tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46129820197173869232024-02-19T07:17:05.639-05:00Culturatti KidsRead. Write. Create.Culturatti Kidshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06471407184729983508noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612982019717386923.post-53587720101475873812010-10-14T01:22:00.000-04:002010-10-14T01:22:36.136-04:00We're In The Running!Culturatti Kids needs your help. We're in the running for a $25k grant from Pepsi Refresh. Winning this contest will help us provide free books to thousands of children from low-income families. Would you take a moment to cast your vote for Culturatti Kids and show your support for children's literacy?<br />
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<iframe src="http://www.refresheverything.com/widget/?i=92c816f2-703c-492e-c0a0-b87dec35f4ad&w=300" width="300" height="255" scrolling='no' frameborder='0'></iframe>Culturatti Kidshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06471407184729983508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612982019717386923.post-74202681519062475712010-07-19T21:35:00.000-04:002010-07-19T21:35:51.885-04:00Fostering Literacy in IndianapolisAs part of our ongoing initiative to provide children in need with books and literacy resources, we recently paid an impromptu visit to the Branches of Life Treatment Foster Care Agency in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our Outreach Director, Anna Leis, presented their staff with Culturatti Kids’ Future Writer’s Toolkits to give as gifts to the children entering their program. The toolkits contained a copy of the children’s book, <a href="http://culturattikids.ning.com/page/hoppas-big-move">Hoppa’s Big Move</a>, a personal journal, a collection of pens, pencils, markers and erasers, a ‘Writers Rock’ T-Shirt and a plaque with an encouraging poem about the benefits of writing. <br />
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"One reason I am so excited to receive these Writer's Toolkits is because so many of our kids have never been given the gift of reading,” said Cindy Johns, a Licensing Specialist at Branches of Life. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg75VRO0EEZcNaSGHdLe8LmtvIOV3veyzE2Z__irHAuBc7naxPNUwoFlPqsmiEegNbNYtHajwDB4Ezpxsxkfo8h1LlqRHiLbqGG5h-SkWtWgYs_nVmcsZJOxSJWiI1jkVan0nkNPXwQhldw/s1600/Branches+of+Life+with+Caption.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg75VRO0EEZcNaSGHdLe8LmtvIOV3veyzE2Z__irHAuBc7naxPNUwoFlPqsmiEegNbNYtHajwDB4Ezpxsxkfo8h1LlqRHiLbqGG5h-SkWtWgYs_nVmcsZJOxSJWiI1jkVan0nkNPXwQhldw/s320/Branches+of+Life+with+Caption.jpg" /></a></div><br />
“What a gift it is, to be able to read and write. It allows you to go anywhere! Explore the world!”<br />
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Johns says the toolkits will be a great addition to their upcoming back to school supply drive.<br />
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“It is our responsibility, as a global village, to provide children with the tools they need to enrich their lives and those around them; even if their mom or dad was unable to. I'm so appreciative!" Cindy said.<br />
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Culturatti Kids will deliver more Future Writer’s Toolkits to Branches of Life and other foster care agencies throughout the year. Programs like these are possible because of the generous support of our sponsors like <a href="http://www.bright-ideas.org/">Bright Ideas in Broad Ripple</a>, <a href="http://www.pelicanadvisorygroup.com/pelicanadvisorygroup.aspx?MyMenu=home&MyPage=homeintro.asp&SessionID=21117736">Pelican Advisory Group, Inc.</a> and <a href="http://www.transamerica.com/index.asp">Transamerica</a>.<br />
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To find out how your children’s organization can receive toolkits or for information on sponsoring Culturatti Kids, email us at support@culturattikids.net. <br />
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For more information on the services offered at Branches of Life Treatment Foster Care Agency, contact them at 317-926-0116.<br />
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span>Culturatti Kidshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06471407184729983508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612982019717386923.post-36871881781709530382010-03-12T11:00:00.002-05:002010-03-12T15:43:37.576-05:00Hoppa's Big Move Trailer Video!<object width="480" height="295"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/JS0pNN8qjEg&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00&hd=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/JS0pNN8qjEg&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00&hd=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="295"></embed></object>Culturatti Kidshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06471407184729983508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612982019717386923.post-3246125545962099082010-03-02T17:09:00.000-05:002010-03-02T17:09:46.235-05:00West Bloomfield Plum Market to Host Children’s Book Author, Erika Roman Saint-Pierre, for the Launch of her New Book<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD5YSBwz5lsviG9ehyhfrOZuClIVARS4sgCY7OLOvf31EZLkIcwPfs-LGgTXYYjSZJfj2n13_vJf4ROipUX0_ayiZO2bz7jXW2kGX1ay3oKanoX30gkUdx5llj-mxXhNXU97ac-DFQMuKG/s1600-h/HBMCover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD5YSBwz5lsviG9ehyhfrOZuClIVARS4sgCY7OLOvf31EZLkIcwPfs-LGgTXYYjSZJfj2n13_vJf4ROipUX0_ayiZO2bz7jXW2kGX1ay3oKanoX30gkUdx5llj-mxXhNXU97ac-DFQMuKG/s320/HBMCover.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-size: 10pt;">INDIANAPOLIS, Ind., February 2010 –<span> </span>Author Erika Roman Saint-Pierre and Plum Market of West Bloomfield have teamed up to present the launch of Saint-Pierre’s new children’s book, “Hoppa’s Big Move,” during Spa Day on March 20, 2010, 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. at the Plum Market in the Old Orchard Plaza, 6565 Orchard Lake Rd, West Bloomfield, Mich.<span> </span>Saint-Pierre will be available to sign copies of the book and proceeds from its sale will be donated to Culturatti Kids, a youth-based literary arts program.<span> </span>Copies of “Hoppa’s Big Move” will be available for purchase at the West Bloomfield Plum Market or online at <a href="http://www.culturattiink.com/hoppa%27s_big_move.html">http://www.culturattiink.com/hoppa%27s_big_move.html</a>.<o:p></o:p></span> <br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">“Hoppa’s Big Move” is about Hoppa’s first day of kindergarten where she learns that not everyone is the same and that some people may actually think she’s different, even weird.<span> </span>Hoppa leads readers on a journey to find friends, acceptance, and the understanding that the differences in race, religion, and life experiences are what make true friendships.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Saint-Pierre has been writing since she was young and wrote her first novel at age 10.<span> </span>She is co-author of the book, “Locked In.”<span> </span>“Hoppa’s Big Move” is the first in her collection of children’s books on cultural and social diversity.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoHeader"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">All proceeds from the sale of “Hoppa’s Big Move” go to Culturatti Kids, a youth-based literary arts program providing books and other resources to schools who will be donating $4 from each book to the West Bloomfield school district.<span> </span>Between now and April 15, 2010, Culturatti Kids will also donate one copy of “Hoppa’s Big Move” for every copy purchased.<span> </span>To find out more about the “Help Get Hoppa Moving” Campaign, please check out Hoppa’s Blog at <a href="http://hoppasbigmove.blogspot.com/">http://hoppasbigmove.blogspot.com</a>. