***Disclosure: I received complimentary samples to facilitate my post. All opinions are 100% honest and have not been influenced in any way.***
As a homeschooling Mom, I am always looking for ways to extend learning beyond the K12 lesson plan. Sure, the curriculum offered is great, but curious kiddos like my Sophie often want more information about the topics that interest them the most.
Sophie, who just turned 6, is definitely hungry for knowledge. She is very interested in the world around her. She loves learning about science and nature, technology, the solar system, and literally everything in between.
While Sophie is currently a Kindergartener, she's in a lot of First Grade classes. She reads independently extremely well, and loves nothing more than exploring our wonderful world through books.
So naturally, when I learned about the fantastic Smithsonian Readers, I couldn't wait to check them out with my kids. These books are packed full of essential knowledge, and are presented in a way that keeps kids excited and engaged. There are different, leveled readers, which literally grow with your child. I love this, since it allows kids to read and grow at their own individual pace.
Sophie, who just turned 6, is definitely hungry for knowledge. She is very interested in the world around her. She loves learning about science and nature, technology, the solar system, and literally everything in between.
While Sophie is currently a Kindergartener, she's in a lot of First Grade classes. She reads independently extremely well, and loves nothing more than exploring our wonderful world through books.
So naturally, when I learned about the fantastic Smithsonian Readers, I couldn't wait to check them out with my kids. These books are packed full of essential knowledge, and are presented in a way that keeps kids excited and engaged. There are different, leveled readers, which literally grow with your child. I love this, since it allows kids to read and grow at their own individual pace.
Smithsonian Readers: Early Adventures Level 1 (ages 4 and up) lays the groundwork with simple sentence structure and familiar content, divided into six 32-page topics: Vehicles, Reptiles, Outer Space, Animal Habitats, Insects, and Safari Animals. Full-color photographs highlight concepts in the text, while multiple-choice quizzes emphasize comprehension. A glossary of terms and 36 illustrated fact cards inspire further exploration of young readers’ favorite subjects.
Smithsonian Readers: Seriously Amazing Level 2 (ages 5 and up) builds on the skills developed by the Level 1 reader by introducing varied sentence patterns and more advanced vocabulary, such as contractions, possessives, compound sentences, and three-syllable words. Children can also explore new areas of interest with sections on Nighttime Animals, Sea Life, Dinosaurs, the Solar System, Baby Animals, and the Human Body.
Smithsonian Readers: World of Wonder Level 3 (ages 5 and up) engages burgeoning readers with more detailed content about the world around them: Ancient Egypt, Wild Weather, Rain Forest Animals, the United States, the Planet, and Sharks. The Level 3 reader features additional resources to underline concepts and teach new skills, such as maps, diagrams, and illustrations, as well as more complex spelling patterns and longer sentences.
Smithsonian Readers: Seriously Amazing Level 2 (ages 5 and up) builds on the skills developed by the Level 1 reader by introducing varied sentence patterns and more advanced vocabulary, such as contractions, possessives, compound sentences, and three-syllable words. Children can also explore new areas of interest with sections on Nighttime Animals, Sea Life, Dinosaurs, the Solar System, Baby Animals, and the Human Body.
Smithsonian Readers: World of Wonder Level 3 (ages 5 and up) engages burgeoning readers with more detailed content about the world around them: Ancient Egypt, Wild Weather, Rain Forest Animals, the United States, the Planet, and Sharks. The Level 3 reader features additional resources to underline concepts and teach new skills, such as maps, diagrams, and illustrations, as well as more complex spelling patterns and longer sentences.
Smithsonian Readers: Endless Explorations Level 4 (ages 6 and up) combines the knowledge of the first three levels, urging children to apply their newfound skills with subjects designed to challenge them: Predators, Space Exploration, Natural Disasters, World Wonders, Ocean Habitats, and Flight. Fewer photographs encourage readers to focus on the text for information, while pronunciation guides familiarize them with the more complex vocabulary.
Each title in the Smithsonian Readers series features six 32-page sections on high-interest topics, colorful illustrations, multiple-choice quizzes, a glossary, and 36 removable fact cards for additional, on-the-go learning, making these leveled readers the perfect gift for beginning or reluctant readers who are fascinated by history, science, and the world around them.
Each title in the Smithsonian Readers series features six 32-page sections on high-interest topics, colorful illustrations, multiple-choice quizzes, a glossary, and 36 removable fact cards for additional, on-the-go learning, making these leveled readers the perfect gift for beginning or reluctant readers who are fascinated by history, science, and the world around them.
Also available: Smithsonian Magnetic Adventures: Jungle, Smithsonian Magnetic Adventures: Solar System, Smithsonian Sticker Creations: Wildlife, and Smithsonian Everything You Need to Know: Grades 4-5.
While the books are amazing, we also really love these other fun, interactive offerings from Smithsonian.
Sophie's favorite would have to be the Everything You Need to Know Fact Cards. Yes, she IS only 6, but her reading level is more on the 5th grade level. These cards are right up her alley, and she loves being able to learn fast facts about a wide variety of topics ranging from history to the human body and more!
The Smithsonian Magnetic Adventures are also a wonderful tool to help kids learn in a hands-on way. The magnets themselves are colorful, realistic looking, and can be used over and over to create different scenes. Sophie and Xander spend hours using their imaginations while they learn about the jungle and our solar system. When they're done exploring, these sets go back into their carrying cases, so no pieces end up lost or eaten by our dog, Trouble. Seriously, folks. these magnetic sets are super-neat, and are sure to delight any child.
Sophie's favorite would have to be the Everything You Need to Know Fact Cards. Yes, she IS only 6, but her reading level is more on the 5th grade level. These cards are right up her alley, and she loves being able to learn fast facts about a wide variety of topics ranging from history to the human body and more!
The Smithsonian Magnetic Adventures are also a wonderful tool to help kids learn in a hands-on way. The magnets themselves are colorful, realistic looking, and can be used over and over to create different scenes. Sophie and Xander spend hours using their imaginations while they learn about the jungle and our solar system. When they're done exploring, these sets go back into their carrying cases, so no pieces end up lost or eaten by our dog, Trouble. Seriously, folks. these magnetic sets are super-neat, and are sure to delight any child.
The Smithsonian Sticker Creations: Wildlife set is equally awesome. What kid doesn't like stickers, after all?
This sticker book set offers beautiful scenes that kids can customize using some very realistic and durable wildlife stickers. These can be reused, too, which is a huge bonus. Take a look at how beautifully made these stickers are. They really take sticker play to a whole new level, don't you agree?
This sticker book set offers beautiful scenes that kids can customize using some very realistic and durable wildlife stickers. These can be reused, too, which is a huge bonus. Take a look at how beautifully made these stickers are. They really take sticker play to a whole new level, don't you agree?
Overall, our Smithsonian products have become a great supplement to our homeschool curriculum. The kids love being able to learn in a hands-on way, and they seem to actually learn more effectively when they're using their imaginations.
If you have beginning readers, or even older kids who just love to learn new things, definitely check out all of the awesomeness that Smithsonian has to offer. I'm willing to bet your kids will love these educational products just as much as mine do!
If you have beginning readers, or even older kids who just love to learn new things, definitely check out all of the awesomeness that Smithsonian has to offer. I'm willing to bet your kids will love these educational products just as much as mine do!
How to Purchase:
You can check out these great Smithsonian titles and others on the Silver Dolphin Books website.
You can connect with Silver Dolphin Books on Facebook and on twitter to stay on top of their latest products and promotions.
You can connect with Silver Dolphin Books on Facebook and on twitter to stay on top of their latest products and promotions.
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