Kidz Literature

President's Day Lesson and Activities: Read Nobel Prize Laureates

2012-02-10T19:13:00.001-05:00

Several American presidents have become Nobel Prize winners. Since President Barack Obama won the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize, Americans have become more focused on the Nobel prizes. Here are lesson plans for reading 'around the world' with Nobel Prize for Literature Laureates. In middle school and especially in high school, use these lessons for world literature, history, world religions and world cultures classes. These lessons are perfect for President's Day. Read more at Read Around the World with Nobel Prize for Literature Laureates

Free Printable Chronicles of Narnia Coloring Pages and Activities

2012-01-30T23:27:00.001-05:00

C.S. Lewis wrote the seven Chronicles of Narnia during WWII. I read the books first at about ten years old. They are fascinating stories. I particularly loved the names for characters and the solemnity and grandeur of Cair Paravel and the honor of Aslan. The Chronicles of Narnia's first book to movie The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe was wildly successful and the secondPrince Caspian enjoys equal success. If you loved the Narnia books and movies, here are links for coloring pages to continue your Narnia fantasy and adventure. I've included some other coloring pages featuring nicely drawn images of the mythical creatures featured in The Chronicles of Narnia and also in Harry Potter. Read more at: Free Printable Chronicles of Narnia Coloring Pages and Activities

Best Literature for Chinese New Year, Asian Culture -- Grades 5-12

2012-01-10T00:26:00.001-05:00

Best Books for Chinese New Year, Oriental Culture -- Upper Elementary, Middle School High School Students Chinese New Year celebrates the culture of the Orient. This year CNY is the Year of the Dragon and is celebrated on Jan. 23. What better way to explore oriental culture in your classroom than with literature? Here is a collection of childrens' books of Asian and Chinese culture, traditions, history and wisdom for parents, teachers and homeschoolers. Recommended ages are 10 and up. Read on...

Must-See Christmas Holiday Themed Movies in All Genres

2011-12-01T20:37:00.001-05:00

Must-See Christmas Holiday Themed Movies in All Genres Christmas movies and holidays classic films are a huge part of our holiday festivities. There are several movies that I have to see each year or it won't feel like Christmas. Here is that quintessential list of holiday classics. There's a debate in the movie viewing world between two Christmas movie megaliths: Frank Capra's "It's a Wonderful Life" and "Miracle on 34th Street." Now call me un-American or Grinchy, but I don't get the thrill of "Miracle on 34th Street", not the 1947 with Maureen O'Hara or the 1995 with Sir Richard Attenborough. "It's a Wonderful Life" then, gets my vote of the two films. However for absolute best all-around, must holiday film my favorite is Charles Dickens "A Christmas Carol" 1984 with George C. Scott). The soundtrack alone should be enjoyed at least once every holiday season. Since the writing of the article, I rediscovered "Night of the Meek," in which Art Carney plays a drunken, compassionate Santa Claus. I highly recommend it. Here's a link to a more modern version. "A Homecoming Story" (The Waltons) with Patricia Neal, is beautiful, too. To finish reading this article, click here.

Free Printable Cut and Color Leveled Reader Booklets

2011-11-15T11:02:00.002-05:00

Free Printable Cut and Color Leveled Reader Booklets Your new reader has just mastered her phonics lessons; she's reading with some fluency. But summer vacation is here. She won't have access to classroom readers. Do you buy a set of classroom readers to keep up her momentum? You can but you don't need to; there are free printable reading, phonics, spelling, vocabulary and grade leveled readers right here on the internet. These vocabulary-boosting books will also build phonics, spelling and fluency skills, in a fun, hands-on way. Click here...

Literature-Based Movies for World War One History

2011-11-09T15:06:00.000-05:00

Literature-Based Movies for World War One History Classes World War One is probably the most overlooked, least explored war in American history classes. Europeans know more about WWI because many countries such as France, England and Germany were involved in conflict for a longer period of time. Ironically most historians agree that World War One, called then the Great War, and ' the war to end all wars' was the catalyst for WWII. Read more...

