…changing the world, one reader at a time.
For the first time this year, I put the work into bringing Black History Month to life in my library. It was such a wonderful month of questions, discussions, explorations, and growth! It changed the way that I look at displays and celebrations in my space, and the deep thinking they can inspire. As […]
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I love my hair! / ¡Amo mi cabello! Señora Roth (@senorarothspanish) and I teamed up last week for a special bilingual story time with Sandra Cisneros’ book, Hairs / Pelitos. We were inspired by second grade students sharing stories about their identity with kindergarten readers – books like I am Enough and I Love My Hair […]
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I’ve been so amazed at the incredible displays and pieces of art that educators have shared from their schools and libraries to celebrate Black History Month! I mean, come on – this is stunning! Unfortunately for my readers, I’m not much of an artist, which puts many of these beautiful pieces outside of my grasp. […]
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Second graders were so fascinated by Barack Obama’s picture book, Of Thee I Sing: A Letter to my Daughters. We started our lesson by learning a little bit more about Barack Obama’s life and career from two of our Black History Month displays, the Who Said That? game and the daily facts on the circulation desk […]
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Readers and I shared Misty Copeland’s picture book Firebird this week, illustrated by Christopher Myers. The book is beautiful and the class loved learning about Misty and her difficult path to become a principal dancer for the American Ballet Company. During one class’ readaloud, an excited kindergartener cried, “That ballerina has a ponytail and brown […]
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The other day I was in the library with a friend and fellow teacher, cleaning up after a volunteer event. She was looking through the books on display on the top of the shelves and picked up a copy of King and King, a fractured fairy tale in which a prince, searching for his future […]
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Your Who Said That? activity looks awesome! I’d love to see all of the pics, descriptions and quotes if you are up for sharing! I think I’d learn something new, too. 🙂 -Karen February is Black History Month, and it’s the perfect opportunity to spend extra time talking about amazing Black figures, both past and […]
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February is Black History Month. It’s only 28 days long and we’re already on day three, so let’s cut the niceties and get right to it: It’s too easy to let Black History Month pass by without bringing it into the classroom in the way that children deserve. Or to read one picture book about Rosa […]
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consent [kuh n-sent] verb (used without object) 1. to permit, approve, or agree; comply or yield (often followed by to or an infinitive): He consented to the proposal. We asked her permission, and she consented. 2. Archaic. to agree in sentiment, opinion, etc.; be in harmony. (Source) Although it has a wide range of complicated connotations, the definition of consent is actually very simple: to permit, approve, or agree. We consent to things everyday. Or, we disagree with them. As adults, it’s something we have practiced and exercise regularly (although some […]
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“She asked me, ‘Mom, do they hate me?‘ I mean, how do I answer that?” Last night, I ran into a parent, and we took a moment to rest together and share the weight of our heavy hearts. This will be my fourth year teaching her children, and as we have served on committees and […]
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