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoHeader"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">To request a media kit or review copy of “Hoppa’s Big Move,” schedule an author visit, and for any other questions, please contact Amy Shropshire, Marketing Director for Culturatti Kids at <a href="mailto:amy@culturattikids.org">amy@culturattikids.org</a> or +1 (888) 849-6070 ext. 3.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt;">For more information about Plum Market, please contact Jennifer Martin, Director of Apothecary for Plum Market at <a href="mailto:Jenn.Martin@plummarket.com">Jenn.Martin@plummarket.com</a> or +1 (248) 706-1600 ext. 115.</span><!--EndFragment-->Culturatti Kidshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06471407184729983508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612982019717386923.post-55128869484637958592010-02-18T19:58:00.004-05:002010-03-16T22:38:25.132-04:00Hoppa's Fans Earn Free Books for Their Favorite School!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin4dbq3E2C5TAEsQm63vTl-9nkTfmgrJJN0rr2vOQ4o3lcMeSgcsu8deCLSG359tNxbw6zc_mxKOlWGvvYCYmBKJao8sVzlL1XdW4dycvhzM94WXJgXq9aYglxH6rNWoIAo9-URgA-DVkf/s1600-h/thubm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin4dbq3E2C5TAEsQm63vTl-9nkTfmgrJJN0rr2vOQ4o3lcMeSgcsu8deCLSG359tNxbw6zc_mxKOlWGvvYCYmBKJao8sVzlL1XdW4dycvhzM94WXJgXq9aYglxH6rNWoIAo9-URgA-DVkf/s200/thubm.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><b>Which School Will Win?</b><br />
Hoppa, from the new book by Erika Roman Saint-Pierre, "Hoppa's Big Move," is sending out a challenge to all of her fans. She is running a contest to see which school loves literacy the most. Everyone that becomes a fan of <a href="http://http//www.facebook.com/profile.php?v=photos&id=1450511841#%21/pages/Hoppas-Big-Move/288033943599?ref=ts">Hoppa's Big Move on Facebook</a> can submit a school of their choice. The school that gets the most votes will win:<br />
<ul><li> A collection of books published by <a href="http://www.culturattiink.com/">Culturatti Ink</a> </li>
<li>A new computer</li>
<li>$200 donation to the school library or media center</li>
<li>A visit from the author of "Hoppa's Big Move," Erika Roman Saint-Pierre</li>
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<b>Deadline</b><br />
April 15th.<br />
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Visit the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?v=photos&id=1450511841#%21/pages/Hoppas-Big-Move/288033943599?ref=ts">Hoppa's Big Move on Facebook fan page</a> to see the up-to-date scores <br />
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<b>One Last Thing</b><br />
For every copy of Hoppa's Big Move purchased from now through April 15th, we'll donate another copy to a child in need. How cool is that?<br />
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So, tell all your friends, your child’s teacher, everyone you can think of and let's see which school loves literacy the most!!!Culturatti Kidshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06471407184729983508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612982019717386923.post-90261260920423710912010-02-01T19:59:00.004-05:002010-02-01T19:59:00.063-05:00Join the Get Hoppa Moving Campaign!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfKOLF_ZI5qESlCR2pJ0IQn94oKXDM5HqK2FfyS_YD5AY9D7V8UzNyyOPlX5uq1_qQgFvxNMjtDnTsH6EpZpoyJeJ1nwQNoABY_kLS_VjNTwiWW9WgQnsST4s2fFjPr40PrM-JE4FyjNEG/s1600-h/Hoppa's+Big+Move.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfKOLF_ZI5qESlCR2pJ0IQn94oKXDM5HqK2FfyS_YD5AY9D7V8UzNyyOPlX5uq1_qQgFvxNMjtDnTsH6EpZpoyJeJ1nwQNoABY_kLS_VjNTwiWW9WgQnsST4s2fFjPr40PrM-JE4FyjNEG/s320/Hoppa's+Big+Move.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Make sure there are enough books to go around!</b> </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Teachers and librarians are often left with no funding for new books. Many library shelves are nearly empty or full of out-dated, tattered, and torn books. With these conditions, how do we expect to inspire a love of reading and writing in our children?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Culturatti Kids, a youth-based, literary arts organization, works with teachers and librarians to make sure their libraries are fully-stocked, operational, and diverse. Right now, we are receiving more book requests from teachers and librarians than we could handle alone. The amount of requests is steadily increasing as school budget cuts continue.</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">In tough economic times such as these, budgets are being </span><span style="color: blue; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><u><a href="http://www.theolympian.com/southsound/story/1075095.html">slashed</a></u></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"> or </span><span style="color: blue; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><u><a href="http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/local/Va_-budget-plan-cuts-books-and-schools-staff-8669731-79728482.html">eliminated</a></u></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> all over the country and our school libraries are feeling the crunch.</span><br />
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There are several ways you can help us make sure there are enough books to go around:<b> </b><br />
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<b>Donate Books</b><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<blockquote><span style="font-size: small;">You can help by donating one or many NEW or VERY GENTLY used books appropriate for K-12 students. The most requested genres include classic novels, historical fiction, early reader, and poetry. We will make sure your donations are put to good use.</span><b> </b><br />
</blockquote><b>Join the Get Hoppa Moving Campaign</b><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;"></span></i></span><br />
<blockquote><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;">The new children’s book</span></i><i>, </i><u>Hoppa’s Big Move</u></span><span style="font-size: small;"> will be an important part of our fundraising efforts for 2010. All of the proceeds from this book are being donated to Culturatti Kids. Our goal is for </span><span style="font-size: small;"><u>Hoppa’s Big Move</u></span><span style="font-size: small;"><i> </i></span><span style="font-size: small;">to reach all 50 states. You can get your copy </span><span style="color: blue; font-size: small;"><u><a href="http://www.culturattiink.com/hoppa%27s_big_move.html">here</a></u></span><span style="font-size: small;">. </span><span style="font-size: small;"><b> </b></span><br />
</blockquote><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Spread the Word</b></span><br />
<blockquote><span style="font-size: small;">You can show your support and help spread the word by joining us at </span><span style="color: blue; font-size: small;"><u><a href="http://www.culturattikids.org/facebook.html">Facebook</a></u></span><span style="font-size: small;">, </span><span style="color: blue; font-size: small;"><u><a href="http://www.twitter.com/culturattikids">Twitter</a></u></span><span style="font-size: small;">, </span><span style="color: blue; font-size: small;"><u><a href="http://www.culturattikids.ning.com/">Ning</a></u></span><span style="font-size: small;"> or </span><span style="color: blue; font-size: small;"><u><a href="http://hoppasbigmove.blogspot.com/2009/12/help-get-hoppa-moving.html#links">Hoppa’s Big Move Blog</a></u></span><span style="font-size: small;">.</span><br />
</blockquote></div><div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;">Author, Erika Roman Saint-Pierre, will visit any public elementary school in the country to speak to students about literature, becoming an author, publishing and, of course, </span><span style="font-size: small;"><u>Hoppa’s Big Move</u></span><span style="font-size: small;">. Author visits are free with no obligation. Please contact Aprill Shelburne, Director of School Partnerships for more information or to schedule a visit.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Book donations may be mailed to our office at:</span><br />
