The most enjoyable way to improve your writing skills

“If you don’t have time to read, you don’t have the time (or the tools) to write. Simple as that.” – Stephen King
My best student writers are avid readers.

I first made the connection when a student said she read Jane Austen with her mom at age 5. That student was a strong writer. Subliminally, I had probably known this reading/writing connection for a while, but that student, that class, and that biographical detail brought me to an “ah-ha” moment.

Figuring out the formula for being a good writer—and how to teach the formula to the next generation—has become my passion.

To make this connection, I created a “Favorite Authors” presentation so students could share their favorite works with one another, thereby reinforcing the value of reading. More than a few brag that they “don’t read many books.”

I’ve heard reports on everyone from J.K. Rowling to F. Scott Fitzgerald to Dr. Seuss. But over the years I’ve noticed two things: The broad-ranging readers are also the strongest writers, and most students hate this exercise. What does pleasure reading have to do with writing a news release? They ask.

Recently, a student commented on his experience with my class, asking for “less busy work,” specifically Favorite Authors. I bristled at the feedback.

No surprise, that student struggled with good, clear, clean prose.

I wondered, though—did he have a point? Determined to convince the majority of my students that reading makes them better writers in any media, I looked to some experts:

Improve your writing skills, painlessly. In his new book, “How to Not Write Bad,” journalism professor Ben Yagoda supports the premise that reading matters. After 20 years of grading papers, Yagoda observes that “almost without exception, good writers read widely and frequently.” He further assures his audience that reading is the “best and most painless way to absorb the rules of the language.”

Take advantage of your ability to read. Choreographer, author, and MacArthur genius Twyla Tharp quotes Mark Twain: “The man who does not read has no advantage over the man who cannot read.” In her book “The Creative Habit,” Tharp explores how she uses reading to inform her creative process, for growth and for inspiration. Most important, she reports reading “archeologically”—going from the present sources to earlier and earlier literature as she delves into a new topic.

Land a job. Recently, I asked some former students about how they viewed the connection between reading and good writing. Here’s what one had to say: “I enjoyed that exercise [Favorite Authors]. I feel that it’s a good way for students to learn what their peers are reading and interested in, and it’s a way for students to learn about other authors that maybe they’d never heard of but might enjoy reading. … P.S. I got the internship.”

See? Good readers are good writers. Good writers get hired for internships. I’m convinced. Now, how do I convince my students?

Jill Stewart is a lecturer in the College of Communication at DePaul University in Chicago. She is convinced her reputation as a good-enough writer boosted her PR career. This story first appeared on her blog culpwrit.

How To Find Free eBooks and Audiobooks

Where to Get Free eBooks

Project Gutenberg contains a collection of eBooks that are in the public domain as well as free, self-published works—and with a total of 42,000 books on file, there's plenty to choose from! You can search the catalog or, if you're not sure what you're looking for, start by browsing the site's most popular books. Project Gutenberg offers instructions on how to load their books onto many different devices (though they don't support the Kindle Fire): visit their help page and look for your device to get started.
ManyBooks is similar to Project Gutenberg and contains many of the same public domain books. However, the website is a bit easier on the eyes and contains a number of features to help you discover books, like recommendations and lists of what's most popular each week. For instructions on how to get your books onto your device, visit their help page and click on your device type.
Amazon may be best known for selling books, but they also have a large selection of free books as well. If you use a Kindle eReader, Kindle Fire or the Kindle reader app on your smartphone, tablet or computer, getting books directly from Amazon will be your easiest option. Amazon provides both public domain works and special deals, and if that's not enough, they also recommend a number of other places to find free books (including Project Gutenberg and ManyBooks). And, while not exactly free, if you own a Kindle and have paid to subscribe to Amazon's Prime service, they have a lending library of books, as well. It is stocked with more than 270,000 books, including more than 100 titles that are or have appeared on the New York Times best sellers list and all 7 Harry Potter books.
If you prefer bookseller Barnes & Noble to Amazon, they also offer a selection of free titles. If you own a Nook or use the Nook app to read on your smartphone, tablet or computer, getting your books directly from Barnes & Noble will be your easiest option.
Not enough books? The MobilRead Wiki provides an extensive list of free eBook sources.

How to Check out eBooks From Your Local Library

If you think of the library as an out-of-touch place where paper books are the name of the game, think again: nearly 90% of libraries offer some kind of eBook lending, and yours could be one of them! But just like checking out a physical book, you'll need a library card.
What's available and when it's available will vary depending on your library, so we encourage you to check your local library's website for all the details. But if you're having trouble finding anything you can also search on OverDrive, which provides most libraries with ebook services—just enter your zip code under Library Search to see if your local library participates. To read eBooks from OverDrive, you'll need to download their app (for Windows, Mac, Android, BlackBerry, iPhone, iPad, or Windows Phone), but once you have it and have set up your library information, any books in your library's collection will be easy to access.

If Audiobooks Are More Your Thing

If you'd rather listen than read–a great choice for long commutes–then there are some options for free books in audio format as well. Here are our favorites:
LibriVox provides audio for books in the public domain, read and recorded by a volunteer staff. Search their catalog to find anything you're looking for–you can then download it in MP3 format, which any digital media player should recognize. If you're having trouble, they provide step-by-step instructions on how to download files and how to listen to files.
Project Gutenberg, mentioned earlier, also provides a number of audiobooks, both read by people and read by computer.
If you're an Amazon user, they have a Kindle feature called Whispersync for Voice which allows you to alternate between reading and listening to eBooks purchased from Amazon. If you've downloaded a free book from Amazon that features Whispersync for Voice enabled, you can also download the eBook from Amazon's eBook partner, Audible. And if you like what you hear, you can sign up for a free Audible trial which will give you a free eBook of your choice—and a wider selection than Amazon's free options.
Now you're have all the tools that you need to get great digital books for reading or listening without paying a dime. Happy reading!

