reading

Children are the world’s most valuable resource and the best hope for the future – JFK

Posted on by Voicesoflighthouses

Taking a clue from the book, I painted the modernist bridge against the anachronist Red lighthouse. My contemporary approach in the lighthouse art painting is a delightful, refreshing and compelling contrast to the historic lighthouse. 

The Art Guild of Orange Park is partnering with St. Johns Day School for an exhibit at their new Performing Arts Center. See breathtaking art by artists from local artists. Orange Park, Florida now through January 6, 2025. 

I selected my painting of the Little Red Lighthouse, or Jeffrey’s Hook Lighthouse, as it reflects the power of children to create change.

Made famous by the children’s book The Little Red Lighthouse and the Great Gray Bridge by Hildegarde W. Swift and Lynd Ward, the story inspired hundreds of children to write letters that saved the lighthouse.

Today, it stands as the last lighthouse on the Hudson River and the only remaining one in Manhattan. A tribute to the power of youth. 

A meet and greet for students begins on October 28 at 2 pm and concludes at 4 pm with parents joining in on the discussion. 

elainemariefineart.com

Literacy is one of the pillars of democracy

Posted on by Voicesoflighthouses

Parents are a child’s first teacher.

The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character- that is the goal of true education. Martin Luther King, Jr.

While schools traditionally played a key role in literacy, parents are a child’s first teacher and can inspire a love of reading.

Modern jobs demand a high level of literacy. I’m not talking about scanning or skimming an article on the internet.

According to the National Institute for Literacy, the ability to read, write and speak in English, compute and solve problems are the what literacy is about.

Literacy is the foundation of a democratic society and strong families are the foundation of any successful society. Without both we are in peril.

Time for success

Posted on by Voicesoflighthouses

Imagine what your child will know by sending 20 minutes each day with his or her face buried in a good book.

One of the truest predictors of future success is the amount of reading that children do at a young age. The amount of time children read and are read to predicts whether they will be successful.

Surprisingly, parents and children do not have to read for hours each day; they only need to read for 20 minutes each day. With 20 simple minutes of reading, students are exposed to over 1,000,000 words in the course of a school year. In comparison, children who read for five minutes per day are exposed to a paltry 8,000 words each year.

Imagine what your child will know by sending 20 minutes each day with his or her face buried in a good book.

Little Red Lighthouse Workshop

Posted on by Voicesoflighthouses

The iconic Jeffrey’s Hook lighthouse rose to fame due to the popularity of the book “The Little Red Lighthouse and the Great Gray Bridge” by Hildegarde W. Swift and Lynd Ward. This story was so compelling that it inspired hundreds of children to write letters that saved lighthouse. I love books that inspire children to make a difference. Taking a clue from the book I included the bridge in my painting of the lighthouse.

Lesson Plan for Grades K-3 Social Science

 Created by Elaine Marie Austin 

elainemarieaustin@gmail.com

www.elainemarieartist.com

OVERVIEW & PURPOSE

This workshop engages children in an exciting exploration of art and social science. Children will learn about civic responsibility, the role of government and how they can make a difference. 

EDUCATION STANDARDS

SS.KA2.3 Listen to and retell stories about people in the past who have shown character ideals and principles including honesty, courage and responsibility.

SS.K.E.1.3 Describe different kinds of jobs that people do and tools or equipment used.

SS.1.A.2.2 Compare life now and in the past.

SS.1.C.1.2 Give examples of people who have the power and authority to make and enforce rules and laws in the community.

SS.2.E.1.3 Recognize that the United States trades with other nations to exchange goods and services.

VA.1.2.3.4.5 Develop the skill to use art to organize objects sequentially.

LAF.1.W.1.2 Write information in which they name a topic, supply some facts about the topic.

Length 1 ½ – 2 hours 

Topic: The Role of lighthouses and light keepers 

  1. Objective 

Children will learn how lightkeepers and lighthouses contribute to the welfare and economic well-being of the United States. Students will discover the function of lighthouses such as warning against visible shipping hazards. They will learn the role of government and how to impact their neighborhood and the world around them.

How children read and what they read says more about adults’ attitudes than kids. Forbes

Posted on by Voicesoflighthouses

We live in text based history more than any other time. We actually have trouble not reading. But adults aren’t reading books.

Placing the blame on technology and the educational system gives adults excuses for not engaging with their kids.

Parents can raise children who read by actually reading a book. This teaches kid that reading is important. Reading with a child teaches them that they are important.

Forbes.com

Reading is Contagious

Posted on by Voicesoflighthouses

The Pandemic is a great opportunity to the boost the literacy rates in the United States. Modern jobs demand a high level of literacy. I’m not talking about scanning or skimming an article on the internet. According to the National Institute for Literacy, the ability to read, write and speak in English, compute and solve problems are the what literacy is about.

Reading is face time

Posted on by Voicesoflighthouses

In this age of computers and smart phones, reading to your child is more important than ever. Studies show that technology has made people lonelier than ever.

Sending a text is not the same as talking to someone. We now have the option of being close to everyone and no one at the same time. Reading a book is face.