<blockquote><span style="font-size: small;"> Culturatti Kids<br />
11650 Olio Road<br />
Suite 1000-269<br />
Fishers, IN 46037</span><br />
</blockquote></div><div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;">Contact us at 888-849-6070 or <a href="mailto:support@culturattikids.org?subject=Comment%20from%20Blog%20Post&body=I%20saw%20your%20blog%20post%20on%20how%20I%20can%20help%20Hoppa%20get%20moving%20and%20I%20want%20to%20help%20by...">support@culturattikids.org</a> </span><span style="font-size: small;">to arrange bulk shipments. </span> <br />
</div>Culturatti Kidshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06471407184729983508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612982019717386923.post-4670779162557677332010-01-25T19:11:00.006-05:002010-08-20T00:30:34.805-04:00Cursive Writing. Dying. Art.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8DqJov2pXWaMaUscFBgUaK7muN_PU6M4AtyVzjskN4BTzQeYwgG85x5NFVEJG8xX2aPsSTZKdGwRBtawXXsYuDUzOVUc_nEzAypdmU7bp6uJVPnPqozQKMagWr5pGXbCHwSdWjrXHUUDj/s1600-h/erika2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8DqJov2pXWaMaUscFBgUaK7muN_PU6M4AtyVzjskN4BTzQeYwgG85x5NFVEJG8xX2aPsSTZKdGwRBtawXXsYuDUzOVUc_nEzAypdmU7bp6uJVPnPqozQKMagWr5pGXbCHwSdWjrXHUUDj/s320/erika2.jpg" /></a> <style type="text/css">
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</style><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Erika Roman Saint-Pierre is the author of <a href="http://www.culturattiink.com/book5.html">Hoppa's Big Move</a>, co-author of the book,<a href="http://www.culturattiink.com/book1.html"> Locked In</a>, and Executive Director of <a href="http://www.culturattikids.org/">Culturatti Kids</a>, a youth-based literary arts organization benefiting public schools in need. <br />
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</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></b></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Cursive Writing. Dying. Art.<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">by Erika Roman Saint-Pierre</span></span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">I am fortunate to do a fair amount of mentoring to young, aspiring authors. I love everything about it, except for one inescapable thing: The Dreaded Manuscript Submission. While the submissions may be well researched, developed, and organized, the handwriting itself is often atrocious, almost impossible to read, and dare I say it, downright hard on the eyes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">I have heard from a number of students that they never learned cursive writing and that their teachers do not grade on penmanship. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing, so I did some digging around and guess what I learned? They were right! I discovered that the art of cursive writing is being widely abandoned as schools quickly trade pen and paper for keyboards and spell check.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">I know what you’re thinking. So what? Not everyone wants to be an author, editor, or journalist. Why force children to learn a dying art? Think about kids who are dependent on computers for basic math calculation. If they were suddenly expected to count change on the spot, they would be lost and possibly humiliated.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Cursive writing is no different. It is an essential developmental tool that helps young readers distinguish letters easier, learn to spell quicker, and strengthen fine motor skills. It has even been linked to higher SAT scores.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Do we next stop teaching English literature because the speech in classic novels is outdated and difficult to grasp? Do we skip spelling all together since texting is faster? Do we completely forsake the beauty, personality, and style of cursive writing for faster means of communication? Why can’t we have both? Why can’t our kids learn keyboarding and give them the 10 minutes a day it takes to learn an artistic way to express thought and emotion.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">It can be a daunting task to spring cursive writing on students after they have become used to printing block letters. Children should be taught cursive writing right out of the gate when they are still excited and eager to learn about writing. Yes, it requires concentration. Yes, it requires determination. Yes, it requires practice, but isn’t that the case with anything worth learning?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">You may never know the opportunities that slipped through your fingers because of poor penmanship. No one is going to tell you point blank that you’re not getting the placement, job, or scholarship because your submission was ugly.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">It is true; teachers may no longer give grades for penmanship, colleges and employers may not reject you solely on your handwriting, but someone has to read your work. If your handwriting is hard on their eyes, you could just be making it that much easier for them to choose the next candidate. </span><span style="font-size: small;">Our children should be given the opportunity to master the discipline of good cursive writing as a basic life skill whether they groan and complain about it or not.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: black;">Resources to help teach your child cursive writing at home.</span></b><u><a href="http://quilljar.users.btopenworld.com/rules.html"><br />
How to Teach Handwriting<br />
Teach Your Child How to Write Cursive<br />
12 Rules for Good Handwriting</a><b style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;"></span></b></u></span><br />
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</span></b></u></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;"><b>How do you feel about the demise of cursive writing instruction in schools?</b><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><b></b></span></div>Culturatti Kidshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06471407184729983508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612982019717386923.post-34651703097471215782010-01-21T19:54:00.001-05:002010-01-21T19:54:00.164-05:00We've got a new look!We just redesigned our blog to make it cleaner and easier to read and find information! We hope that this is just the first step to getting you literacy information that you can use with your kids on a daily basis.<br />
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<b>What do you think of the new design? What would you like to see posted?<br />
</b>Culturatti Kidshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06471407184729983508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612982019717386923.post-63615636569614941772010-01-19T15:42:00.002-05:002010-01-19T15:51:47.491-05:00MrsP.com Announces writing Contest winners!<div style="float: right; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mrspstorytime/4277142625/" title="photo sharing"><img alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4001/4277142625_229f268d01_m.jpg" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mrspstorytime/4277142625/">Be-a-Famous-Writer Prize Packs</a><br />
Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/mrspstorytime/">MrsP.com</a></span><br />
</div>Back in September, <a href="http://mrsp.com/">MrsP.com</a> announced that they would be holding their first ever "Be a Famous Writer" Contest. On January 15, MrsP.com announced the names of the two Grand Prize winners. Congratulations go out to Gabrielle Fuller, 8, from North Carolina, takes top honors in the 4- to 8-year-old category with her comic fairy tale, “Pretty Princess and Funky Frog.” In the 9- to 13-year-old category, Isabella Penola, 12, from New York, charmed the panel of famous judges with her poignant tale of an elderly gardener, “Spattered Mud and Crushed Petals”.<br />
