Saturday, September 30, 2017

Celebrate!




Ruth Ayres has a link-up on weekends where people link to posts that are celebrations about their week. I love this reminder to celebrate every week.


First in my list of celebrations is cranberry bogs. I've wanted to go visit the bogs since we moved to Wisconsin more than ten years ago. My mother-in-law has been here most of the week and it was just the excuse we needed to make the trip. We got to see some partially flooded bogs and also visited a place that packages fresh cranberries as well as dried slightly sweetened cranberries. They had some cool old equipment to look at too. We purchased some and I've used fresh cranberries to make scones, chicken salad, and an apple salad. Yum!  


We also went on a canoe/kayak trip on the Kickapoo River.  It was a beautiful day and we had lovely scenery the whole way. I enjoyed seeing the moss and ferns growing on the side of the rocks. We also enjoyed the time together as a family. 



My youngest child took Korean lessons a few years ago so we have several books in the house. After watching several Korean dramas, I had started listening to Korean music that went along with the shows. I wondered about the words and decided it would be fun to learn how to read 한글 (Hangeul). I'm working my way through the books and an app called Hangul. I put the Korean keyboard on my phone with the help of my child. I've even written some Korean words that way. It's fun to have a new challenge. With all of the Korean going on I also had to make some 비빔밥/beebimbap. I learned how to make it using the book Bee-bim Bop! by Linda Sue Park. It's super yummy. It takes some coordination because it has a lot of different dishes to make, but it's worth it. My mother-in-law was very helpful as we prepared it together. I had made it a few times, but it is always challenging to get everything ready in a timely way without things getting cold.


Another fun celebration from this week is the Lego League I am part of this year. We started in September and I'm coaching some of my students. This is definitely a learning experience.


Finally, I had a great time with first and second grade going outside at school this week. We read the book On Meadowview Street and talked about plants that help provide homes for critters. We went outside to see what critters might be in our meadowlike area. We also looked to see which plants were most popular. The purple flowers above (maybe they are wild bergamot or bee balm, but I'm not positive) had tons of bees buzzing about and many butterflies too. This lesson was really fun and was inspired by the class I took this summer on indigenous plants. 

Many wonderful things have been happening this week for me, but the people of Puerto Rico and Mexico City are never far from my thoughts. Life keeps spinning on here, but may people's lives were just radically changed in the past week. The devastation is too much to comprehend. I know it will be a long time before their lives will get back to anything like normal and for some it may never get there. My mind doesn't quite know what to do with all of that. Some of the students at our school want to do something in response so we will see what we can get going. It's helpful to have something concrete to do when we can't process the enormity of events like this. One of the other schools in our district is doing a fundraiser so maybe we can work together. We'll see what next week will bring.

I wish you a wonderful week full of wonderful things to celebrate.

Monday, September 25, 2017

Banned Books Week & #ClassroomBookaday


I wanted to make sure I still did #classroombookaday during Banned Books Week so I started thinking about possible picture books to read. Here are a few that address censorship and/or book banning.

Miguel's Brave Knight: Young Cervantes and His Dream of Don Quixote by Margarita Engle & illustrated by Raúl Colón

Miguel's Brave Knight is a fictionalized biography told in poems. During the time Cervantes was growing up, censorship was affecting what was being written. Here is a portion of the text:
Martí's Song for Freedom / Martí y sus versos por la libertad by Emma Otheguy & illustrated by Beatriz Vidal
José Martí fought for freedom from slavery and independence for Cuba. Part of that fight was with his pen. For that he was imprisoned and eventually exiled.

My Night in the Planetarium by Innosanto Nagara 
Nagara tells a story from his childhood about when he and his family were part of a production. The play was in response to government actions. This art was a way for people to express their concerns and there were consequences to being part of it.

The Rooster Who Would Not Be Quiet! by Carmen Agra Deedy
In the city of La Paz, a new law has been made about singing. The rooster will not stop singing and the mayor gives out punishments that become increasingly harsh.

I am a Story by Dan Yaccarino
A story is the narrator of this book. The story tells about how it began around a campfire and how it was passed on in many formats and has survived even censorship, banning and burning.

The Artist Who Painted a Blue Horse by Eric Carle
This is another book about freedom of expression and is a nod to Franz Marc. Marc was banned in Germany when Eric Carle was growing up because the Nazis thought his work to be degenerate since it didn't conform to tradition.

