Category Archive: For Educators

7 Facts About English Language Learners … & How They’re Awesome!

Posted in: For Educators

Learning English as a second language can be a very challenging journey for children, educators, and caregivers. Here are some surprising tidbits that you might not have known about your English Language Learning students, PLUS resources to help them thrive. 7 Awesome Facts About English Language Learners 27% of U.S. children under... Read more

Tools of the Mind: Teaching Children Self-Regulation through Play

Posted in: For Educators

Today’s guest blog post is by Dr. Deborah Leong, Executive Director of Tools of the Mind, and coauthor with Dr. Elena Bodrova of “Tools of the Mind: The Vygotskian Approach to Early Childhood Education”, and Barbara Wilder-Smith, Director of Content Development at Tools of the Mind. Tools of the Mind... Read more

First Book Marketplace Perks: Promo Codes, Grants & Free Resources

Posted in: For Educators

One of the many perks of being a member of the First Book community is having exclusive access to special funding opportunities to help subsidize the cost of books and resources on the First Book Marketplace! A major part of our mission here at First Book is to make sure... Read more

Five Fun Ideas to Celebrate Día de los niños, Día de los libros

Posted in: For Educators

Are you celebrating Día this year? We have five fun ideas to fuel your celebration planning. In its 20th year, Children’s Day, Book Day/El día de los niños, Día de los libros (known as Día) is the annual celebration of bookjoy created by children’s author Pat Mora. The nationally recognized... Read more

Ways Educators Can Connect With ELL Families

Posted in: For Educators

Today’s guest blogger is Roxana Barillas, Director of Hispanic Engagement at First Book. When I came to the U.S. from El Salvador at age 12, I had no knowledge of English and jumped right into a new school. My mom worked multiple jobs to support my four siblings and me,... Read more

Tablets Help Struggling Readers Gain Confidence

Posted in: Focus on First Book, For Educators, Impact Stories

Earlier this school year Sharlene Scott, an Alternative Language Arts teacher in Gardena, California, brought two brand-new tablets into class for her students to explore. She was able to purchase them on the First Book Marketplace thanks to a partnership with Blackboard, Inc. Sharlene loaded the tablets with several apps... Read more

Books to Start A Dialogue About Disabilities

Posted in: For Educators, Our Bookshelf

Today’s guest blogger is Leslie Anido, a special needs teacher in California. She first connected with First Book as a member of long-time partner Pi Beta Phi Fraternity. She now receives books and resources for the children she serves through First Book.   Books have helped our students look beyond... Read more

187 Reasons Why a Teacher Needs Books

Posted in: For Educators, Impact Stories

Today’s guest blogger, Sarah Kilway, wrote to us after receiving hundreds of new books for her students. We couldn’t resist sharing her story with you. I teach 187 kids at Ben Davis Ninth Grade Center in Indianapolis, IN. The majority of my students live in poverty. Most have only one... Read more

Who Can Sign Up with First Book?

Posted in: For Educators

When the school year ends, so do many support systems kids in need rely on. Thankfully there are thousands of organizations working across the country to help kids in need during the summer months. First Book is here to support all of them. We don’t just work with teachers; anyone... Read more

5 Tips to Engage Latino Families and Students

Posted in: For Educators

Welcome to First Book’s celebrity blog series. Each month we will be connecting with influential voices who share a belief in the power of literacy, and who have worked with First Book to curate a unique collection that inspires a love of reading and learning. All recommended books are available... Read more