This blog post was originally shared February 23, 2021. I am including the original post for context info below with the updated 2022 version of the slides with read aloud links embedded. Three years ago NEA changed the focus of Read Across America away from Dr. Seuss and to “Celebrating a Nation of Diverse Readers” – moving away from a singular focus on, and… Read More
Choosing Culturally Responsive, Inclusive Literature – Resource Doc with Links
I facilitated a discussion group for some district PD yesterday around the topic of culturally responsive literature and created this document as a resource sheet. Sharing here in case it’s helpful to you, too. It’s included as an embedded Google Doc so the links are live for you to click on.
Author Interview – Kate Messner’s Dr. Fauci Picture Book
Kate Messner & Alexandra Bye’s Dr. Fauci picture book carries a strong message about the mindset that can lead to science discovery in an engaging biography young children will understand. Dr. Fauci: How a Boy from Brooklyn Became America’s Doctor draws from interviews author Kate Messner conducted with Dr. Fauci, himself, and follows Anthony from his Brooklyn beginnings through medical school… Read More
#ClassroomBookADay Recommendations: Tales with a Twist
October 2021Fairy/Folk Tales and nursery rhymes are classic for a reason. They have withstood the test of time – though they may have had some alterations or been Disney-fied over the years – and show up often in curriculum and classrooms. One of my favorite sub-genres is the twisted or fractured tales. Seeing the creative and unique ways authors approach… Read More
A New Look for Heise Reads!
Back in January, I decided I needed some joy & cheerfulness, so I decided on a big redesign and branding of Heise Reads & #ClassroomBookADay. It is mostly done, though I still have some sub-pages organizing to do after the transfer, but it’s getting there. Thanks to Becca @ Jumping Jax Designs for the new branding, logos & website design… Read More
#NCTE20 Sessions & Slides From My NCTE 2020 Convention
If you missed any of my sessions during the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) Virtual Convention, you have 60 days to access them through the platform if you were registered. My sessions are listed below along with links to slides or videos of my portion if possible to share now. Native Voices: Bringing Indigenous #OwnVoices Into Your Classroom… Read More
A #ClassroomBookADay Video Chat with Anna Kim about Danbi Leads the School Parade
Somehow this entire year has gotten away from me since March 13. So I’m working to catch up on a few posts with things I haven’t shared yet. Because even if they happened over a month ago, they are still relevant. To kick off the new school year, I partnered with Penguin Classroom to do a #ClassroomBookADay Facebook Live celebrating DANBI… Read More
A Video Chat with Minh Lê & Dan Santat about LIFT
Somehow this entire year has gotten away from me since March 13. So I’m working to catch up on a few posts with things I haven’t shared yet. Because even if they happened a few months ago, they are still relevant. Back in the first month of staying at home, before we all had Zoom fatigue, I had the honor… Read More