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“Like everyone, I’m concerned about the state of education in America. But based on the quality of writing for my contest, I’m happy to say a lot of teachers out there must be doing a wonderful job,” said TV star Kathy Kinney, who portrays Mrs. P and is one of the creators of the website.<br />
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The Grand Prize winners will have their stories produced as videos featuring Mrs. P, which will be presented on her popular free, interactive digital website. Original artwork by award-winning illustrator, <a href="http://www.robin-e-kaplan.com/">Robin E. Kaplan</a>, will help bring the stories to life. The videos will be posted for a limited time on the website (<a href="http://www.mrsp.com/">www.MrsP.com</a>) beginning in March for viewers all over the world to watch and enjoy. In addition, each winner will receive an actual bound copy of the story and illustrations as a keepsake to treasure for years to come. Powell’s Books (<a href="http://www.powells.com/">www.Powells.com</a>), the largest independent bookseller and the sponsor of the contest, will provide the Grand Prize winners as well as the 8 other finalists with gift certificates to its store.<br />
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The judges for the writing contest included four top professionals in the writing field: <a href="http://www.davebarry.com/">Dave Barry</a>, Pulitzer Prize-winning humorist and author of dozens of bestselling books; <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0097004/">Andre Bormanis</a>, writer and producer of the popular fantasy series, Legend of the Seeker and author of Star Trek: Science Logs; <a href="http://www.cbs.com/late_night/late_late_show/about/">Craig Ferguson</a>, host of the CBS Late Late Show and author of the acclaimed novel, Between the Bridge and the River; and <a href="http://www.dianaleszczynski.com/">Diana Leszczynski</a>, author of Fern Verdant and the Silver Rose, a comic adventure recently selected as a Smithsonian Notable Children’s Book and currently being developed as a motion picture.<br />
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The MrsP.com writing contest is an annual event and runs every September. It was created along with the website to encourage a love of reading.Culturatti Kidshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06471407184729983508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612982019717386923.post-85303329903296029582009-12-15T15:29:00.004-05:002009-12-15T15:39:22.076-05:00Volunteers Make The DifferenceJust wanted to give a special thanks to Calista Rebello. Calista is a talented graphic artist who jumped in to lend us a hand on a bunch of design projects. Her work is top-notch and her style, energy and attitude makes working with her a pure joy.<br /><br />3 cheers for Calista!<br /><br />~ CK TeamCulturatti Kidshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06471407184729983508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612982019717386923.post-31968932424997294062009-12-15T14:57:00.004-05:002009-12-16T10:20:38.794-05:00Write2Ignite!<a href="http://write2ignite.wordpress.com/"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415854071050786242" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoJ4YPmXDXJQWpfFnn9NvEqZedOgf-683GyjUpRqpu_3WxLaZ3CEddq9d-idLDIZemimsBj6tTZ-XSwuUBYjQh2XA_Wx1FTVcv0RFGOX-BYW111POFsLHDoC7OTUh940XU9ZUVrW58hWc4/s200/Logo2.JPG" /></a><br /><div>One of our fabulous volunteers, Cindy Jacobs, let us know about an awesome project she's involved in called Write2Ignite! It's a Christian-based, children-centered conference designed to help connect writers, illustrators and storytellers with editors, publishers and mentors. Culturatti Kids is all about anything geared toward inspiring kids to write.<br /><br />Write2Ignite! Conference for Christian Writers of Children's Literature<br />February 26, 27<br />North Greenville University<br />Tigerville, S.C.<br /><br />Includes a Teen Track for Young Authors<br />$90 adults / $45 students<br /><br />For more information, check out their website at <a href="http://www.write2ignite.wordpress.com/">http://www.write2ignite.wordpress.com/</a>. Keep up the good work, Cindy!<br /><br />~ CK Team</div>Culturatti Kidshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06471407184729983508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612982019717386923.post-31798501614848309632009-12-11T12:14:00.015-05:002009-12-11T13:00:44.907-05:00The Violet Project Vol. 3, a special Spoken Word Soul Food Sunday<a href="http://www.culturattiink.com/shaunette_byers.html"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414036844557390594" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 87px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 128px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdA-zkLfNYplyO2IYZ4x8OMpRKnDPUDWR83iIVdoVbEn9eB3WTf74b87nf8onq_irv78c2ar_HGmjtNgUQYJkaPLQckgMqntrf0NZYdjcNFtOmgPc2N8FEDwPybW-lsPgnSYXDIrTKpA_n/s200/Shaunette+Byers+Headshot.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://www.culturattiink.com/book2.html"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414036233690086322" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 127px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 141px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiraIyw6_s9koBJglS9sKkPffesLh57GTaXcOCdQOqd7QA2JSJBfXpc6i5mVZcoWYqxVPIZ4F0MaTBMLvhDhjC5zQXdDoGYZ5wsJLLORpn5IYEhgzp53yfHrcvFROJU5lqPEn1p8uY7jo3r/s200/the-storey-cover.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><div>Shaunette Byers, poet and author of the children's book, <em>The Story, the Legend of Fearless Fred</em> will be a featured spoken word artist at The Violet Project. Proceeds from the sale of <em>The Story</em> benefit <a href="http://www.culturattikids.org/">Culturatti Kids </a>but we wanted to let you know about another great cause Shaunette supports.</div><div> </div><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WnI5kL96uiI">The Violet Project Vol. 3</a> is a campaign designed to raise awareness and aid in the eradication of domestic violence. National Recording Poets Taalam Acey, Daynomi and Duwaup are headliners of the evening. A host of Indianapolis poets will perform their pieces on domestic violence and speakers will give their testimonies on how domestic violence has affected them. </div><br /><div>Come experience some fantastic spoken word talent, enjoy free appetizers and show your support for this important mission.</div><br /><div>Two shows on Sunday, December 13th at 6pm and 9pm at Midtown Arts & Coffee Lounge, 519 East 38th StreetIndianapolis, IN 46205. ADVANCE TICKETS ($10) CAN BE PURCHASED BY TEXTING OR CALLING<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HwQOmybp_6k"> aLLEN iMAGERY </a>AT: 317.332.6874.</div><br /><div>This event will benefit The Julian Center, a nonprofit agency providing counseling, safe shelter, and education for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and other life crises. For more information on this incredible organization, visit them at <a href="http://www.juliancenter.org/">http://www.juliancenter.org/</a>. </div></div></div>Culturatti Kidshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06471407184729983508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612982019717386923.post-85589276470851851932009-10-02T20:26:00.002-04:002009-10-02T20:52:53.777-04:00Why you should follow...<a href="http://www.twitter.com/donorschoose">@DonorsChoose</a> on #FollowFriday !<br /><br />This has been an interesting week for Culturatti Kids staffer, Amy. Every time she flies, she gets sick. And this last time was no different. And if you know Amy, you know that she likes to talk - but this "mysterious flying illness" includes losing her voice. Fun. Good thing Amy knows sign language. Bad thing that most of her friends and family don't!<br /><br />Because of this, Amy had to cancel all her meetings this week including one with this week's #FollowFriday shout out. So to make up for it until we can have our chat, we wanted to share Culturatti Kid's respect for Donors Choose with all of our followers.