Vampire, Horror Fiction Books for Twilight, Eclipse Lovers

2011-10-25T21:28:00.001-04:00

Best Young Adult Vampire Fiction Books for Twilight and Eclipse Lovers Stephanie Meyer's didn't invent vampire romance fiction with her Twilight book series. Modern vampire fiction has enjoyed a cult following for several decades now. For fans of vampire fiction who've consumed Twilight looking for fresh reads, look here. Here are vampire books you can sink your teeth into. Vampire Plagues: Book One- London, 1850, Book Two- Paris, 1850, Book Three- Mexico 1850. History-mystery lovers will devour Sebastian Rooke's trilogy, set in the Victorian era. Middle School and up. Click for more recommendations...

Maurice Sendak, Shel Silverstein Publish Books -- One Controversial, One Posthumous

2011-10-13T19:44:00.002-04:00

Maurice Sendak, Shel Silverstein Publish Books Two beloved children's authors, Maurice Sendak ("Where the Wild Things Are") and Shel Silverstein ("The Giving Tree") have new books out. Silverstein's "Every Thing on It" was published posthumously, while Sendak's "Bumble-Ardy" is raising hair and hackles. Silverstein died in 1999. He had a colorful history and raised a few eyebrows. He is as well-known for his drawings as he is for poetry. After joining the armed services and serving in the Korean War, Silverstein became a cartoon illustrator for "Playboy" magazine. Silverstein was a folk singer and guitarist. He wrote what would become Johnny Cash's only silly song: "A Boy Named Sue." Read more.

Banned Books Week- Check out these Children's, Teen Authors and Literature

2011-09-29T19:11:00.001-04:00

Most Banned Books? Authors of Teen, Children's Literature This week, Sept. 24 to Oct.1, celebrates the 30th anniversary of the ALA Banned Book Week. BBW celebrates authors who broke convention to write books about touchy subjects. Here are stats about most oft-censored children and teen authors and literature. Would you believe that most of these are required reading in most high schools? Most of these statistics hold true for adult literature as well. Read on...

Henry Winkler Awarded OBE for Services to Dyslexic Children - "Hank Zipzer" Books

2011-09-19T17:06:00.001-04:00

Henry Winkler Awarded OBE for Services to Dyslexic Children Every girl loves the Fonz, even Queen Elizabeth II, it seems. The Queen awarded Henry Winkler (aka Arthur Fonzarelli of "Happy Days") the Most Excellent OBE (knighthood). Winkler was honored for services to dyslexic and special needs children. Notable is Winkler's "Hank Zipzer" kids book series. Read more...

Free Printable Plant Science Books and Activities for Fall Nature Unit

2011-09-05T20:10:00.003-04:00

Cross-Curricular, Hands-on Plant Science Unit This article is part of a series of six articles comprising six lessons in a science unit on plants. It has applications and adaptations for grades K-10 and addresses biology, math, social studies, writing (research and creative writing), literature, art, music and physical activities. The lessons are interactive and multisensory. You'll find lessons, printables, games, projects, web resources and literature connections. This article covers lesson two; we will explore the seeds of the plant. As always I'll begin with unit scope and sequence.

Free Printable Cut and Paste Medieval Castle Activities - Associated Content from Yahoo! - associatedcontent.com

2011-07-22T18:33:00.001-04:00

Free Printable Castles: Cut and Paste Activities Cut and paste activities make ideal educational tools. Students, need a project to submit for a reading response, literature, history or social studies assignment? If you teacher allows it, why not make a model or 3D diorama? Here is a complete castle model that you could make for an assignment. Use for literature response if you are reading about about fantasy, medieval life, fairy tales, Shakespeare. Maybe you'll think of another application. Click here

Best War History Books and Movies for Memorial Day

2011-05-25T16:29:00.002-04:00

Best War History Movies for Memorial Day Memorial Day, the last Monday in May was designated to remember our beloved dead and especially to honor those killed in war or in the line of duty. Not sure how to commemorate Memorial Day? Why not watch one of these movies? Most of these films are based on literature connections. Read more...

Free Printable City of Ember Book Series Activities - Associated Content from Yahoo! - associatedcontent.com

2011-03-22T23:15:00.002-04:00

Free Printable City of Ember Book Series Activities
The "City of Ember" is a book series by Jeanne DuPrau that is used in many middle school classes. The books were made into a cool movie in 2008. Here are free printables from the book and movie.

