Discover new, practical methods for teaching literacy skills in your early childhood classroom. Has teaching early literacy skills become a stumbling block to getting your preschool students kindergarten ready? Break out of the tired “letter of the week” routine and learn how to transform your lessons with fun and effective techniques. Teach Smarter: Literacy Strategies for Early Childhood Teachers will equip teachers to infuse every aspect of their teaching with exciting hands-on literacy teaching methods that engage students and help them build authentic connections with books, so that 100% of their students will have a strong literacy foundation and will be fully prepared for success in kindergarten and beyond. Respected author Vanessa Levin, veteran early childhood educator and author of the “Pre-K Pages” blog, breaks down the research and translates it into realistic, actionable steps you can take to improve your teaching. Features specific examples of teaching techniques and activities that engage students in hands-on, experiential learning during circle time, centers, and small groups. Offers a simple, four-step system for teaching literacy skills, based on the foundational principles of early literacy teaching Demonstrates how to build your confidence in your ability to get 100% of your students ready for kindergarten, long before the end of the school year Understand the problems with traditional literacy teaching and identify gaps in your current teaching practice with this valuable resource.

Turn circle time into learning time with Circle Time Activities. These activities foster social and emotional development and develop basic math, problem solving, language, music, movement, and literacy skills. A Concept and Activity Matrix are included to help educators identify, focus, assess, and enhance specific skills of each student. Its 160 pages include hundreds of child-tested and developmentally appropriate group activities.

Leo isn't reading, or writing, or drawing, or even speaking, and his father is concerned. But Leo's mother isn't. She knows her son will do all those things, and more, when he's ready. 'Reassuring for other late bloomers, this book is illustrated with beguiling pictures.' -- Saturday Review.

"From what you look like, to your favorite food, to what makes you mad, glad, or sad, there is no one quite like you! It's incredible but true, so go and be your best you!" --

For use in schools and libraries only. Rhyming text and photographs follow a pumpkin patch as it grows and changes, from seeds to plants to pumpkins ready to harvest, to jack-o'-lanterns and then to seeds again.

Play fetch with Sammy, the golden retriever, as he teaches your child the alphabet! It's time for an alphabet adventure as Sammy, the golden retriever, searches for the alphabet around his favorite place to play fetch, his farm! Determined to find every letter, Sammy encounters his friends doing some silly things, including a cow having a birthday party and some muddy pigs dancing a jig! Your child will have a blast helping Sammy find them all! Sammy supports a love of learning by teaching children speech and cognitive skills in a fun way. The upbeat, rhyming phrases will capture your child's attention, enticing them to read the book over and over again with excitement! "There goes "T" by the squirrel in the tree! It's traveling toward the tortoise whose looking at me!" This sweet, imaginative picture book is targeted for children ages 2-8. This fun-to-read story is the second book of the "Sammy Series" featuring Sammy, the golden retriever, that kids are sure to cherish and learn from. Bonus: Simple games included in the back of the book teach children how letters make words!

In his typically silly and reassuring style, Parr celebrates the many different types of families in this picture book. Full color.