Books have the power to open eyes, hearts, and minds. These three books are particularly powerful for the raw, honest, real way they deal with police brutality and how it impacts black teens in our society – the same ones that sit in front of us in our classrooms – in their every day lives. I could too easily see… Read More
Archives for 2017
Celebrating Read Across America: Why What We Do Matters
I’m all about any day that lets us celebrate reading with our students. Any chance I have to encourage more excitement around reading is something I want to talk up in my classroom. That’s why I enjoyed Read Across America Day. Even with my middle school students, I celebrated Read Across America Day every year I taught. But as I… Read More
Picture Book Favorites of 2016 – Booktalk Video
For Picture Book Month back in November, I booktalked some of my favorite new picture books and shared via video. In case you missed it over on Lit Perks. Although my job situation has changed, and I’m now an independent contractor doing literacy consulting through BALB Literacy Consulting, I didn’t want you to miss out on some of these great… Read More
Granting Permission to Abandon Books
Encouraging Risk-Taking in Choice Reading You know Ryan. If you’re a teacher, you’ve met him in your classroom. He’s the one who comes in every day and appears to be reading, yet after a month, he’s still pulling out the same book when reading time starts. You just know that book isn’t working for him, so what do you do?… Read More
Something New in the Works
I have something new in the works. And I’m hopeful it will get me back to blogging more here, and offer other opportunities. Stay tuned as plans, details, and website are finalized, & I’ll be back soon to tell you more!