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://virtualofficefaq.files.wordpress.com/2009/09/donors-choose-logo.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 352px; height: 107px;" src="http://virtualofficefaq.files.wordpress.com/2009/09/donors-choose-logo.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Donors Choose helps create 'partnerships' between teachers and people willing to give as little as $1 to help fund school projects. Teachers submit project requests to which visitors to the Donors Choose <a href="http://www.donorschoose.org">website</a> can donate all, or a portion of the request. Once a project reaches its goal, the materials are delivered to the school. Its as easy as that. You can support as many projects as you like and you can even focus on locations that are close to you and/or projects in areas (such as arts or literature) that inspire you. <br /><br />According to their <a href="http://www.donorschoose.org/about/impact.html#students">impact page</a>, Donors Choose has raised $38,736,888 to fund classroom projects throughout the country. Just image the impact your dollar could have!<br /><br />Please check out their website at <a href="http://www.donorschoose.org">http://www.donorschoose.org</a>, and their twitter profile <a href="http://www.twitter.com/donorschoose">@DonorsChoose</a>. Thank you for being such a great organization and we're proud to suggest you for #FollowFriday!Culturatti Kidshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06471407184729983508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612982019717386923.post-10068725294934205752009-09-29T14:12:00.018-04:002009-09-29T15:16:33.708-04:00Thanks to a Truly Passionate Teacher<div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzGDfVbwBVsSnrAyNLJX5C1C8sQy0kgaMUFxX3-bIPfUyczoNNxGhSo-PCXWiDuIdeHUJBO-uwvXXShPuQR0g4UKlfs4-iibgdfUrtLMiwnNX5JbmFatkdysfwpjU4ubnFSoQkngxu13k0/s1600-h/Lynhurst+Author+Visit+3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386963443842824514" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 130px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzGDfVbwBVsSnrAyNLJX5C1C8sQy0kgaMUFxX3-bIPfUyczoNNxGhSo-PCXWiDuIdeHUJBO-uwvXXShPuQR0g4UKlfs4-iibgdfUrtLMiwnNX5JbmFatkdysfwpjU4ubnFSoQkngxu13k0/s200/Lynhurst+Author+Visit+3.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">Culturatti Kids recently provided an author visit to the Lynhurst 7th & 8th Grade Center in Indianapolis, IN. Teacher, Shae Young requested authors, </span><a href="http://www.culturattiink.com/authors.html"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">Erika Roman Saint Pierre and Barbara Randall</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">, of the book, </span><a href="http://www.culturattiink.com/book1.html"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">Locked In</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">, for the visit. The subject of the presentation was domestic violence. The authors spoke to approximately 50 students and gave them advice on writing about painful or difficult subjects. </span><br /></div><div></div><div> </div><div><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAddzH32GmhLa_L4JH3Y7TGj2nHMmzV9VwrCAeCt-CA0efifrDSXB6vLqCSmndY3MRC3d8kkxjQTGI7rEm5El-Z5g47iquo4Gq984WrKmwB8kvbYAmbRLxmMVazS-xvb-xS0MJEgNgqr7X/s1600-h/Lynhurst+Author+Visit+1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386966036000370962" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 124px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAddzH32GmhLa_L4JH3Y7TGj2nHMmzV9VwrCAeCt-CA0efifrDSXB6vLqCSmndY3MRC3d8kkxjQTGI7rEm5El-Z5g47iquo4Gq984WrKmwB8kvbYAmbRLxmMVazS-xvb-xS0MJEgNgqr7X/s200/Lynhurst+Author+Visit+1.jpg" border="0" /></a>During their visit to Lynhurst, Culturatti Kids learned about the innovative writing club founded by Mrs. Young called True Passions. The students are not just given conventional writing assignments but learn about the life and works of contemporary poets, authors and rappers. Members of True Passions are encouraged to express their deepest emotions through freestyle poetry and spoken word. Mrs. Young also publishes the work of her students online and in an annual anthology. For more information on True Passions, visit their website at: </span><a href="http://truepassions.wikispaces.com/"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">http://truepassions.wikispaces.com/</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">. </span></div><br /><div><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">Culturatti Kids would like to thank Shae Young for being such an inspirational teacher and for her commitment to making literary art fresh for young writers.<br /></span></p></div></div>Culturatti Kidshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06471407184729983508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612982019717386923.post-76170583322127425942009-09-25T18:44:00.005-04:002009-09-25T18:59:06.796-04:00Why you should follow...<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/londonpubliclibrary/2440641637/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2134/2440641637_c7fa95a45f_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" /></a><br /><span style="margin-top: 0px;font-size:0.9em;" ><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/londonpubliclibrary/2440641637/">Dr. Seuss</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/londonpubliclibrary/">London Public Library</a></span></div><a href="http://www.twitter.com/bookbday">@bookbday</a> on #FollowFriday !<br /><br />We've already featured <a href="http://www.twitter.com/mitaliperkins">@mitaliperkins</a> , a great author, on our #FollowFriday list, and this week we wanted to make sure that everyone knew about one of her great ideas - Twitter Book Parties! As it says on the <a href="http://www.twitterbookparties.com/">site</a> "The release of a new book is something to celebrate!" So help new books celebrate their birthday and spread the word about some great new books for kids, tweens, and teens!<br /><br />If you are an author or illustrator who would like your book included in the party, you can check out the info <a href="http://bit.ly/RZI7M">here</a> and join in on spreading the word others' parties as well.<br /><br />To add <a href="http://www.twitter.com/bookbday">@bookbday</a> on <a href="http://www.twitter.com/">Twitter</a>, go to <a href="http://twitter.com/bookbday">http://twitter.com/bookbday</a> and click on the "<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">Follow</span>" button! It's just that easy!Culturatti Kidshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06471407184729983508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612982019717386923.post-12728410798251244382009-07-31T18:33:00.003-04:002009-07-31T19:00:59.750-04:00Why you should follow...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://tbn1.google.com/images?q=tbn:OhMBBecgU8uO_M:http://www.babybugmagkids.com/files/babybug/RIF%2520Logo%2520PC_287.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 83px; height: 114px;" src="http://tbn1.google.com/images?q=tbn:OhMBBecgU8uO_M:http://www.babybugmagkids.com/files/babybug/RIF%2520Logo%2520PC_287.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.twitter.com/rifweb">@RIFWeb</a> on #FollowFriday!<br /><br />You could probably say that Reading is Fundamental's name pretty much says it all. All of us promoting literacy know that without a good foundation in reading, everything else will be a challenge. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.rif.org/">Reading is Fundamental's website</a> has resources for <a href="http://www.rif.org/educators/">educators</a> and <a href="http://www.rif.org/parents/">parents</a>, as well as information on their <a href="http://www.rif.org/multicultural_campaign.mspx">Multicultural literacy campaign</a>.