@newsfromtengrrl for 2011-07-31

Powered by Twitter Tools

Time for Summer Reading: Bits Flashback for June 5

Summer reading listIt’s that time when many of us size up the list of texts we’ve been thinking of all year and choose the few that we’ll try to get through during the all-too-short summer months.

If you’re struggling a bit with your choices, take a look at Lifehacker’s How to Create an Awesome Summer Reading List for some tips on where to find books, ways to track your progress, and recommendations from other bookworms.

While you’re looking for great texts to read, be sure you’ve read the great ideas for the classroom or professional development in these Bedford Bits posts from last week:

A Few Extra Links

For regular updates from Bedford Bits, be sure to like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter. Have a great week!

[Photo: Summer reading list by soundfromwayout, on Flickr]

 

Preparing for the Last Weeks of the School Year: May 15 to 21 on ReadWriteThink

More empty classroom stuff, UMBCThe school year is soon coming to a close. Students will make their way to summer camps, family vacations, and nearby pools and parks. Before you face that room of empty desks, spend a few minutes thinking about the resource that worked best for you this year, make plans to reflect with students on all you’ve done during the year and encourage families to keep students learning during the summer months. Check out the calendar entries, lesson plans, and classroom activities below for this week and the approaching last weeks of the school year on the ReadWriteThink site. Have a great week!

New Resources

From the Calendar

Connecting with Other Teachers

If you have feedback or questions about ReadWriteThink, all you have to do is contact us.

 

[Photo: More empty classroom stuff, UMBC by sidewalk flying, on Flickr]

Bits Flashback for May 2

Day 4: Truffle sleeping on the job again (and browsing dogster.com)!Did you stay up late last night watching the developing news (or maybe grading papers)? If so, it’s possible “Parts of your brain could be sleeping right now,” according to a recent study.

The NIH-funded study of the brain activity in rats found that “if you deprive them of sleep (aah, sleep), parts of their brains take a nap anyway. Even though they appear awake and active, brainwave measures show that scattered groups of neurons in the cortex are nodding off on their own.” Okay, so there may be questions about the research that readers bring up in the comments, but if you need an excuse for not getting enough done today, it’s a handy study to be able to mention.

Before you head off for a nap though, head on over to Bedford Bits for classroom activities and teaching strategies, which were posted last week:

A Few Extra Links

Let us know what you want to know about teaching writing or about using digital tools in the composition classroom by leaving a comment. Your response will help shape upcoming posts.

 

[Photo: Day 4: Truffle sleeping on the job again (and browsing dogster.com)! by star5112, on Flickr]

May 1 to 7 on ReadWriteThink

May is Get Caught Reading Month!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

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

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

March 27 to April 2 on ReadWriteThink

Young Irish Lamb Sitting.Hope March is heading out like a lamb for you. After all the snow and rain of the last weeks, we could all use a nice, pleasant transition into April. As you plan your classes for the last days of the month, ReadWriteThink has lesson plans and related resources to support you.

New Resources

From the Calendar

Connecting with Other Teachers

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

—Traci Gardner

 
[Photo: Young Irish Lamb Sitting. by moonjazz, on Flickr]

Helping Readers See Themselves in a Text (NCTE Inbox Blog)

Girl reading, CC Flickr photo by SanJoseLibraryAs a young reader, I wanted stories about young girls, about their accomplishments as women, and about the journeys they took from child to adult. I didn’t want to be bothered with stories of boys becoming apprentices, men fighting battles, or chopping their way through forests. I wanted to see people who were like me. I wanted to read about people who were like the person I wanted to become. Read more in my Inbox blog and learn how helping readers make personal connections to texts is related to El día de los niños/El día de los libros (Children’s Day/Book Day) on April 30.

[Creative Commons licensed Flickr photo by SanJoseLibrary]