Guest Columnist, Brenda
Weeaks
The
Between the Lions Book for Parents, Between the Lion
book series
The
Between the Lions Book for Parents
By Linda K. Rath, Ed.D., and Lousie Kennedy
Hardcover
256 pages
HarperResource
January 6, 2004
ISBN: 0060510277
Nonfiction / How to / Education
Buy
it at Amazon
Read
an Excerpt
Reviewed
by Brenda Weeaks, MyShelf.com
There
are three classic educational children's shows on PBS: Mr. Rogers’
Neighborhood teaches social behavior and self acceptance; Sesame
Street teaches ABCs, how to count, and life's differences; and now,
the new kid on the block, Between the Lions, teaches reading. Like
the first two, Between The Lions is entertaining as well as informative.
In
fact, it’s such a hit, that the creators of BTL have created
a companion book for parents. It has everything one needs to help
a child discover, learn, and enjoy reading, beginning with preschool
and ending with third grade.
Be
sure to read the Foreward by Christopher Cerf,
who explains how BTL was created and what the creators went through
to get the show approved. Acknowledgements are
also important. They give credit to all who had a helping hand bringing
BTL to life and getting it on the air, WGBH being at the top of
the list. Another important section to read is “How
to Use the Book.” At first glance, this may seem
almost too technical, but don’t worry, the reasons will eventually
become clear.
The
authors’ believe “children learn to read when they receive
both instructions in reading skills and introduction to the value
of understanding what they read.” Their approach, in both
the show and the book, is “practical, comprehensive, and fun.”
In
the series, the writers use wonderful, lively characters to keep
the young ones' attention. In the book, the writers use various
methods to keep the parents reading. The chapters are marked by
grades and throughout the book are patterned pages with vital information
and explanations about reading, writing, and sounding out words.
The patterned pages make for quick access.
The
book gives explanations of the five key areas of reading: phonemic
awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. There
are grade-by-grade guides for preschool through third grade, as
well as information on reading and learning disabilities; also lists
of resources, including books and web sites and a glossary. It's
the most comprehensive companion book I have ever seen.
Should
you come across The Between the Lions Book for Parents in
the bookstore, just glance through it and you will see why the show
and the book have received rave reviews. Parents, be sure to do
your child's preschool or elementary teacher a favor and bring this
book to their attention.
Brenda Weeaks
Copyright, MyShelf.com
Inside
information:
The
Lion Family
Theo the Dad
and Cleo the
mom
Lionel,age seven
Leona, age four
Others in the library are:
Click the Mouse.
Barnaby B. Busterfield III.
Walter the Clay Pigeon.
Heath the Thesaurus.
Information Hen.
Dr. Nigwhite.
Dr. Word Heimer.
Martha Reader and the Vowelles.
Fred.
Gawain's word (two knights).
Arty Smarty Pants and Smarmy Marmy.
Chicken Jane.
Cliff Hanger.
Long Rearranger
Book
CONTENTS
What is Reading?
The BETWEEN THE LIONS Curriculum
- Emergent Literacy:
Reading and Writing for Preschoolers
- Activities for
Preschoolers
- Thirty Really
Good Books for Preschoolers
- Experimental Literacy:
Reading and Writing for Kindergartners
- Activities for
Kindergartners
- Thirty Really
Good Books for Kindergartners
- Independent Literacy:
Reading and Writing for First-graders
- Activities for
First-graders
- Thirty Really
Good Books for First-graders
- Skillful Literacy:
Reading and Writing for Second-Graders
- Activities for
Second-Graders
- Thirty Really
Good Books for Second-Graders
- Fluent Literacy:
Reading and Writing for Third-Graders
- Activities for
Third-Graders
- Thirty Really
Good Books for Third-Graders
- If Your Child is
Struggling
Part III
Activities for All Ages
Resources
Glossary
Notes
Index
Website
Printable
bookmarks
Between
the Lion book series
click on the title to see it at Amazon
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