Free Printable Shel Silverstein Activities

2011-03-22T23:08:00.003-04:00

Free Printable Shel Silverstein Activities

Shel Silverstein gave us "The Giving Tree," "A Light in the Attic," "Where the Sidewalk Ends," "Runny Babbit" and many poems and cute stories. Here are free printable activities from Shel Silverstein. Read more...

Free Printable Kevin Henkes Activities

2011-03-22T23:04:00.002-04:00

Free Printable Kevin Henkes Activities
Kevin Henkes writes adorable childrens stories: "Kitten's Full Moon", "Lilly's Plastic Purse", "Owen", "Wemberly Worried" and more. Here are free printable crafts, lessons, activities and coloring pages from Kevin Henkes books.

Free Printable Series of Unfortunate Events Activities

2011-03-22T22:59:00.002-04:00

Free Printable Series of Unfortunate Events Activities - Associated Content from Yahoo! - associatedcontent.com
Activities from the book series and movie with Jim Carrey. Lemony Snicket is a cool author. In the early days, no one knew just who Lemony Snicket was (Daniel Handler). That added to the fun. These books are must-reads for young literati!

Free Printable Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs Activities

2011-03-22T22:57:00.002-04:00

Free Printable Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs Activities
Before the cute new movie, there was a book; not a lot like the film, but also cute, nevertheless. Here are free printable coloring pages from book and movie.

Free Dr. Seuss Reading Month Activities

2011-03-14T15:43:00.000-04:00

From the Jungle of Nool to the top of Mt. Crumpet, Dr. Seuss offers wisdom in verse, common sense in a spoonful of fun. March ushers in Dr. Seuss's birthday, Read Across America and National Reading Month. I know we're a good way into National Reading Month, but hey, it's never to late to celebrate reading! Here are free activities to do that. Read more

Free Printable Eric Carle "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" Activities

2011-02-28T20:27:00.000-05:00

Eric Carle is a beloved childrens' illustrator and author of dozens of books about insects and animals. Here are free printable cut and paste crafts, games, activities, lessons, puzzles and coloring pages from Eric Carle's best-loved book "The Very Hungry Caterpillar". Click here...

Stieg Larsson "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" Book to Movie 2011 Adaptation

2011-02-07T16:27:00.000-05:00

Stieg Larsson is a man whom controversy follows, even after death. Larsson is the Swedish author of the Lisbeth Salander series "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo" (2005), "The Girl Who Played with

Fire" (2006) and the "The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest", called collectively "The Millennium Trilogy". How will Hollywood handle Stieg Larsson's 2011 "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo" book to movie? Read on...

Books, Literature and Movies for Black History Month

2011-01-24T19:27:00.000-05:00

During Black History month we need not only to explore the tragedies of Black American struggles, but celebrate the contributions to our society. Here are a list of literature based movies to explore. I've listed the movie, the companion book, biography or historical source. If the title of the book is the same as the film, I've only noted the author's name. This article is meant to be a tribute to the artistic achievement of the actors and performers who have portrayed these roles so beautifully over the years. To an extent, this is a timeline as well. Read more...

Free Printable 'Little House on the Prairie' Book Series Lessons and Activities

2010-12-10T13:36:00.000-05:00

When I was a child, every girl read and cherished Laura Ingalls Wilder and her Little House on the Prairie Series. We loved the TV series, too. Now you can bring early American history into yoursocial studies lessons with free activities from Laura Ingalls Wilder. Here's how...

Jon Scieszka's 'Science Verse' and 'Math Curse' Make Math and Science Approachable

2010-11-30T16:16:00.000-05:00

On a never-ending quest for science and math lesson plans that appeal to kids and make content user-friendly, the books of Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith meet task. 'Science Verse', 'Math Curse' and

'Squids will be Squids' combine learning and fun. Read on...

'Sir Cumference' Books for Math and Geometry

2010-11-11T21:22:00.000-05:00

Math and Geometry Lessons from 'Sir Cumference' Books by Cindy Neuschwander
Cindy Neuschwander writes math math books for children. With Wayne Geehan illustrating, Neuschwander has given us books about Sir Cumference, Lady Di of Ameter and Radius their son who solve math and geometry puzzles and medieval mysteries.
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