Thursday, May 26, 2016

A Unit on Waiting!

Ever since January, I started contemplating when would I teach the Bugs Thematic Unit to my PreK  Class. So I told myself that I would wait until May because it is warm and bugs are everywhere, especially in Alabama. I wanted my students to understand Metamorphosis. So I went online and I bought a cup of caterpillars.  

My students were elated after I discussed that we would be receiving them in a couple of days.  In a week, they arrived in a small container. We use journals to talk about their progress. Seven days later, all five of the caterpillars created their own cocoon. Next, we played the waiting game, a long waiting game. I felt like the caterpillars had died and so did the kids. 

Finally, four of the caterpillars became butterflies.  However, one caterpillar was not ready for the transformation. I lost all hope for that caterpillar, not knowing that the next day he would turn out just as beautiful as the other ones. 
I found it fascinating that one caterpillar did not let me decide his fate.  I wanted that one butterfly to be like the rest. 

 So many times we measure a student's achievement with another because that is the norm.  Since this is "Graduation Season" we must take into consideration that a student or your child must find their own way to reach their goals. Remember there is beauty in waiting. 



"It's opener there
in the wide open air.

Out there things can happen
and frequently do
to people as brainy
and footsy as you.

And then things start to happen,
don't worry. Don't stew.
Just go right along.
You'll start happening too."

-Dr. Seuss, Oh, The Places You'll Go! 

Thursday, May 5, 2016

Teacher's Appreciation Week


"The task of the modern educator is not to cut down jungles, but to irrigate deserts."~ C.S. Lewis
Becoming a teacher was one of the best decisions I ever made.  I know that sometimes we do not feel appreciated on a daily basis.  Everyday we are reminded that we are underpaid and overworked, but the ability to help a child reach their dream is the best.   My my former students love to see me in the hallways.  They greet me daily and their parents Thank me!  It makes me feel awesome!

So I wanted to suggest some of my favorite children's books about educators and the impact they can make.  I realized that I did not see a book list for these type of books, so I decide to make my own.  So please email me or comment below if you know of anymore that fit this category!



(This post contains affiliated links.)

 

 
 
  
 
 
 

 

Friday, April 29, 2016

Because of a Boy Named Peter





 
You can walk into any classroom today and find a variety of books.  The story-lines range from the environment, kids, funny animals, feelings, multicultural characters, and more. In the past, characters of diverse backgrounds were non-existent, even in schools that were mostly African-American.  African-Americans could not connect with the characters of the story.  Then, one man decided to change that.





In 1962, Ezra Jack Keats wrote the first children's book with a character with a diverse background, The Snowy Day. The story is about a small boy, Peter, who is experiencing a snow day outside of his home.  In the following year, The Snowy Day won the Caldecott Medal, which during that time was a very high honor for illustrated books for children.  Keats has illustrated almost 85 children books (written and illustrated 22). 

The story of Peter did not end with The Snowy Day.  Keats wrote six other books that included the life of Peter all the way to his adolescence.  Keats believed that every child should be able to see themselves in books. He took a chance to make a difference by something so small and making others see the 
bigger picture.


Ezra Jack Keats wrote, "If we could see each other exactly as the other is, this would be a
different world.” 

Hmmmmm makes you wonder.........

Books about Peter! 











Sources





Picture
http://childrensbooks.about.com/cs/authorsillustrato/a/ezrajackkeats.htm

When a Woman Dares To Dream....

Women, if the soul of the nation is to be saved, I believe that you must become its soul. ~Coretta Scott King
Did you know that the month of March is Women History Month and March 8th is considered International Women's Day.  International Women's Day celebrates the social, economic, cultural, and political achievement of women.  Even though the progress of women achievements has slowed down in some parts of the world, strides are being made to exalt awareness.

Women's History started off as a week in 1987.  Congress expanded the celebration to a month.  The month of March honors women of different cultures, abilities, and contributions.  As a woman, we are not always shown in the greatest light, especially when it comes to entertainment or social media. A positive light is something that we owe our young women.  They should understand that they can be more than a pretty face.


With the new day comes new strength and new thoughts.~Eleanor Roosevelt


The learning does not stop with young women, we should teach young men the same.  Young men should learn early that women have created pathways for society.  Some male students believe that girls can only have certain professions. My goal is teach them that professions are not attached to specific genders.  In society, women are described as bossy, loud, and emotional.  Let us not call a young girl bossy, but say she has leadership qualities.  Leadership qualities that can help her make a difference or just make history.

I have compiled a list of great books that can help teach children about great accomplishments that women have made in history.  Truly, the list could be longer, but I tried to pick my favorites.  These books are good for grades Prek to 8th grade.   




Who Says Women Can't Be Doctors?: The Story of Elizabeth Blackwell (Christy Ottaviano Books)








Coretta Scott








When Marian Sang: The True Recital of Marian Anderson


  She Loved Baseball: The Effa Manley Story





  Here Come the Girl Scouts!: The Amazing All-True Story of Juliette 'Daisy' 
Gordon Low and Her Great Adventure




Sonia Sotomayor: A Judge Grows in the Bronx / La juez que crecio en el Bronx (Spanish and English 
Edition)



  Eleanor, Quiet No More





  Susan B. Anthony








Different Like Coco



  Let Me Play: The Story of Title IX: The Law That Changed the Future of Girls in America



Rosie the Riveter: Women Working on the Home Front in World War II




  Almost Astronauts: 13 Women Who Dared to Drea