Light in the Darkness: A Story About How Slaves Learned in Secret by Lisa Cline-Ransome & illustrated by James E. Ransome 
I haven't read this one yet, but this is a discussion we had today so I started looking for a book to address this issue. Sometimes books have been banned for everyone, but sometimes the banning has been more focused. Enslaved people were denied access to books and it was illegal for them to learn how to read or for someone to teach an enslaved person to read. This is another aspect of the freedom to read and access to information.

All of these books speak to the freedom of expression and what can happen when there is censorship. Several of them also offer back matter that explains some of the censorship. All offer many opportunities for discussion. Do you know of others that might fit the topic?

Sunday, September 24, 2017

It's Monday! What are you reading?


It's Monday! What are you Reading? is a meme hosted by Kathryn at Book Date. It's a great way to recap what you read and/or reviewed the previous week and to plan out your reading and reviews for the upcoming week. It's also a great chance to see what others are reading right now...you just might discover your next “must-read” book!

Kellee Moye, of Unleashing Readers, and Jen Vincent, of Teach Mentor Texts decided to give It's Monday! What Are You Reading? a kidlit focus. If you read and review books in children's literature - picture books, chapter books, middle grade novels, young adult novels, anything in the world of kidlit - join us! We love this meme and think you will, too. We encourage everyone who participates to visit at least three of the other kidlit book bloggers that link up and leave comments for them.

If you want to know more about what I've been reading, visit my Goodreads shelf.

Last Week on the Blog:
Last Week in Books:


As has been the case in the past few weeks, another K Drama was taking up some of my reading time. The most recent one I finished up was Strong Woman Do Bong Soon. It had some creepy/scary parts, but also a ton of humor and some romance. It made me smile and I feel the need of a lot of smiles and laughter lately.

The Authentics also provided some of that this weekend. I was excited to get my hands on it after interviewing Abdi Nazemian last month for Rich in Color. It was a fun book about family and identity.

I am still reading a bunch of picture books. While not really a picture book, Princess Cora and the Crocodile had a lot of pictures. It's an early chapter book that is filled with humor and the reminder that children need to play and have adventures. Many of the picture books were nice and I think Barnaby Never Forgets is going to be a very fun read aloud. It's really funny and I know my students are going to laugh at the things he manages to forget.

The Coming Week: I have a visitor coming to stay this week so I may only get to picture books this week, but I will likely finish The Distance Between Us. I wish you a wonderful week!


Reading Challenge Updates:
Goodreads Challenge 2017 - 538/550
Diversity on the Shelf 2017 - 198/225 (goal = 50% of my books by and/or about POC)
#OwnVoices Challenge - 112/125
#MustReadin2017 - 21/24

Saturday, September 23, 2017

Celebrate!





Ruth Ayres has a link-up on weekends where people link to posts that are celebrations about their week. I love this reminder to celebrate every week.


Today I'm thankful for people who reach out a hand of kindness to others in the world. Earlier this week my husband called to say that while he was home the dog had gotten out of the yard so I should keep my phone close in case someone found him. Our dog has my cell number on his tags. Our dog is getting up in age and cannot see very well. He also has no survival instinct and will try to step out in front of cars when we wait at corners. I was concerned that he would be hit by a car while he strolled through the neighborhood. Fortunately a woman found him and picked him up. Schatzie got to go for a ride in her car until we were able to arrange the transfer. I'm so glad she took time out of her day to help our little guy. 

There were also kind people looking out for one of my friends this week too. She was gifted with an anonymously free coffee at Starbucks and it made her day. 

In the midst of an earthquake and hurricanes, I see reports of people going out of their way to help others. Sometimes people are even risking their lives for strangers. It's horrifying that these tragedies are occurring, but there is also a beauty in the kindness people are offering.

Once more this was a week where political news stressed me out,  but it is great to be reminded that most people in the world want to help others and make the world a better place for all people.

Monday, September 18, 2017

It's Monday! What are you reading?


It's Monday! What are you Reading? is a meme hosted by Kathryn at Book Date. It's a great way to recap what you read and/or reviewed the previous week and to plan out your reading and reviews for the upcoming week. It's also a great chance to see what others are reading right now...you just might discover your next “must-read” book!

Kellee Moye, of Unleashing Readers, and Jen Vincent, of Teach Mentor Texts decided to give It's Monday! What Are You Reading? a kidlit focus. If you read and review books in children's literature - picture books, chapter books, middle grade novels, young adult novels, anything in the world of kidlit - join us! We love this meme and think you will, too. We encourage everyone who participates to visit at least three of the other kidlit book bloggers that link up and leave comments for them.

