Sing into Reading: the Blog
Little ones love literacy.
Music is magic!
Stellaluna
Jenni is back! Jennifer Miller visited our Kindergarten Club. She shared a "Five Little Pumpkins" counting rhyme with us and read Stellaluna, by Janell Cannon.
Thank you, Jenni!
Keep singing,
Risa
Jenni reads Zin! Zin! Zin! a Violin by Lloyd Moss, Illustrated by Marjorie Priceman
Jennifer Miller, a talented minister and teacher, read to us. Jenni is a "rockin reader!"
I know you will enjoy her reading of Zin! Zin! Zin! a Violin by Lloyd Moss, Illustrated by Marjorie Priceman.
Keep singing,
Risa
Someday Soon Jar
How to make a "Someday Soon jar:"
- Take a jar and write "Someday Soon" on it.
- Whenever you think of something you want to do someday soon that you can't do right now, write it on a piece of paper and put it in the jar.
- Someday soon, when you are able to do all these things, enjoy taking out your papers, reading your ideas, and doing all those fun things!
- I want to thank Jewish Federation of Toledo for my "Someday Soon jar."
Keep singing,
Risa
Write Every Day
Write every day.
Happy World Literacy Day!
Keep singing,
Risa
Stories of Overcoming Obstacles
This blog is just for the grown ups.
We are dealing with a lot of changes right now. We can prepare our children and ourselves with stories of triumph and overcoming obstacles.
Keep singing,
Risa
Telling Small Moment Stories
Telling stories is how we contextualize and make sense of our world.
Last week, I talked about the importance of telling fairy tales and folk tales. I referenced Bruno Bettleheim's Uses of Enchantment. Going through difficult scenarios and emotions in stories prepares us to go through them in real life.
Today I share a small moment story with you from my childhood, "All Sandy."
Tell your small moment stories. Tell stories to your little ones about when you were little.
Keep singing,
Risa
Folk Tales and Fairy Tales
In this blog, I talk about how important it is - not just to read stories to our children - but also to tell them. Stories help us make sense of the world, and boost our emotional intelligence. In particular, fairy tales and folk tales teach us coping skills and prepare us for difficult emotions and situations in life.
After talking about folk tales, I tell one, and sing it.
I mentioned story startes and closers. You can find a great list of story starters HERE, and story closers HERE.
Keep telling stories.
Keep singing,
Risa
Sing Every Day
"I sing every day of my life.
I hope you do too."
Keep singing,
Risa
Author
Risa Beth Cohen, M.S.Ed.
Author
Risa Beth Cohen, M.S.Ed. is an educator, singer/songwriter, and storyteller. She works with people of all ages and abilities, leading music circles and storytelling workshops. As the Founder and Creative Director of Sing into Reading, Risa is passionate about teaching literacy through music and movement. Risa holds a B.F.A. in acting from Tisch School of the Arts at New York University, and an M.S.Ed. in Early Childhood/Elementary Education from Bank Street College. In 2014, she was the Featured Teller at “Tellebration” in Toledo, Ohio. Students of all ages and abilities enjoy her music circles and storytelling workshops. In addition to teaching children, Risa is a sought-after speaker at edu-events of all sorts. Risa is an approved CKC (Core Knowledge & Competencies) Instructor, and Sing into Reading is an approved training organization recognized by the Ohio Professional Registry of the Ohio Child Care Resource and Referral Association (OCCRRA). She has two OCCRRA-approved workshops, “Teaching Literacy Through Music and Movement,” and “Songs for a Peaceful Learning Environment.” She has taught educators and families at schools, and has spoken at conferences in many countries, including Egypt, Australia, England, and South Korea. Risa and her program, Sing into Reading, have been featured on WTOL Channel 11, NBC channel 24, 13abc, and the Toledo Blade. Risa has been called a literacy teacher “in disguise.” Her students think they just make music and have fun – and they do!
