Reading Helps Children Become Independent Learners

ONCEKids, the publisher of the Fujimini Island Adventure Series, understands that the goal of teaching reading involves helping children become independent learners. Reading is a skill that requires children to venture into new worlds and learn. Being an independent learner does not mean learning alone but it does mean that students receive effective instruction before they wander into books. What does effective instruction look like when it comes to teaching reading?

1. Teacher modeling: This involves combining explicit, direct instruction with discussion. 
2. Scaffolding: This means building from what students know. A great way to scaffold is to do pre-reading diagrams or mind mapping. 
3. Group practice: After instruction and mind mapping, pairs or small groups read texts together. This helps students learn more reading strategies from their fellow students.
4. Peer teaching: Invite students to become teachers. This helps engage students in the task of reading gives them the power to help form reading strategies together.
5. Integration: This basically means combining all of the above strategies with writing and read-alouds.

For more information visit www.oncekids.com and explore Fujimini Island.

E-books are the future! Celebrate with ONCEKids!

Borders Bookstore, with over 19,000 employees and stores in nearly every state, is having financial difficulty. Sales at Borders have been declining over the past five years and they have posted losses for each earning period. Borders is in the process of closing 30% of its stores. Interestingly, Barnes & Noble has posted gains and continues to do a brisk business. Why is Borders having problems and not Barnes & Noble? Experts say it has much to do with the rise of e-books and Barnes & Noble’s success at marketing their e-book readers. Barnes & Noble’s claims to have had a great holiday season and attributes their profit to high e-book reader sales. E-books are the future of reading.

ONCEKids recognizes the power of e-books. ONCEKids will be launching their Fujimini Island Adventure Series books on iBook. Young children will be able to enjoy the series digitally.

Stay tuned for the launch date!

For more information visit www.oncekids.com and explore Fujimini Island.

The Power of iPads!

iPads are making a splash in education in a big way. One school district in New York placed iPads in all their humanities classes. Students learn about history and the arts through interactive games, puzzles and books. Some people have questioned the value of using iPads in the classroom. Detractors have commented that there is very little statistical proof that computers in the classroom have improved learning. Additionally, detractors have commented that in our age of steep budget cuts iPads seem like an extravagance. But many educators are singing the praises of iPads and are distributing to kids starting in kindergarten. Some educators have indicated that there are thousands of uses for iPads and that iPads are undoubtedly beneficial in streamlining education regardless of the lack of studies.

ONCEKids recognizes the power of iPads. ONCEKids will be launching their Fujimini Island Adventure Series books on iBook. Young children will be able to enjoy the series digitally.

Stay tuned for the launch date!

For more information visit www.oncekids.com and explore Fujimini Island.

Holiday Fun with Your Family

Looking for a great activity to share with your kids during this holiday season? How about dusting off those snazzy aprons and stirring up some cheer and warm memories. Cook with your kids and prepare for a wonderful time. Here are some benefits of cooking with your kids:

Allowing your kids to help with the cooking gives them a strong sense of contributing to the family’s well being. Cooking is an important daily activity that provides nourishment to the family. When kids help with this activity they feel important and needed.

Cooking helps sharpen their reading skills and ability to follow directions. Find an easy to follow recipe or modify an existing recipe and read along with your child. Point out new words, phrases and use the opportunity to start a conversation with your child.

Cooking explores creativity and imagination. Don’t be afraid to veer from a recipe. Cooking requires thought and improvisation. Allow your child to think of yummy ingredients to add to a recipe. Let your child’s imagination reign in the kitchen.

For more information visit www.oncekids.com and explore Fujimini Island.

Join the ONCEKids family for the holidays!

Are you following ONCEKids on Twitter?
Have you 'liked' us on Facebook?

Join the family.  We're fun and friendly!

Holiday Cooking with your Kids

The holidays are right around the corner and kids are excited about sweets, parties and ribbon wrapped gifts. Want a great holiday activity with your child that triggers thinking and encourages reading? Try cooking with your kids. Here are some great benefits of cooking with your children.

Cooking helps children learn about food or nutrition. Even if you are making cookies kids can learn a great deal about the benefits of good food. By teaching kids to cook you are instilling a respect for food that will have lasting benefits through adulthood.

Cooking can help children gain self-confidence. Cooking is a task and like any task a successful completion can create boost in esteem and pride. Let your child help with holiday dinners and make them feel great about themselves.

Cooking carves out time to bond with your child. Cooking with your child creates warm memories that they will cherish for many years to come. Pull out those recipes and the aprons and set to work building a wonderful experience for you and your child.

For more family ideas, please visit: www.ONCEKids.com

Great Tips to help a Child Learn to Read

Teaching a child to read and write is not an easy feat. A great way to facilitate fluency is to get kids reading. Here are some tips for teachers and parents to encourage reading.

Tips for Teachers and Parents:

One way to get kids reading is to talk to them. Frequent communication with kids gets them hooked on words. Talking to kids guarantees great language skills.

Read to children. Make sure that you carve out a time each day to read to your kids. Being read to is a pleasure and it will ensure that kids find joy in reading.

Make sure you read books you love and tell your kids how much you love them. If you derive pleasure from a book chances are that a kid will as well.

Marvel over words. Do you have a favorite word? Is there a word you like to use often? Share your favorite words with kids. This will encourage them to become fascinated with language.

Don’t forget the library. Make library dates with your kids. Teach them that books are to be respected and cherished.

Want a great book to share with your child? Try the Fujimini Island Adventure Series to give the timeless gift of reading for your child.