Thanksgiving and Gratitude

Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on the things we have received. We here at See abc's want to express our sincere gratitude for all the blessings we have been given this past year. Each of you are one of them, and we hope that See abc's has been able to bless your lives in some way. That is what we work so hard for; to try to help you to help your child or your student with the daunting task of learning how to read. Also, to help you as parents or teachers, by giving you new ideas to try.

We hope your Thanksgiving was both wonderful and delicious! As for us, Doreese was lucky enough to have two Thanksgiving dinners - one at her mother's with her side of the family, and one later in the day with her neice and her five little kids on her husband's side of the family. Sherry, had a cozy dinner at her house with over half of her children there.

We really can't believe that Thanksgiving has come and gone all ready! Though December is the busiest month of the year, try to squeeze in some reading time each day; knowing that you are going to miss some here and there. But, having set that goal will help.

Doreese and Sherry

Reading Rewards for Progress Made

Wow! I can't believe I'm blogging two days in a row. That's got to be some kind of record for me! But, if what I'm about to tell you is going to be of help right now, you need to know right now!

In your books, you have progress charts to provide incentives and motivation for your children/students. Along the way, they can earn rewards. One fun and different kind of reward would be to do something that is connected with upcoming holidays. They know they will need to hurry and earn that reward or the holiday, along with the reward that comes with it, will be over!

Halloween is around the corner and most communities have some type of fun Halloween activities going. Here in Cache Valley (Northern Utah), we have children's corn mazes and there is an annual "Pumpkin Walk". I recently went to a place near Salt Lake City called "Gardner Village" and this time of year, they have it all decorated with these huge witches doing all kinds of different things. (Ive posted some pictures of a few of them.) Many of these things are free.

If you choose one of these bigger events to be a reward, make sure that it is attainable for your child and work with them to achieve it. If you have other children that you want to take, set some type of goal for them to work on as well. Take some pictures and share with us!

Doreese

Report of UEA Convention

I shared a booth at UEA with a friend as a spur of the moment thing. I only used a 4th of the booth and mostly just was hoping to get some good exposure for "See abc's." My daughter, Joni, made a nice banner for me and a great poster. I took some samplers (I still need to blog about those!). I had free book marks and some "magic fingers" that people could buy separately from the program.

The turnout was quite disappointing compared to other years, but a lot of people took a book mark and many now know what a "magic finger" is! Also, I got to let people know that there is a way to change those hard-to-learn "sight words" into easy-to-learn "phonetic words" through the new invention of "Imletteration"!

Most companies just had the little paper banner that was provided. So, the larger, bright banner I had really caught the eye of those passing by. Hopefully it is registered in their sub-conscience somewhere so if they see it again, they will know they have seen it before!

Doreese

p.s. That black necklace I'm wearing was my big find at the convention. I've been wanting a long, black one, and it was only $5! There were a lot of fun, unique and discounted things there. (I also got my husband's Christmas present!)

UEA, Here I Come!!!

Hi everyone,

I am going to share a booth with a friend at the UEA convention in Salt Lake City, Utah. We will be at booth 624. If you are planning on going to UEA, come and see me. It will be Thur., Oct. 14 and Fri., Oct. 15.

Wish me luck. I will return and report!!!

Doreese

Glowing Parent Teacher Conferences for "See abc's" Kids

Just had to tell you about two children who have been using "See abc's". They both just started Kindergarten and had their Parent Teacher Conferences this week. One child's teacher said she was doing so well in reading that she could be bumped up two levels! At a different school, the other child's teacher said he was doing so well in reading that she was going to get him started on AR reading (an advanced program). She said that they don't normally do that until the middle of the year! Way to go kids and your moms!!!

I know a lot of parents have the notion that if their child learns how to read before school, he/she will be too bored when they start school. All the kids I know of that have used "See abc's" before school have never been bored, because their teachers know their abilities and put them on books that keep them challenged and growing. Also, with these kids, they have developed a deeper love of reading because they can read more advanced books at an earlier age; books which are a lot more fun and interesting!

Doreese

Reading and Writing Suggestion Box

I was thinking today that each parent who goes through the process of teaching their child how to read or how to write comes upon their own little golden nuggets of ideas that either have helped you to help your child improve, helped you deal with working with your child better, have come across ways to add fun to the process, etc. Or, you have come across things that make you think, "I'll never approach it this way again!" Sharing these golden nuggets with each other will help all of us to have a better experience, as well as the children we work with. So, I'm suggesting a "See abc's Suggestion Box." Any suggestions are welcome - not just using "See abc's."

I'll start with a suggestion for encouraging your children to read when they don't want to. You've heard the old adage, "Money Talks." Well, two of my students were balking at reading. One little girl who just turned four, only wanted to read four words a day from the blending book. She reads these beginning words very well, but in her mind, she thinks it is too hard. So, I filled my pocket with pennies and nickels and told her for each word she read, she would earn a penny. Well, she read 15 words with no complaint at all! We discussed money and she chose to exchange five of her pennies for a nickel. My other student, a five-year old who has just began Kindergarten, has had trouble concentrating on reading the sentences in the "Imletteration!" book. I told her for every sentence that she read and followed along with her finger, she would earn a penny. She earned 10 pennies, and stayed much more focused on what she was doing! She too, exchanged five for a nickle. Both of these children were very excited to add their coins to their "Piggy Banks." With children this young, a penny is a huge deal and it is rewarding for them to be able to earn it.

If you have a "suggestion" you would like to share, or a "caution" to give us, go to our "Contact Us" box on our website and let us know. On occasion we will share them here on our blog.

Here at the end of September, school is well under way. I hope all is going well!

Doreese

"Calling All Grandmas!"

This post is directed towards grandmas. And, speaking of grandmas, I became a grandma again three weeks ago! There is nothing in this world like a precious, little newborn! One more child for me to help bring along the road of reading!

I've really had a lot of fun teaching my grandkids how to read, and they have loved doing it with me. Reading is our special time together. My daughters are very capable of teaching their own kids, but they haven't complained about me helping them out when I can!

I know kids aren't always cooperative little angels when it comes time to read with mom. That is when I would suggest enlisting the help of a grandma or grandma figure. Kids will do most things better for grandparents. If you don't have a grandparent nearby, maybe an elderly neighbor would enjoy helping to teach your child their alphabet. It would be good for them as well. Most of my students have just worked with their mothers as far as I know, and done great. But, with all the fun I have teaching my grandkids, I think other grandma's would love it too, and it can give you a little break if needed. You don't have to do it alone.

Doreese