Science is everywhere. It’s in everything we do, everything we see. And yes, everything we read. Books offer a delightful opportunity to talk about science, both through their illustrations and their text. We just need to know a few things to look for and a few questions to ask. Today we’ll find out how to think like a scientist, and how to teach our kids to do the same.I invited two professors from St. Michael’s College to teach us all about cross-cutting scientific concepts within picture books. Dr. Valerie Bang-Jensen is the Department Chair and Professor of Education at St. Michael’s College in Vermont. She’s an expert in children’s literature and literacy. Dr. Mark Lubkowitz is a molecular biologist and the Chair and Professor of Biology at St. Michael’s.In this episode, you’ll hear:What it means to “think like a scientist”How to find scientific concepts in every book you readHow to use cross-cutting concepts to teach young scientists of all agesFind the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/177/. To join us for the "Reading as Refreshment" Retreat on 1/31-2/1, sign up at circlewithsarah.com!

Is homeschooling with dyslexia a good idea? Can dyslexic students thrive, even if the parents aren’t specialists (or even certified teachers)?Let’s be clear: absolutely, yes. You can homeschool your dyslexic kids, and you’ll do a darn good job of it, too. Today on the podcast, Marianne Sunderland from Homeschooling with Dyslexia is back to talk about the nitty gritty details of teaching children who learn differently. Marianne has homeschooled eight kids (seven are dyslexic). In this episode, she gives us the low-down on teaching dyslexic kids at home, which resources to use, and when to ask for help. In this episode, you’ll hear:How to teach dyslexic children Why Orton-Gillingham works to teach dyslexic kids how to readWhether or not to get your child tested and officially diagnosed Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/176/. To join us for the "Reading as Refreshment" Retreat on 1/31-2/1, sign up at circlewithsarah.com!

Is my child dyslexic? And if so, what should I do about it? It’s one of the things we’re asked about most here at Read-Aloud Revival, and no wonder. When our kids struggle to learn to read, we worry. Dyslexia is extremely common, and is very often misunderstood. Today, we’re going to talk about the signs of dyslexia, and what to do if you think your child may be dyslexic.If you’ve ever wondered whether your child is a “late bloomer” or might be struggling with a learning difference, you’re in the right place.Marianne Sunderland from Homeschooling with Dyslexia is here to give us the lowdown.In this episode, you’ll hear:Does my child have dyslexia? Here’s how to know…What we get wrong about dyslexia Which reading curriculum is best for dyslexic learners Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/175/. To join us for the "Reading as Refreshment" Retreat on 1/31-2/1, sign up at circlewithsarah.com!

Every year, the RAR team gathers to watch the American Library Association (ALA) Youth Media Awards. Once, we went in person (!) but the past two years, we’ve watched together from home and texted each other like mad the whole time.The awards have a way of bringing out BIG feelings. These are basically the Oscars for children’s books, and as you’ll hear, we have a few Opinions (with a capital O), here at RAR. Ahem. 😇Today we’re sharing:Some stand-out winners from the 2021 ALA Awards Which books we put on hold at the library as the awards were happeningJust a couple of books we think should have been honored. Ahem. 😉Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/174/. To join us for the "Reading as Refreshment" Retreat on 1/31-2/1, sign up at circlewithsarah.com!

Ready to dive into a little brain science? Today, we’re discovering what happens in your child’s brain when you read aloud.This is probably not a surprise, but… A LOT is happening. Dr. John Hutton of the Reading and Literacy Center at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital is joining me to break this down. I love how he puts it in the beginning of this episode: that scientists are using fancy methods to verify what we already know – that reading aloud is good for our kids.Want to know what happens in your child’s brain when you read aloud? You’re in the right place.In this episode, you'll hear:how the brain actually readsthe immense value of dialogic reading (don’t worry – you’re already doing this!)how reading aloud “primes” the brain for reading independentlyFind the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/173/. To join us for the "Reading as Refreshment" Retreat on 1/31-2/1, sign up at circlewithsarah.com!

Learning to read can be hard. And when our kids are still learning to read fluently and well, helping them fall in love with books can feel impossible.But it doesn’t have to be that way. In today’s episode, I’m going to show you how to help your kids fall in love with stories, and tell you why it will help them more to keep reading aloud than to cram in another long phonics lesson.In this episode, you'll hear:a reminder that learning to read is a little like climbing a mountain! ⛰️the key to getting our kids reading (hint: it’s NOT endless phonics practice)how to become a book match-maker for your childFind the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/172/. To join us for the "Reading as Refreshment" Retreat on 1/31-2/1, sign up at circlewithsarah.com!

The Bard. He can be a little intimidating, right? If you’ve ever wondered how to introduce your kids to Shakespeare, you are in a for a treat with this podcast episode.Many of us met Shakespeare in a way that didn’t set us up to love him or even understand him. But today, I’m joined by Ken Ludwig, award-winning playwright and author of How to Teach Your Children Shakespeare – my very favorite resource for doing just that!In this episode, you'll hear:Why we should make Shakespeare a part of our curriculum How to get over the intimidation factor, once and for allExactly how and where to start teaching your kids Shakespeare (I promise, it’s easier than you think!)Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/171/. To join us for the "Reading as Refreshment" Retreat on 1/31-2/1, sign up at circlewithsarah.com!

Do you ever feel lost when it comes to how to read a wordless book?I’m convinced that some of the very best picture books being published today are wordless. They invite us to slow down, predict what will come next, make connections, and linger over a good story, well-told. Today I’m excited to share some of the best ones with you, as well as a simple guide for how to read them.In this episode, you’ll hear:why wordless books are worth our timehow to read a wordless books (with tips for what to say as you turn the pages)just a few favorites 😉Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/170/. To join us for the "Reading as Refreshment" Retreat on 1/31-2/1, sign up at circlewithsarah.com!

Here at RAR, we can’t think of a better way to kick off a new year than to do it with books. That’s why we kick off every January with a challenge for your kids–to help them start their new year reading and reading and reading some more… and falling a little more in love with books in the process!Today we’re sharing all the details of this year’s Read-Aloud Challenge. I’ll answer your questions, let you know how it works, which books “count,” (spoiler alert: you’re the boss!), and what to do if your kids get frustrated along the way.We’re starting this challenge in January, but you can start it at any time! If you want your kids to read aloud for 25 days and fall more in love with books (and each other) in the process, you’re in the right place.Ready to join us?In this episode, you’ll hear:how the challenge will help your family kick off a great reading year and reset your rhythmsetting your kiddos up for challenge success (even pre-readers!)answers to your questions about the challenge including what counts and who counts!Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/169/. To join us for the "Reading as Refreshment" Retreat on 1/31-2/1, sign up at circlewithsarah.com!

Welcome to a very special Christmas episode of Read-Aloud Revival, featuring three audio Christmas stories from one of our very favorite storytellers: Jim Weiss.In this episode, 3 audio Christmas stories:The Nativity StoryThe Gift of the MagiThe NutcrackerFind the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/168/. To join us for the "Reading as Refreshment" Retreat on 1/31-2/1, sign up at circlewithsarah.com!