TRC Read to Kids
Welcome to The Reading Connection’s blog, where you’ll find the best guidance on reading aloud to kids. Whether you are a TRC Read-Aloud volunteer, parent or student, the book themes and crafts ideas, child development guidelines and recommended websites will expand your world. For 25 years, The Reading Connection has worked to improve the lives of at-risk kids by linking the magic of reading to fun experiences that inspire a passion for learning. Visit our website at www.thereadingconnection.org.
A few weeks ago, the volunteers at Sullivan House held a Read-Aloud about worms. They brought in live worms and let the kids get some hands-on experience while reading about these slimy creatures.
The volunteers began their worm night by reading Diary of a Worm by Doreen Cronin. This humorous picture book details the life of a worm kid diary format, including eating his homework and having a hard time doing the Hokey Pokey. While keeping the kids laughing, this book also teaches a few interesting facts about worms.
They read aloud Yucky Worms by Vivian French next. In this book, a little boy and his grandma find a worm in her garden. The boy thinks the worm is yucky until his grandma teaches him all the interesting things she knows about worms.
After reading both books, the group discussed some of the facts it had just learned from the books, including the following:
- Worms' heads are pointed and their tails are rounded.
- Worms are segmented and this helps them move through soil. Their movements loosen the soil and aerate the ground.
- Worms eat dead organic material. They also eat small amounts of garbage and small rocks.
- Their waste fertilizes the soil.
- Worms can regenerate segments of their bodies.
- Some worms can grow up to 22 feet long.
- Worms do not have lungs. They breathe through their skin.
- Worms have no eyes.
After reading in a large group, the volunteers passed out real worms and magnifying glasses, and gave the kids time to examine the worms. This exercise triggered many questions from the kids, which they discussed with the volunteers. They also read some additional books in smaller groups. After washing hands, the group enjoyed a snack of gummy worms.
The volunteers brought a wide variety of fiction and nonfiction books to read in small groups. Some of their favorite additional titles were Inch By Inch by Leo Lionni and Wiggling Worms at Work by Wendy Pfeffer.
If you're not up for digging up your own worms, you can purchase 12 night crawler worms at PetSmart or other pet supply stores for about $4.
To receive credit for this online training, please fill out the form here.
The 2013 Acumen Solutions Race for a Cause 8k & 1-Mile Fun Run is this Sunday, October 13, 2013. We hope you'll join us for an October morning of outdoor fun.
By registering to run or walk in the 8k or 1-Mile Fun Run, you will support TRC's important work. This is a great opportunity to invite friends, family members and colleagues to join you in supporting TRC.
The race begins at 8:00 a.m. The start and finish line is on North Quincy Street, near the intersection with Wilson Boulevard, in Arlington, VA and just a few blocks from TRC's office.
When you register for the race at www.theraceforacause.com, remember to select TRC as your nonprofit choice. Make sure you register soon because registration closes on Thursday, October 10 at 9:00 p.m
If you already have registered for this year's race, thank you. If not, this is the time to step up and support TRC! If you have other plans for Sunday and cannot be there, you can still help by sponsoring a child from our program who wants to participate.
We hope you'll join us for a fun, healthy and rewarding Sunday morning. Your support will help TRC in its mission to create and sustain literacy-rich environments for at-risk children in our community.
We look forward to seeing you there!
After reading both books, the group discussed some of the facts it had just learned from the books, including the following: 