<br /><br />One thing that really pushed RIF to the front of the Follow Friday list this week is their partnership with Macy's for "<a href="http://www.bookabrighterfuture.com/">Book a Brighter Future</a>." We all know that back to school shopping is getting into full swing, so why not head to <a href="http://www1.macys.com/index.ognc">Macy's</a> where a $3 donation will get you $10 off a purchase of $50 or more (which we all know is easy to do). <span style="font-weight: bold;">One Hundred percent of your $3 donation will go to support Reading is Fundamental programs and you have the opportunity to win a </span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.bookabrighterfuture.com/">$1,000 Macy's shopping spree</a><span style="font-weight: bold;">!</span> So go back to school shopping and support literacy all at the same time...Oh, and follow RIF on <a href="http://www.twitter.com">Twitter</a> at <a href="http://www.twitter.com/rifweb">@RIFWeb</a>!Culturatti Kidshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06471407184729983508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612982019717386923.post-17015582375915103532009-07-24T19:14:00.002-04:002009-07-24T19:14:00.584-04:00Why You Should Follow...<span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.twitter.com/alanasachievers">@AlanasAchievers</a> on #FollowFriday</span><br /><br />At Culturatti Kids, we're all about helping youth find their potential, but its one thing for a group of adults to be telling youth that they should work hard and dream big. It's entirely another when a bright and talented youth reaches out to her own peers to encourage them, and that's exactly what Alana Ethridge does.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.alanaethridge.net/alanaachievers.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 330px; height: 330px;" src="http://www.alanaethridge.net/alanaachievers.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>You may have seen Alana as one of the original members of '<a href="http://www.fox.com/areyousmarter/">Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader</a>.' Because of her success, she realized the importance of mentoring and giving back. Because of this she has started <a href="http://www.alanaethridge.net/alanas-achievers.html">Alana's Achievers</a>, an <a href="http://www.afefoundation.org/alana-ethridge.html">Athletes for Education</a> program. This program helps youth set positive goals and promotes education and a healthy lifestyle.<br /><br />Please check out Alana on her <a href="http://www.alanaethridge.net/alanas-achievers.html">website</a>, the <a href="http://www.afefoundation.org/alana-ethridge.html">Alana's Achivers</a> page, and on <a href="http://www.twitter.com/alanasachievers">Twitter</a>!Culturatti Kidshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06471407184729983508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612982019717386923.post-70006640974582018972009-07-17T20:41:00.003-04:002009-07-17T20:58:56.650-04:00Why You Should Follow...@MrsPstorytime on #FollowFriday<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.press.mrsp.com/img/press/102thumb.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 100px; height: 150px;" src="http://www.press.mrsp.com/img/press/102thumb.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Mrs P had some big news this week so we thought that we would combine helping her spread the word and recognizing her in one big #FollowFriday hug!<br /><br />This week, Mrs P announced the celebrity judges for her new writing contest for kids 13 and under coming this fall and she's got some GREAT ones!<br /><ul><li><a href="http://www.davebarry.com/">Dave Barry</a>, Pulitzer Prize-winning humorist and author of dozens of bestselling <a href="http://www.davebarry.com/books.html">books</a> of both fiction and non-fiction</li><li><a href="http://www.startrek.com/startrek/view/series/ENT/creative/101085.html">Andre Bormanis</a>, writer and producer of the popular fantasy series, <a href="http://www.legendoftheseeker.com/"><i>Legend of the Seeker</i></a> and author of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Star-Trek-Science-Andre-Bormanis/dp/0671009974"><i>Star Trek: Science Logs</i></a></li><li><a href="http://www.cbs.com/late_late_show/about/craig_ferguson/bio.php">Craig Ferguson</a>, host of the <a href="http://www.cbs.com/late_late_show/">CBS Late Late Show</a>, noted screenwriter and author of the acclaimed novel, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Between-Bridge-River-Craig-Ferguson/dp/0811853756"><i>Between the Bridge and the River</i></a>; and<br /></li><li><a href="http://www.dianaleszczynski.com/">Diana Leszczynski</a>, author of the novel, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fern-Verdant-Silver-Diana-Leszczynski/dp/0375852131"><i>Fern Verdant and the Silver Rose</i></a>, a comic adventure recently selected as a <a href="http://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/Smithsonian-Notable-Books-For-Children-2008.html?c=y&page=1">Smithsonian Notable Children’s Book</a> and currently being developed as a motion picture.</li></ul>The <a href="http://www.press.mrsp.com/v_release.asp?id=18">press release</a> on Mrs P's website states that:<br />"Powell’s Books (<a href="http://www.powells.com/">www.Powells.com</a>), the largest independent bookseller in the world, will be the official sponsor of the writing contest. Gift certificates to purchase books will be provided to all the winners. The Grand Prize winners’ will have their stories produced as videos with Mrs. P reading them aloud from her Magic Library. Original illustrations by professional artists will help bring the stories to life. The videos will be posted for a limited time on the web site (<a href="http://www.mrsp.com/">www.MrsP.com</a>) for viewers all over the world to watch and enjoy. In addition, each winner will receive an actual bound copy of the story and illustrations as a keepsake to treasure for years to come."<br /><br />Even without such big news, we think you should check out Mrs P. Go to her website <a href="http://www.mrsp.com/">here</a> and follow her on <a href="http://twitter.com/MrsPstorytime">Twitter</a> too!Culturatti Kidshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06471407184729983508noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612982019717386923.post-69861762655295697612009-07-15T13:34:00.001-04:002009-07-15T13:34:56.412-04:00New Address<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cindy47452/1796528206/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2389/1796528206_d90e67fbef_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cindy47452/1796528206/">Mailbox</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/cindy47452/">cindy47452</a></span></div>We just wanted everyone to know that we have a new address!<br /><br />11650 Olio Road, Suite 1000<br />Fishers IN 46037<br /><br />All of our other contact information is the same so feel free to contact us anytime!<br clear="all" />Culturatti Kidshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06471407184729983508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612982019717386923.post-55777643713502475932009-07-03T19:59:00.005-04:002009-07-03T20:38:17.612-04:00Why You Should Follow...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.kidsareheroes.com/images/headersmall.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 210px; height: 109px;" src="http://www.kidsareheroes.com/images/headersmall.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.twitter.com/kidsareheroes">@<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">KidsAreHeroes</span></a> on #<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">FollowFriday</span> !<br /><br />"Children should be seen, not heard." How many times have you heard that? Well we're glad that the folks over at <a href="http://www.kidsareheroes.com/index.html">Kids Are Heroes</a> don't believe that! They believe that every child has the potential to change the world and encourages them to do just that.