the dogs for an outing. And make a fresh pot of coffee :)
I find something energizing about January first, don't you? It's a lot like a blank page - a fresh start full of possibilities!
At the beginning of the New Year, I feel inspired to try new things... and totally overload myself with projects and commitments of all kinds :) Everything seems so interesting! I've got a number of school/library/book festival visits scheduled already. I'm taking an 8 week writing course starting a week from today. I'm going to do the Picture Book Marathon in February, and PiBoIdMo again in November, and I intend to write at least one novel this year (do not laugh!) in addition to my usual writing. Plus the blog. Plus the marketing/publicity work that mid-listers like me find it important to pursue. Plus my writing group. Plus life in general. I hope you're beginning to understand my fondness for caffeine :)
But now I've found another fun, worthwhile thing to do and I invite you all to join me! A couple of my fellow bloggers are doing it, or did it last year. Over on Home Girl's Book Blog a 100 Book Challenge is being issued. The Goal: read at least 100 books this year! The challenge says any book counts, including crossovers from other challenges should you happen to be doing any. I plan to stick to picture books, MGs and YAs because that's what I write (or hope to!)
Here's my theory: yes, reading is time-consuming, but if you're going to write, there's an awful lot you can learn from reading talented authors in the genres you're interested in. For me, making a serious attempt at a MG or YA novel can only be helped by learning from example. Also, it gives me a good excuse to read a lot of great books :)
So who's with me? Anyone else want to give it a try? Eventually, when I figure out how, I'll put a button in the sidebar, but for now, the link above will work. Comment below if you decide you're in - I'd love to have some company! I don't know if I'll make 100, but I plan to give it my best shot. I'm thinking of starting with Shiver, by Maggie Stiefvater. Right after I finish this post. And do some writing. And laundry. And take the dogs for an outing. And make a fresh pot of coffee :)
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