Dr. S.'s Literacy Read Aloud & Literacy Podcast

What We Mean By Literacy In The 21st Century

Our understanding of the the concept of Literacy has evolved from several centuries ago. At one time, it only referred to the ability to be able to read and write. Once an individual could do that, the goal had been achieved. Now we understand that is only the beginning of the process. Literacy today implies being able to read anything and understand what one is reading so that the individual can apply the new knowledge or insights gained to other circumstances or situations. The literate person is able to take what he or she reads and use it to help him or her make better sense of the world around us.

The Boxcar Children - Chapters 12 & 13

In which Mr. Alden comes to stay with the Moores so they can get to know him before he declares he is their grandfather. But Henry figures it out on his own and so the children realize their grandfather is kind and generous and they are invited to stay and live with him. But they miss their boxcar home so Mr. Alden moves the boxcar to his property. And everyone lives happily ever after again.

The Boxcar Children - Chapters 10 & 11

In which James is taken to a free Field Day sponsored by his grandfather, but he doesn't know that is who it is. He is invited to run in the Open Race and ends up winning it and the grand prize of $25 dollars. Then he and his siblings feast on potatoes but Violet gets sick and so Henry runs to get the doctor and they all go to the Moore home for the night while the doctor tends to Violet. In the morning, their grandfather shows up but they don't know that is who he is yet.

The Boxcar Children - Chapters 8 & 9

In which the children use their new cart to haul stones and build a dam so they can have a pool for swimming and washing in and then they find a wild hen and her nest which has eggs for dinner. Then Henry returns to the Moore home and brings his siblings because they can help pick cherries and the Moore family falls in love with these mysterious children and feed them a wonderful lunch. Dr. Moore reads an advertisement in the paper indicating someone is looking for these same four children,

Charlotte's Web - Chapter Six - Summer Days

Summer has arrived and with it a new set of hatched eggs by the goose and the gander. Everyone in the barn is abuzz with the new arrivals but we are left hanging at the end of the chapter because there is the threat of danger to the little goslings.

The Boxcar Children - Chapter 7

In which Henry goes to work for Dr. Moore again and is rewarded not only with money but treasures he and his siblings can use to build things with and vegetables that he picked in the garden and were extras. After a wonderful dinner of stew, they made a cart to use to stones for making a pool with.

The Boxcar Children - Chapters 5 & 6

In which the children gather items to make their lives in the boxcar easier and more normal and then Henry goes into the town and gets a job working for a doctor doing odd jobs and he earns money to buy real food to eat. Then they pass an almost normal day until during the night they are awakened by the dog barking and are sure someone or something is out there but they still feel safe.

The Boxcar Children - Chapters 3 & 4

In which, first the children stumble upon the perfect home and hiding place - a deserted boxcar seemingly right in the middle of. the woods. It is close to fresh water, and as they discover also a blueberry patch that they harvest for the supper. Then they meet up with a stray wounded dog that Jessie nurses and they adopt. Henry goes off into the town to buy milk and cheese and bread for supper and then the children, satisfied, they go to sleep safe and sound.

The Boxcar Children - Chapters 1 & 2

In which the four children, who are orphans, come upon a bakery where they buy bread and then are offered a place to sleep overnight and then work the next morning. Then, they run off because the baker and his wife are going to take the youngest to the orphanage and his siblings won't allow that. So they walk during the night and sleep in haystack close to fresh water.

Read Alouds, Cancel Culture and the Learning the Difference Between What is Acceptable and What is Unacceptable in the Classroom

In this episode I talk about the recent flurry of press about Dr. Seuss and its link to cancel culture and then explain how I view what is acceptable and what is not acceptable depending upon the age doing the listening and the reading. I delve into why some books become unacceptable and question why this is actually valid or not valid.