December 2010 New Specialty Toys — Educational

This 24-page book includes a collection of self-checking, standards-based skill cards. These cards are designed for hands-on review or independent work at a learning center. The varying skill levels represented in the series provide valuable differentiation for students. "The Turn & Learn series is designed to provide a fun, interactive way for students to practice early literacy and math skills," Creative Teaching Press Marketing Specialist Lauren Tuculescu told TDmonthly.

This eight-book collection reveals how exciting it is to be able to read. These books are designed for pre-K beginning readers, or struggling early readers. In these adventures children will discover the joy of sharing, the uniqueness of each person, how to make a mud pie and more. By purchasing the Kids Club Combo buyers will receive a 10-percent savings over purchasing the two sets included individually, plus a colorful tracking chart and corresponding stickers. The compact storage box encourages children to store and access their own Learn to Read Kids Club materials.
Awards: Creative Child Magazine Media of the Year Award (Educational Books)

The reproducible pages in this resource can be used to create a class set of all 12 books in the Sing Along & Read Along with Dr. Jean series. Students can personalize their very own readers and then use them for repeated reading practice as they sing along or read along in class or at home. The set includes engaging activity ideas for each title to promote an interactive learning experience and reinforce many early childhood concepts.

Kids can use this decorative computer paper to personalize and jazz-up newsletters, announcements, awards, writing center prompts and more! 50 8 1/2" x 11" sheets are included per package.

This motivating bookmark is designed for celebrations and reading rewards, with an added bonus message: make a difference by living green. It comes in a pack of 30 bookmarks, so every student can learn about taking care of the environment while reading various books. "These bookmarks not only promote an eco-friendly lifestyle, but are made with 20 to 28-percent post-consumer waste material," Creative Teaching Press Marketing Specialist Lauren Tuculescu told TDmonthly.

The innovative READ workbook series is expertly designed for beginning readers. Each READ grade level offers a Step In workbook with shorter stories and simpler sentences and a Step Up workbook with stories and sentences that are a bit longer. Both options are specifically written to support beginning readers as they read, explore, and discover early reading success. "The Step Up, Gr. K–1 workbook features an exciting combination of learn-to-read stories, engaging questions to build vocabulary and spark discussion, and dynamic story-based activities," Creative Teaching Press Marketing Specialist Lauren Tuculescu told TDmonthly.

Kids can celebrate special occasions and great accomplishments with these whimsical crowns. The adjust-to-fit crowns measure 6.25" x 24," and the set includes 30 crowns per package. "Rather than a birthday sticker or button, these colorful crowns truly make the birthday boy or girl feel like royalty!" Creative Teaching Marketing Specialist Lauren Tuculescu told TDmonthly.

This 12-book set of readers is designed to help alleviate children's fears by providing a fascinating, up-close look at how "scary" creatures live and why people do not need to be afraid of them. Featuring the magnificent images by Dwight Kuhn, one of America's leading nature photographers, these readers aim to help children appreciate the positive contribution animals make to our world. The text includes sensible precautions people should take when interacting with the animals to avoid being harmed. The included two-CD set features audio read-alongs to complement the readers with 12 bonus tracks featuring comprehension questions based on information found in each book, and wait time is provided to pause the CD to allow students time to recall what they have just heard or read and to then verbally respond. Following the pause, the answers are given so that students can check their responses.

Teachers can welcome new students with this back-to-school Web-themed display. Use the colorful pieces to promote an interactive learning environment while introducing students to the latest trend in Internet-based communication. Each bulletin board set includes a “Welcome!” sign, a “Class Web Page” chart, 30 student web page headers and four customizable web buttons. "This product is trendy, and speaks to students on a level they can relate to and enjoy," Creative Teaching Press Marketing Specialist Lauren Tuculescu told TDmonthly.

Writing Boosters is a comprehensive, supplemental writing program carefully aligned to the Core Curriculum. The program contains a CD, wall posters, story cutouts and 30 pages of activities and strategies. The CD is a dramatic reading of the story with sound effects to engage students. "This is a 'Pick Up and Teach Product', ready for teacher use right out of the box," Bruce Brown, President  of World Class Learning Materials told TDmonthly.

This third and final volume of the "Earth Heroes" books features the youth and careers of eight of the world’s greatest environmentalists who championed the protection of wildlife. It includes the historic and contemporary figures of William Hornaday (saved the bison from extinction), Ding Darling ("A Duck’s Best Friend"), Rachel Carson (author of Silent Spring), Roger Tory Peterson ("Inventor of the Modern Field Guide"), R.D. Lawrence ("Storyteller for Wolves"), E.O. Wilson ("Lord of the Ants"), Jane Goodall ("Champion for Chimps"), and Iain and Saba Douglas-Hamilton ("Saving the Elephants"). This highly readable volume with illustrations and photographs calls attention to the waves of influence that spread from the ideas and actions of these heroes for the Earth.
Awards: 2010 Mom's Choice Award - Gold Medal

In this second of the BLUES Go Birding series, five adorable cartoon bluebirds go on another bird watching adventure. This time they follow in the footsteps of the famed Roger Tory Peterson, and see birds on every coastline of America. Filled with both information and entertainment, the BLUES are a delightful introduction to birdwatching and the major shorebird species for children.