Before you head out, make up a long list of various things your children are likely to see from the car (or bus or train) window. For example: a license plate beginning with the letter C, an old tire, a tow truck, an overpass, a city that is named after a woman, a McDonalds restaurant, a silo, and so on.

Give the children the long list to work on together or divide up the list so that each child is looking for different items. Or let them make up lists for each other.

For children who can’t yet read, make a picture list by cutting out magazine pictures of signs and other common roadside attractions, like cows and pay telephones. Glue the cutouts on a piece of paper.

The children cross items of their lists or circle the pictured objects as they find them. If they wish, they can call out when they see something so the other players can corroborate. Let the winner of the backseat scavenger hunt be the first one out of the car when you stop to stretch your legs, or the one who gets to ride in the front seat for a while.

From: Reading is Fundamental

Post from: Blisstree

Backseat Scavenger Hunt: Learn the Alphabet!

To enter, simply visit the Read with Kids Challenge web page by May 31st, register and log the number of minutes you spend reading with a child.  Winners will be chosen randomly from the entries for the following prizes:

• Grand Prize: 4 day/3 night trip for four people to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida
• First Runner-Up: $1500 US Airways gift card valid for travel anywhere US Airways flies
• Second Runner-Up: $500 US Airways gift card valid for travel anywhere US Airways flies

You can follow the link at the top of the Read with Kids Challenge web page to read the official rules.

Good luck!

Image: RIF.org

Post from: Blisstree

Win a Trip to Walt Disney World from the Read with Kids Challenge

The RIF.org website provides a variety of resources for parents and activities for children such as:

• A day-by-day children’s activity calendar for each day of the week
• Visitors can send a children’s art e-card to spread the joy of reading
• Explore RIF’s literacy activities, including Reading Is Fun bingo.

RIF also provides parents with reading tips, including how to:

• Help children start a reading journal
• Find a fun book series for children to read
• Relate what parents are reading to outdoor activities
• Be a reading role-model and talk about books

Take some time during Reading is Fun Week to read with your child!

Image: RIF.org

Post from: Blisstree

Celebrate Reading is Fun Week – May 12-18, 2008

So I won’t bore you with reasons that I think that the airline has dug its own hole when it comes to miserable on time performance, lousy customer service and the worst food that I have ever experienced on an airplane.

But on my trip to the UK, I did notice that US Airways did make one nod in favor of being more child-friendly:  on board children’s books.  But don’t get excited, it’s only a temporary promotion.  US Airways has paired with Reading is Fundamental to provide 70,000 books to the 22,000 served by RIF programs.  As part of the publicity for the campaign, the airline will provide a complimentary children’s book for every US Airways passenger on domestic flights during the month of March (never mind that we were on an international flight).

Post from: Blisstree

US Airways Does One Nice Thing

President Bush’s budget eliminated funding for the Reading Is Fundamental book distribution program. Founded in 1966, Reading Is Fundamental is the oldest and largest children’s and family nonprofit literacy organization in the United States. The organization’s priority is reaching underserved children from birth to age 8. The organization provides 4.5 million children with 16 million new, free books and literacy resources each year. Yep, almost 5 million children.

In response, the organization is mounting a campaign to save funding. Your help is needed. To find out how to contact your senator and ask for Congressional support, click here.

To date, 19 senators and 67 state representatives have signed a Dear Colleague letter in support of the organization. You can find out whether your Congressional leaders have signed on by checking this list.

Post from: Blisstree

President Bush decides that perhaps reading isn’t fundamental