If you want to know more about what I've been reading, visit my Goodreads shelf.

Last Week on the Blog:
Last Week in Books:






I've read quite a few picture books again this week. The ones are above stood out the most. The Purloining of Prince Oleomargarine was amusing and also extremely unique. Philip & Erin Stead really captured the humor of Mark Twain in this collaboration. La La La is another interesting collaboration. It's an absolutely gorgeous book that grows in beauty with each read. I read three picture book biographies and they were very well done. I learned things in each book and I'm eager to share them. I especially loved learning that in his classification system, Karl Linneas created a class called Paradoxa for those animals that may or may not exist like unicorns. A Greyhound A Groundhog is a fabulous tongue twister that begs to be read aloud. Rapunzel has a wonderful twist and made me smile.

The Coming Week:
I'm continuing to read tons of picture books for a committee I am on and am loving the opportunity. I am reading an adult book for a book club, You're the Only One I Can Tell, about women and friendships. I'm not sure what else I will get to this week. Have a great week of reading!

Reading Challenge Updates:
Goodreads Challenge 2017 - 525/550
Diversity on the Shelf 2017 - 198/225 (goal = 50% of my books by and/or about POC)
#OwnVoices Challenge - 112/125
#MustReadin2017 - 21/24

Sunday, September 17, 2017

Celebrate!


Ruth Ayres has a link-up on weekends where people link to posts that are celebrations about their week. I love this reminder to celebrate every week.


This has been a week with many lovely moments. A new yarn shop opened last month and I entered a drawing via Instagrm. Earlier this week I went and picked up my gift. They gave me local yarn and two fun kits.

I also did something new with a friend. We've watched three episodes of a k-drama together - but apart. She is in California and I'm here in WI, but we watched simultaneously and texted back and forth. I know this isn't a new activity for a lot of people, but it was for me. It was a fun way to watch.


International Dot Day was Friday and I was able to mark that day with students. One grade read The Dot by Peter Reynolds and another read I Don't Draw, I Color and then we did some drawing on the iPads. The students really enjoyed making things digitally.

To end the week, our neighborhood had a block party. The block we live on was closed off and many of the neighbors got together to have a cookout. It was really nice to get to know people a little better. We've only lived in this house for six months so we hadn't met everyone yet and even those we had met, we didn't know very well. The weather was perfect, the food was yummy, and the conversations were excellent.

September 11th is a vivid reminder that life is not without loss and challenges. Each year it gets farther away, but the effects of the events that day are still being felt in our country and around the world. In spite of pain and difficulties in life, I'm very thankful to wake up each day and am trying to live by Amy Krouse Rosenthal's encouragement to "Make the most of your time here."

Sunday, September 10, 2017

It's Monday! What are you reading?


It's Monday! What are you Reading? is a meme hosted by Kathryn at Book Date. It's a great way to recap what you read and/or reviewed the previous week and to plan out your reading and reviews for the upcoming week. It's also a great chance to see what others are reading right now...you just might discover your next “must-read” book!

Kellee Moye, of Unleashing Readers, and Jen Vincent, of Teach Mentor Texts decided to give It's Monday! What Are You Reading? a kidlit focus. If you read and review books in children's literature - picture books, chapter books, middle grade novels, young adult novels, anything in the world of kidlit - join us! We love this meme and think you will, too. We encourage everyone who participates to visit at least three of the other kidlit book bloggers that link up and leave comments for them.

If you want to know more about what I've been reading, visit my Goodreads shelf.

Last Week on the Blog:
Last Week in Books:

This was the first longer week of school so I didn't finish any novel length books, but I did read a ton of picture books. Here are some that stood out.








The Coming Week:
I'm almost finished with You Bring the Distant Near by Mitali Perkins and I'll be reviewing it over at Rich in Color next week. I will likely read some more picture books also. Have a great week.

Reading Challenge Updates:
Goodreads Challenge 2017 - 495/550
Diversity on the Shelf 2017 - 197/225 (goal = 50% of my books by and/or about POC)
#OwnVoices Challenge - 111/125
#MustReadin2017 - 21/24

#MustReadin2017


#MustReadin2017

Thanks to Carrie Gelson at There is a Book for That, I have read quite a few titles from my TBR. I appreciate this reading challenge she offers each year.

