Ready, Set, Read! Target & RIF.
John Kremer’s Open Horizon Book Marketing Blog pointed out Target.com’s Ready, Set Read website. 12 tips…but, stay posted, the website is sure to blossom.
I just completed the RIF (Reading Is Fundamental) Summer Reading Challenge for our 5 year old. Ages 5 and up, children must have read a certain amount of hours during the month of July.
RIF is an phenomenal website: there’s dozens of helpful tips, such as how to build a family library, and sections for kids, educators, parents, and much more
RIF sounds like a great resource center and community service.
BTW, the Dick and Jane hardcover 6-7 stories in one-book format, is perfect for Beginning Readers too. Each book is broken into themes and the reading level gets harder from the beginning to the end. So, our eldest was able to read the first couple of stories, and was so proud of herself!
Dick and Jane series IS the classic and best beginning reader book series, rated by all 4 Sabra Girls. We all love the lovable stories, beautiful illustrations, family themes, and most of all feeling a sense of accomplishment for having read more than “the boring site words”.
Recommendations for Beginning Readers
So, everyone rants and raves about the Bob Books, by Bobby Lynn Maslen , but the girls and I are not taking too well to them.
So, through trail and error…here’s what we came up with as our recommended starting points for Beginning Readers.
Please share your opinions and recommendations in the comments section below…we’re open to trying everything and anything.
Please keep in mind, our girls are now 2, 4 and 5 years old, they each have different attention spans, interests and learning styles…so, since we just logged in our 30th hour of reading today at the library (and we just started July 5th) we’re avid readers at this house.
1. Dora the Explorer Phonics: 12 Book Reading Program 
2. A recommendation for Mem Fox, such as ‘Time for Bed’
One warning: I read her books first, becuase a couple of them have some pages that I wouldn’t want my girls to read or even “joke” about.
For example, in her Boo to a Goose
We love Harriet, You’ll Drive Me Wild!
3. I just came across Cathryn Falwell
I read she resides in my home state capitol of Hartford, CT, with her husband, 2 sons and their dog who inspired her to write “P.J. & Puppy”.
Ohhh….do I miss home. Being a native to my beloved Hartford (my home during grad school and when I was the City’s Deputy Health Director)…hits my heart passionately.
Geez…I’m such a “girl”!
4. Last but not least…the imfamous Dick and Jane books
Our eldest and I read Books 1-3 at Barnes & Noble today…and she actually READ Book 4…all by herself. I pointed to the earlier books, showing her the pictures and themes to remember the previous words she just learned…but, honestly she READ Book 4 by herself!
Well, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
So, these series and authors are what we’re sticking with for awhile.
Oopps. (5) I’m reading American Girls (TM) books to them…just as FTI (For Their Information).
[Disclosure: we read anything and everything that crosses our path (such as newspapers, magazines, junk mail, etc. Therefore, these recommendations are for phonics, vocabulary building, and our reading lessons. I wholeheartedly agree with Mem Fox when she promotes reading aloud to children (babies) as much as possible.]
Happy Reading!
It’s a Girl-Thang!
As I absolutely love blogging…I had to find a whole new voice, direction, and focus for us, as we make our “official” first-year’s journey through homeschooling here in the state of Ohio. ..Toledo to be more specific.
As I see huge difference in my raising girls than I would if I had boys…this changed our sub-title to “It’s a Girl-Thang! Homeschooling girls: tips, tools & resources…from birth and beyond (on a shoestring budget).”
The truth be told: my husband and I have been homeschooling our girls the moment they were born, and I don’t envision us stopping any time soon…that’s how I came with “from birth and beyond”.
Starting anew, will allow me to write naturally, and I’ll feel more comfortable that I have targeted opinions, tips, tools and resources for those looking for girl-thangs!
Don’t get me wrong…we plan on raising very worldly girls, so I will not be writing “girlY-things” per se.
It’s just that in raising them and letting them lead some of their education, interests, activities and desires…I realize that we will always have a “Girl-Thang” going on at this house. At least until a little dude comes around…if ever 
Examples of “It’s a Girl-Thang”:
- As our eldest spent 2.5 hours at Safety Town each day for the past 9 days, she always shared her “new girl friend’s stories”. When asked if she has any friends who are boys, a quick “no” jumps out of her throat.
- As we walk down the aisles at the library or bookstores…you ONLY hear “Dora….princesses…Strawberry Shortcake!”
- When we shop for clothes, and in various tones of high-pitches you hear “awww….ahhh….howww cuuuute….ohhhh”.
That’s the “Girl-Thang” I’m talking about.
So, after a month of incredible swimming lessons, tomorrow’s graduation planned for Saftey Town…we’re planning a nice relaxed August before we start our long awaited dancing lessons in September.
Leotards and tutus are already hanging in our closets…and the girls are impatiently waiting for their very first ballet and tap shoes fitting.
To all homeschool girl…young and old–I, too, am a Girl-at-heart–we, Sabra Girls, are here for ya!
Peace-out!
Mama
P.S. While I’ll obviously share Toledo and Ohio-specific resources, hopefully these posts will empower you to find similar resources in your area, and cause you to still stick around. Afterall, our tone will always be from one (or 4) girl(s) to another! 
P.P.S. We’re sticking to a shoestring budget too…utilizing the world wide web at our fingertips. Share your tips and resources often.
Toledo has the Best Summer Reading Program!
Toledo Public Library has the best Summer Reading Program.
Since we’re 2 weeks behind from our vacation, we’re quickly catching up on lost tracked-time.
We constantly read…even during vacation, but I didn’t think of tracking the hours, books and their authors.
Nonetheless, we finished 5 hours each for the week and got our coupon sheet (we already cashed in our free McDonald’s hamburgers), dragon tattoo, and twistable eraser.
We were spoiled with so many books from Grandma and Grandpa, that I am literally reading ALL day long to one or all three to them at a time.
The past 3 nights, I’ve read from 1-2.5 hours alone in bed. I’m surprised I didn’t lose my voice yet.