<br /><br />Their website not only recognizes kids that have made a difference, but also gives parents and kids suggestions on how they can become a hero. The best part is that this site was created by 10-year old <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">MaryMargaret</span> to help more kids in the world be heroes (oh and she got a bit of help from her <a href="http://www.justgabe.com/">dad</a> too).<br /><br />So please check out their site <a href="http://www.kidsareheroes.com/index.html">here</a> and follow them on <a href="http://www.twitter.com/kidsareheroes">Twitter</a> to learn how Kids Are Heroes!Culturatti Kidshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06471407184729983508noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612982019717386923.post-58782356118159394732009-07-01T21:47:00.002-04:002009-07-01T21:49:56.959-04:00We've been thinking...<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/karola/3623768629/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2468/3623768629_d854236b17_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" /></a><br /><span style="margin-top: 0px;font-size:0;" ><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/karola/3623768629/">Thinking... please wait</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/karola/">karola riegler photography</a></span></div>We've been doing a little thinking about how to get kids involved in creating their own literary future. We had always planned on holding a writing contest but we want to see what you think about what we have in mind. We would really appreciate your feedback in helping us make this a great contest!<br /><br />If you could take one (or more if they apply) of the following surveys and let us know what you think it would be greatly appreciated! Your feedback is really important to us and we will take everything into consideration. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/?p=WEB229BATQ6LP8">Survey for Parents</a><br /><a href="http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/?p=WEB229AEKLMCNC">Survey for Teacher, Librarians, and/or School Administrators</a><br /><a href="http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/?p=WEB229BAUN6M9J">Survey for Students (must have parent's permission if under 18)</a><br /><br />Thanks in advance!!Culturatti Kidshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06471407184729983508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612982019717386923.post-49081658665308128962009-06-26T19:42:00.000-04:002009-08-21T14:22:44.292-04:00Why You Should Follow...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.everybodywins.org/images/2.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 413px; height: 95px;" src="http://www.everybodywins.org/images/2.gif" alt="" border="0" /></a> @<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">everybodywins</span> on #<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">FollowFriday</span>! <br /><br />**Update** I originally posted this on June 26th but I wanted to revisit it today (August 21st) as the Everybody Wins online auction is currently going on and I wanted to give them a plug! To check it go <a href="http://bit.ly/GblVa">here</a>, and bit on some of their items!**<br /><br />I think their logo pretty much says it all =), but their <a href="http://www.everybodywins.org/">website</a> says even more! "One mentor, one child, one book at a time" How simple! But we all know how profound an impact one person, one book can have. In fact, why don't you take a quick moment to think about that one person or book that instilled a love of reading in you.<br /><br />I'll wait.<br /><br />Got it? Now just imagine you never got that. Everybody Wins works to make sure that every child gets a chance to enjoy books and build a lifetime of reading.<br /><br />To find out more, please stop by their <a href="http://www.everybodywins.org/">website</a>, say hello to them on <a href="http://twitter.com/everybodywins">Twitter</a>, and help spread the word that with literacy - Everybody Wins!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">So who was it? Tell us who it was that instilled the joy of reading in you? What was the book whose cover was worn with love?</span>Culturatti Kidshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06471407184729983508noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612982019717386923.post-65185558120624206402009-06-19T19:47:00.003-04:002009-06-22T00:49:01.653-04:00Why You Should #FollowFriday ... @GrammarCops<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/eli_reusch/2912898000/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3237/2912898000_5ec7b9bda5_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" /></a><br /><span style="margin-top: 0px;font-size:0;" ><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/eli_reusch/2912898000/">Grammar police</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/eli_reusch/">the_munificent_sasquatch</a></span></div>True Story – Until Culturatti Kids staffer Amy (yup, I’m doing true confessions here) was 24, she didn’t know what a preposition was. Go ahead and be appalled. I was. It wasn’t until taking Latin in college (for fun no less) that Amy actually got to learn about prepositions and predicate nominatives and direct objects. You see, in Latin, grammar is very important. I just wish that more people thought that about English! Yes, I do realize that based on the type of Twitter Friends Culturatti Kids has, I’m preaching to the choir.<br /><br />A round of applause for the Choirmaster! Or should that be the cops coming to warn us for singing too loudly? Either way, this week’s #FollowFriday goes to <a href="http://www.twitter.com/grammarcops">@GrammarCops</a> for looking out for the integrity of the English Language! Check out their webpage at <a href="http://grammarcops.wordpress.com/">http://grammarcops.wordpress.com/</a> for tips, observations, and a kind reminder not to end your sentences with a preposition (now that you know what they are).<br /><br />PS – I’m fully prepared for <a href="http://www.twitter.com/grammarcops">@GrammarCops</a> to edit this post and point out any and all of my grammar errors. I’ve been preparing myself all day!Culturatti Kidshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06471407184729983508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612982019717386923.post-35634906228237050922009-06-15T23:53:00.005-04:002009-06-17T19:48:06.576-04:00If you only had $2 to give, would it make a difference?<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/doublep/367323284/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/106/367323284_77484018dd_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" /></a><br /><span style="margin-top: 0px;font-size:0;" ><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/doublep/367323284/">TWO DOLLAR BILL</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/doublep/">Doublep1</a></span></div>***Update 17 June 2009***<br />Dani has received such an overwhelming response to her project that she has established a dedicated blog for it <a href="http://www.twodollarproject.blogspot.com/">here</a>! <br /><br />******<br />Would such a small amount really make that much of an impact in the world? Culturatti Kids was recently asked that question by Dani over at <a href="http://orangesalad.blogspot.com/2009/05/giveaway-video.html">Orange Salad and Pecan Dressing</a>. This summer throughout Chicago, she is leaving envelopes with $2 and a note asking people to let her know what they've done with the money. She's already got some wonderful responses that we highly suggest that you check out at her blog and it got us to thinking:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What would $2 mean to Culturatti Kids and supporting literacy?</span><br /><br />$2 would buy...<br /><ul><li>64 crayons so that kids could illustrate their own stories</li><li>400 index cards for kids take notes on books they are reading, use as bookmarks, write down their favorite book to give to another student, etc.