May 1 to 7 on ReadWriteThink

May is Get Caught Reading Month, a nationwide public service campaign launched by the Association of American Publishers to remind people of all ages how much fun it is to read. The celebration is supported by hundreds of celebrities, including LL Cool J, Dylan and Cole Sprouse, and the newest addition, Olivia the Pig.

This week on ReadWriteThink, you can find activities for Get Caught Reading Month and many other events as well as other lesson plans and classroom resources. Have a great week!

New Resources

• What’s a TV writer’s day like? Learn how to write a TV script from The Simpsons’™ Michael Price on Wonderopolis.
   
• The NCTE Media Literacy Award is presented to an individual, team, or department that has implemented and refined exemplary media literacy practices in their school environment. Application deadline: June 30.
   
• Celebrate the launch of the Space Shuttle Endeavor with some Astronomy Poetry or a Virtual Moon Trip, and look ahead to May 26, the birthday of Sally Ride, first American woman in space.
   
• Listen to A Conversation with Matthew Quick, the latest episode of Text Messages: Recommendations for Adolescent Readers.
   
• Need K–5 book ideas for the summer? The latest episode of Chatting About Books: Recommendations for Young Readers focuses on Summer Series.

From the Calendar

• May 1: Asian Pacific American Heritage Month is in May! Students consider the portrayal of Asians in popular culture by exploring images from classic and contemporary films and comparing them to historical and cultural reference materials.
  (For grades 9–12)
   
• May 1: May is Get Caught Reading Month! Celebrate by doing a reading-related service project such as planning an intergenerational reading day or organizing a book drive. (For grades K–12)
   
• May 2: Teacher Appreciation Week honors our teachers. In celebration of Teacher Appreciation Week, students read a book about a teacher and follow up with an activity related to the book using the Venn Diagram, Letter Generator, Story Map, or Essay Map. (For grades 3–12)
   
• May 2: Celebrate National Children’s Book Week! Children show support for their favorite Children’s Choice Book award finalist by designing a promotional book cover. (For grades K–6)
   
• May 3: National Public Radio began broadcasting in 1971. Students make predictions about the content of some of NPR’s programs, then listen to the programs and report on the contents and discuss with the class. (For grades 7–12)
   
• May 5: It’s Cinco de Mayo. Students research a piece of art, music, dance, literature, or food that suitably represents Mexico and create a presentation for the class. (For grades 7–12)
   
• Look ahead to next week for literacy activities on blues legend Robert Johnson, Newbery Medalist Christopher Paul Curtis, the Puerto Rican Independence movement, and Star Wars creator George Lucas.

Connecting with Other Teachers

• What do you do to encourage students to keep reading during the summer? Share some ideas in the Reading & Language Arts group in the Thinkfinity Community.
   
• How do you motivate the unmotivated? Share your ideas in the Thinkfinity Community forums.
   
• Do you learn best through direct instruction? Do you learn new material best through lecture or hands-on activities? Read about a recent study and share your experience.
   
• Keep students at the center of learning by checking out the recorded sessions from the Supporting Students in a Time of Core Standards Virtual Conference Series.
   

If you have feedback or questions about ReadWriteThink, all you have to do is contact us. Have a great week!