When I was in third grade, I was given a journal to write in, and approximately 20 minutes every day in class to work in it. It was left fairly open-ended: do math problems, write a diary entry, doodle, practice your cursive. While I can’t speak to what the others in my class did, I … Continued
Book Club for Grown-ups / General
Sign up here We are pleased to welcome you back to CLiF’s Book Club for Grown-ups virtual series featuring Vermont and New Hampshire authors who write for/work with both kids and adults. You can find all of our past discussions here, which have included bestselling authors like Dan Brown and Katherine Paterson, and poets Rajnii … Continued
Of course, peer-to-peer relationships are important to a child’s social-emotional learning and development, but so, too, are relationships with adults. Multigenerational relationships can be fulfilling for everyone involved and it’s essential for kids to have positive, supportive adults in their lives to make them feel safe, loved, and seen. Adults have knowledge and experiences to … Continued
Research / Literacy Activities / Education
Welcome back to another year filled with pandemic-related challenges and opportunities for all educators. Despite variability on the way, CLiF has a full slate of Year of the Book and Rural Library partners and fall At-Risk applications open. CLiF continues to adjust programming in close collaboration with each partner to offer fun for children, staff, … Continued
From first through third grade, I was in a multi-age class taught by Mrs. A. I loved Mrs. A. She read to us every day and encouraged my passion for making up stories. She was the first teacher to tell me I was a talented writer and could be a real author in the future. … Continued
Remote learning and homeschooling are nothing new. But, they have become more popular over the last year in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. As of March 2021, 4.5-5 million children were being homeschooled in the U.S. For children with disabilities, home education provides many benefits. Some of the biggest pros include providing the necessary accommodations … Continued
Sorry, educators, but summer’s winding down, in-services are starting up, and it’s time to think about the school year ahead (hopefully, a little more “normal” than last year?). We know you’re looking for fun and engaging ways to help your students improve their skills and knowledge base while keeping their attention after a tough two … Continued
Reading together is one of the best ways to prepare your child for future success in school and long after. But there are ways besides reading a book that can help them engage in literacy, hone their skills, build vocabulary and comprehension, while having fun! CLiF’s website has TONS of fun, free or cheap ideas … Continued
General / Book Recommendations
At CLiF, we love to read. That’s probably why we spend our time helping kids discover that love for themselves and embark on a lifelong journey of enjoying literature. Summer offers some much-needed time to dig into your To Be Read pile and relax with a good book (or 3. Or 4.). Here’s what the … Continued
Writing is an essential life skill. In our digital world, written communication is more important than ever. Without a doubt, your child’s future education and employment will require some form of writing, whether it’s on tests/exams, essays/papers, or emails, copy, and reports. There’s no doubt that your child will use their writing skills for the … Continued
Living with a mental illness can be tough enough when you’re an adult. As a child, the experience can be filled with uncertainty and confusion. They’re going through the growth and self-discovery that other kids are, with the added challenges of their neuroatypical condition. This is why it is so important that they have the … Continued
Eighth grade was not a good year for me. Along with the usual teenage angst and social awkwardness, I was deeply depressed and anorexic. I spent a week at the Teenage Psychiatric Ward at the Keene State Hospital two-and-a-half hours from home. This was a harrowing experience and deterred me from seeking mental health care … Continued
Research / Literacy Activities / Book Recommendations / Education
Yahoo! Congratulations to all – students, teachers, administrators, parents, librarians, program providers, early educators – for navigating through the school year. While this list barely scratches the surface of those contributing to keeping our children healthy and learning, CLiF recognizes that the shift to summer comes with new challenges and opportunities for the same network … Continued
After a difficult year, kids deserve some fun this summer! Fortunately for New Hampshire and Vermont children, they have CLiF to bring stories to life and give away brand new books to treasure. CLiF’s inspiring storytelling presentations by NH and VT authors, illustrators, and storytellers get kids excited about reading and writing and encourage strong … Continued
General / Book Recommendations
This weird school year is almost over, which means one thing…summer reading! Sure, school-required reading lists can seem like just another thing to do, but make sure to take time to read what you enjoy – and let your kids do the same! One of my favorite things about summer is posting up in a … Continued
The Children’s Literacy Foundation (CLiF) has several grant programs currently available to libraries, classrooms, and programs serving low-income, at-risk, and rural kids (ages 12 and under) in New Hampshire and Vermont. Please help spread the word to educators, librarians, and those whom you know who work with youth! CLiF Program Manager Jana Brown says, “During … Continued
One of the special things about CLiF is that we work with 66 of the best children’s, middle grade, and young adult authors in Vermont and New Hampshire. In normal years, we send them to schools, libraries, homeless shelters, prisons, camps, and more spaces where kids and families spend time in NH and VT. They … Continued
This post offers some research and activities for both reflecting on lessons learned this year and thinking about what components have value for the future. FOR EVERYONE Watch Using Books to Engage Young Children to Talk About Race & Justice, Part 1 and Part 2 How to teach with living poets’ work Join VTLIB and … Continued
61% of low-income families have no children’s books at home.