</li><li>2 songs on iTunes that can be licensed on 5 computers to teach youth about poetry, lyric writing, and creative storytelling</li><li>6 pocket folders for youth store their writing work</li><li>2 1-subject notebooks to keep as writing journals</li><li>50 sheets of 11x8-1/2 storytelling paper (blank on top for pictures, lined on the bottom for the story and fold-able to make a book!)</li><li>3 black and white composition books</li><li>200 sheets of notebook filler paper for writing of course!</li><li>100 sheets of copy paper for youth to make their own story books</li><li>36 #2 pencils because most great books started pencil to paper</li><li>4 1st class stamps so students can learn the lost art of letter writing</li><li>1 Teddy Bear that can become the traveling mascot of Culturatti Kids with each classroom he visits adding something to his story</li><li>30 blank bookmarks that kids can design themselves</li><li>2 used posters to prompt kids how "A picture is worth 1,000 words"</li><li>2 cans of coffee to use as time capsules in which students put stories based on how they see the future</li><li>20 used books at the Salvation Army</li><li>2 copies of USA today to teach students about journalism</li><li>1 cup of coffee for a WWII vet who volunteered his time to speak to a class of students who then write his story<br /></li></ul>When you really think about it, $2 can go a long way in changing someone's life! What would $2 mean to you?<br /><a href="http://orangesalad.blogspot.com/2009/05/giveaway-video.html%3EOrange%20Salad%20and%20Pecan%20Dressing%3C/a%3E.%20%20She%27s%20leaving%20envelopes%20with%20$2%20and%20a%20note%20asking%20people%20to%20let%20her%20know%20what%20they%27ve%20done%20with%20the%20money%20around%20Chicago%20this%20summer.%20%20She%27s%20already%20got%20some%20wonderful%20responses%20that%20we%20highly%20suggest%20that%20you%20check%20out%20at%20her%20blog%20and%20it%20got%20us%20to%20thinking:%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3Cb%3EWhat%20would%20$2%20mean%20to%20Culturatti%20Kids%20and%20supporting%20literacy?%3C/b%3E%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3Cul%3E%3Cbr%3E%20%20%3Cli%3E64%20crayons%20so%20that%20kids%20could%20illustrate%20their%20own%20stories%3C/li%3E%3Cbr%3E%20%20%3Cli%3E400%20index%20cards%20for%20kids%20take%20notes%20on%20books%20they%20are%3Cbr%3Ereading,%20use%20as%20bookmarks,%20write%20down%20their%20favorite%20book%20to%20give%20to%3Cbr%3Eanother%20student,%20etc.%3C/li%3E%3Cbr%3E%20%20%3Cli%3E2%20songs%20on%20iTunes%20that%20can%20be%20licensed%20on%205%20computers%20to%3Cbr%3Eteach%20youth%20about%20poetry,%20lyric%20writing,%20and%20creative%20storytelling%3C/li%3E%3Cbr%3E%20%20%3Cli%3E6%20pocket%20folders%20for%20youth%20store%20their%20writing%20work%3C/li%3E%3Cbr%3E%20%20%3Cli%3E2%201-subject%20notebooks%20to%20keep%20as%20writing%20journals%3C/li%3E%3Cbr%3E%20%20%3Cli%3E50%20sheets%20of%2011x8-1/2%20storytelling%20paper%20%28blank%20on%20top%20for%3Cbr%3Epictures,%20lined%20on%20the%20bottom%20for%20the%20story%20and%20fold-able%20to%20make%20a%3Cbr%3Ebook%21%29%3C/li%3E%3Cbr%3E%20%20%3Cli%3E3%20black%20and%20white%20composition%20books%3C/li%3E%3Cbr%3E%20%20%3Cli%3E200%20sheets%20of%20notebook%20filler%20paper%20for%20writing%20of%20course%21%3C/li%3E%3Cbr%3E%20%20%3Cli%3E100%20sheets%20of%20copy%20paper%20for%20youth%20to%20make%20their%20own%20story%3Cbr%3Ebooks%3C/li%3E%3Cbr%3E%20%20%3Cli%3E36%20#2%20pencils%20because%20most%20great%20books%20started%20pencil%20to%3Cbr%3Epaper%3C/li%3E%3Cbr%3E%20%20%3Cli%3E4%201st%20class%20stamps%20so%20students%20can%20learn%20the%20lost%20art%20of%3Cbr%3Eletter%20writing%3C/li%3E%3Cbr%3E%20%20%3Cli%3E1%20Teddy%20Bear%20that%20can%20become%20the%20traveling%20mascot%20of%3Cbr%3ECulturatti%20Kids%20with%20each%20classroom%20he%20visits%20adding%20something%20to%20his%3Cbr%3Estory%3C/li%3E%3Cbr%3E%20%20%3Cli%3E30%20blank%20bookmarks%20that%20kids%20can%20design%20themselves%3C/li%3E%3Cbr%3E%20%20%3Cli%3E2%20used%20posters%20to%20prompt%20kids%20how%20" a="" picture="" is="" worth="" 000=""></a>Culturatti Kidshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06471407184729983508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4612982019717386923.post-70737503754784622032009-06-12T19:11:00.005-04:002009-06-12T19:37:26.771-04:00Why You Should Follow...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://s3.amazonaws.com/twitter_production/profile_images/141418665/Mitali2008.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 166px; height: 184px;" src="http://s3.amazonaws.com/twitter_production/profile_images/141418665/Mitali2008.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>@<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">mitaliperkins</span> on #FollowFriday !<br /><br />Here at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Culturatti</span> Kids, we love a good book. Even better if it touches on important issues for kids. If you look closely enough, you'll even see it in our name... Culture.<br /><br />Which is why we loved learning about <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Mitali</span> because she's an author who is passionate about books discussing bridging different cultures. Her books include (information from her <a href="http://www.mitaliblog.com/">blog</a>):<br /><ul><li><a href="http://www.blogger.com/secret_keeper.html" target="_self" class="bodycopy_black_link"><em><strong>Secret Keeper</strong></em></a> (Random House), a novel for teens, and coming next in 2010 is <i>The Bamboo People</i> (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Charlesbridge</span>)</li><li>Her first novel, <a href="http://www.blogger.com/sunita.html" target="_self" class="bodycopy_black_link"><em><strong>The Not-So-Star-Spangled Life of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Sunita</span> Sen</strong></em></a> (Little Brown) a story of a California middle-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">schooler</span> whose traditional Indian grandparents visit for a year, completely upending her typical teenage world. This book was as an ALA Book for Reluctant Readers and the winner of the Christian School’s Association’s Lamplighter Award. Next came <a href="http://www.blogger.com/monsoon_summer.html" target="_self" class="bodycopy_black_link"><em><strong></strong></em></a></li><li><a href="http://www.blogger.com/monsoon_summer.html" target="_self" class="bodycopy_black_link"><em><strong>Monsoon Summer</strong></em></a> (Random House), featuring a biracial teen who goes back to India for a life-changing summer of romance and realizations. This novel was an ALA Quick Pick, a Bank Street Best Book, a New York Library Book for the Teen Age, and a Texas Library Association <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">TAYSHAS</span> Best Book for Young Adults.</li><li>The <a href="http://www.firstdaughterbooks.com/" target="_blank" class="bodycopy_black_link"><em><strong>First Daughter</strong></em></a> novels (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Dutton</span>), two fast, light reads for teens, explore the campaign experience through the eyes of a candidate’s adopted Pakistani-American daughter.</li><li>She also published <a href="http://www.blogger.com/rickshaw_girl.html" target="_self" class="bodycopy_black_link"><em><strong>Rickshaw Girl</strong></em></a> (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Charlesbridge</span>), a story for younger readers about a young Bangladeshi girl who challenges the traditional female roles in her village. This book won the Jane Addams Honor Award, the Maine Lupine Honor Award, and the Julia Ward Howe Honor Award.</li></ul>Look forward to some good discussion in her Tweets and thanks to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Mitali</span> for supporting literacy!!<br /><br />P.S. Amy at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Culturatti</span> Kids wants to know what part of London you lived in, Mitali! She lived in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Notting</span> Hill for 2 years!Culturatti Kidshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06471407184729983508noreply@blogger.com1