Tuesday, February 21, 2012

In Their Words

There's been a six word essay writing contests where students write what they think it means to be a great teacher.

You can see the submissions and vote for a winner here.  Today is the last day to vote!

Friday, February 17, 2012

John Stewart and Education.

Nothing could make me happier than John Stewart talking about teachers and education.  His mother is a teacher, he knows a variety of teachers, and whenever Stewart talks about education he makes sure to address what teachers say, instead of only focusing on political officials or lobbying groups.

Yesterday he had Arne Duncan, the current Secretary of Education, and again, he made sure to stand up for teachers and what they say. You can see the video of the interview here on Hulu.

Saturday, February 11, 2012

Book List - Black History Month

I did this Book List last year as well.  It's Black History Month in the US (and some other countries) so in honor of that here is a new list of books with black authors and/or prominent black characters.  Like always, books I have personally read are marked with an *.  Also this list will be updated over the course of the month.

Pre-K and Kindergarten
* The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats (1963 Caldecott Medal winner. The beautifully illustrated story of a  boy playing in a snow draped city.  This book is one of the first popular children's books to focus on a black child.)

Grades 1 - 2
Max Found Two Sticks by Brian Pinkey ( Max doesn't like talking much, so he uses his drunk sticks (twigs) to make music that expresses his feelings.)

Grades 3 - 5
J.T. by Jane Wagner (J.T's a kid on a bad track, until he befriends an injured cat and learns how to express the love he has a hard time showing other humans.)

Young Adult
* The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (Various characters in this book and series are people of color.  However, often the race isn't explicitness mentioned but implied through comments about hair type, eyes, and skin shade.  Some people see Katniss as mixed race. Read my review.)

* The Demon's Surrender by Sarah Rees Brennan (The last book in the Demon's Lexicon series is told from the perspective of Sin, a bi-racial demon dancer

Mildred B Taylor (Especially famous for her Logan family books, about a black sharcropping family in the deep south right from the 1930s to the Civil Rights movement.  Some of her books are young adult, such as The Road to Memphis and Roll of Thunder Hear my Cry others, like Mississippi Bridgeand The Friendship are appropriate for Grades 3 and up.)
Walter Dean Myers ( Preeminent writer for children and young adults.  Writes fiction, nonfiction and poetry.  Famous books include Monster,ScorpionsHoops145th Street: Short StoriesThe Blues of Flat Town and Countless others.)