 

 

College information

This provides information that might be of interest to you:
http://collegecost.ed.gov/scorecard/index.aspx

On Line Science and Math Games

http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/science.htm

The Long-Term Effects Of Skipping Your Reading Homework

Added by Katie Lepion 2013-01-01

Not every student loves reading, there’s no argument on that. We’ve talked about a lot of resources for learning to read and making reading fun and easy for students, but we haven’t really talked about where that reading fits in to the larger picture of a students’ education.
Though the information in the infographic below isn’t very new (the reference notes 1987), the numbers still hold true. A student who reads 20 minutes per day will read 1,800,000 words by the end of the sixth grade, compared with a student who reads one minute per day, who will read only 8,000 words. The student who reads one minute per day will only read .004% of what the 20 minute reader will read. Think about how much more information the 20 minute reader will have absorbed over time!
I think this lesson is important for adults, too. When you’re not in school anymore and have ‘real life’ responsibilities like working and taking care of a house, spouse, and children, things like reading can fall by the wayside. Even if you’re reading for a short while before bed, think of all that you could learn and absorb in that short time! Even if you’re reading romance novels instead of Classic Literature – that’s ok! Reading is reading! Get lost in a great book, and you’ll remember why you’re encouraging your students and kids to do the same!
(Thanks to the Perry Lecompton School District in Perry, KS, for the infographic!)

 

How to know if your child could benefit from a tutor

There are a variety of tutoring options available for your child. / Courtesy of BrandPoint

Written by

For News-Herald Media

For many parents, slipping grades and missed assignments can be sure signs that their child is in need of help academically.
And whether your child needs assistance to get up to speed with the rest of the class or is looking for help to get ahead on their SATs, there are a variety of tutoring options available.
“Keep the lines of communication open with your child’s school,” said Amanda Bates, an English teacher and coordinator of the Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) program at Rim of the World High School in Lake Arrowhead, Calif. “If your child seems to be struggling, reach out to his/her teacher and have a frank discussion about what you’re seeing at home and what they experience with your child in class to determine the areas your child needs help in and what the best course of action may be.”
“The drop of a single letter grade, diminishing enthusiasm about school or complaints that school is ‘too hard’ can all be signs that your student is dreading a particular class or subject,” said Adriene White, center director for Sylvan Learning-Long Beach. “The issues they are having can be clues that they need help with time management and study skills, test preparation or with a particular academic subject.”
“If your child is spending excessive amounts of time on homework, it could be a sign that he or she doesn’t understand the skill or concept needed to complete that homework,” said Dr. Dominick P. Ferello a professor in the College of Undergraduate Studies at Argosy University, Tampa. “If your child is laboring over words when reading out loud and can’t retell the story they just read in their own words, your child likely needs help with reading.”
“There is a range of tutoring options available to parents,” said Bates. “For some students, there may be a volunteer or specialist at the school who can assist with their needs. For those who may need help outside of the classroom, your child’s school or school district should be able to provide you with a list of private tutors and tutoring centers that can provide more in-depth assistance for your child outside of the school day.”

Best Sites for Designing Holiday Cards

posted by Suzanne Kantra on November 27, 2012

If you're like me, you prefer to create customized holiday greeting cards rather than pick up a stack of generic cards from the drugstore. A custom card says so much more about you — whether it's the personalized message, a picture of the kids or simply the ability to choose your own color and design.
There are plenty of sites that offer high-quality custom cards, for mailing, emailing or, in some cases, both. But a few stand out for offering the best combination of selection, quality and price. These are my picks.

Shutterfly and Tiny Prints

Whether you're interested in one of the many photo-centric designs on Shutterfly or one of the beautiful, stylized cards from the extensive selection on its sister site, Tiny Prints, you'll find the same great value proposition. Cards start at less than $2 a pop, and you can have them mailed out for you for an extra $0.55. Of course that way you won't be able to add a personalized message, so you can also choose to have cards sent to you with your return address on the envelopes (an additional $0.24 per) or order return labels ($0.29 per).

Paperless Post

Paperless Post creates a new level of class for e-cards, with its beautiful virtual stationery, elegant envelopes and animated simulation of opening a "real" card. The site offers a wide selection of cards, including designs you can customize with your own photos or logo. There are a few free designs, which you can also send for free to up to 1,000 recipients. Most designs, though, cost a few coins in Paperless Post's virtual currency — coins cost $0.07 to $0.20, depending on how many you buy.
New for this year are PAPER designs, cards that can be sent electronically and in the mail, so you can mix and match based on your friends' preferences. PAPER cards can be customized like the e-cards. A single card is $4, a box of 10 is $16, a box of 20 is $27 and the savings add up as you buy more cards. There is no option for Paperless Post to send your cards directly to recipients.

Pingg

With one of the largest selection of card designs to choose from, you're bound to find something to your taste on Pingg. Card designers include members of the Pingg community and well-known designers, like Martha Stewart. There are plenty of free cards but the recipient has to view an ad before viewing your card and you'll be limited to 250 recipients. Upgrade to pingg Plus for $10 per month and you can send to up to 2,500 recipients ad-free. Pingg also gives you the option of having your cards printed and sent for $2.50 per card plus postage.