At the beginning of the year I chose the 24 titles pictured above. So far I've been able to read 21 of them (all but the last three in the image above). I enjoyed every single one of them so far. Some of the standouts have been:

Want - a fabulous sci-fi by Cindy Pon set in Taipei
When Dimple Met Rishi - a lovely romance by Sandhya Menon
Amina's Voice - a sweet middle grade book by Hena Khan about family, community, and being yourself
Bad Feminist - an excellent nonfiction collection of essays by Roxane Gay about feminism
Juliet Takes a Breath - by Gabby Rivera, this novel shows us an awesome human learning, growing and making mistakes.
Here We Are: Feminism for the Real World - Kelly Jensen collected a very diverse and interesting set of essays and other creative formats that share various aspects of feminism.

Of the final books, I will likely read the Misty Copeland book, but Shine is not available through my library or inter-library loan and the publication date for American Road Trip has been pushed to 2018, so I likely won't get to that one. Setting my goal a little lower this year has paid off. :)

Sunday, September 3, 2017

It's Monday! What are you reading?


It's Monday! What are you Reading? is a meme hosted by Kathryn at Book Date. It's a great way to recap what you read and/or reviewed the previous week and to plan out your reading and reviews for the upcoming week. It's also a great chance to see what others are reading right now...you just might discover your next “must-read” book!

Kellee Moye, of Unleashing Readers, and Jen Vincent, of Teach Mentor Texts decided to give It's Monday! What Are You Reading? a kidlit focus. If you read and review books in children's literature - picture books, chapter books, middle grade novels, young adult novels, anything in the world of kidlit - join us! We love this meme and think you will, too. We encourage everyone who participates to visit at least three of the other kidlit book bloggers that link up and leave comments for them.

If you want to know more about what I've been reading, visit my Goodreads shelf.


Last Week on the Blog:
Last Week in Books:

I don't generally watch much television. This summer I caught up on Dr. Who since they announced the next doctor, but that is about all I had seen until this past week. After reading Maureen Goo's I Believe in a Thing Called Love I just had to watch a Korean drama. At the end of the book, Goo provides some suggested titles. Since I wanted something fun and I enjoy music, I chose You're Beautiful. It was really silly at times and had me laughing out loud. It also had me crying once in a while. There are many moments which had me rolling my eyes over the melodrama, but it was wonderful except that I was a little obsessed and watched 16 episodes in 6 days. That kept me too busy for much reading or blogging. It was actually nice to switch it up for a bit right before school started. I'm listening to some of the music as I type. 


Bulldozer Helps Out is super cute. I would never have thought of mixing big machinery and the particular animals that show up in this book, but it works really well.  Trudy's Big Swim is a fascinating look at Gertrude Ederle's amazing swim across the English Channel. Scapegoats: How Islamophobia Helps Our Enemies and Threatens Our Freedoms is obviously not for children. Iftikhar shares his experiences as a Muslim American and the trends he has seen in the ways Muslims are being treated here. I am thankful he continues to share his experiences through his writing and in the news even though it has to get tiring explaining over and over to people who don't seem to listen. The Dinner That Cooked Itself is a sweet fairytale from China. We Are Shining is a lovely poem of affirmation by Gwendolyn Brooks that honors her 100th birthday.


The Coming Week:
I'll be reading You Bring the Distant Near by Mitali Perkins. I'm really looking forward to it. I am also hoping to get Adam Silvera's new book They Both Die at the End. I will also likely read quite a few picture books. How about you?

Reading Challenge Updates:
Goodreads Challenge 2017 - 454/550
Diversity on the Shelf 2017 - 196/225 (goal = 50% of my books by and/or about POC)
#OwnVoices Challenge - 111/125
#MustReadin2017 - 21/24

Saturday, September 2, 2017

Celebrate!


Ruth Ayres has a link-up on weekends where people link to posts that are celebrations about their week. I love this reminder to celebrate every week.


This week had some unexpected surprises to celebrate. I knew there were going to be special bicycle events this weekend, but didn't realize they would be such unique activities. I participated a few years ago and went on a birding bicycle trek. Once I went on the ice cream ride. This time it was a poetry ride. Seriously. It is part of the Hear, Here community story project. We used our bicycles to get to several locations in the project. At each spot, we stopped to listen to a poem and briefly discuss the poem and/or the space. It was a wonderful way to see and experience our city.

The next bicycle event was a yoga ride. A train created a diversion and we had to take a slightly different route than we expected, but that made the trip more interesting. We did a little train meditation while we waited briefly before heading over to a different crossing. We made it to the yoga studio and had an hour of yoga before our leisurely ride back through town. 

The rides were more about connecting with each other than exercising or getting somewhere. Connecting with others makes life so much more meaningful. Speaking of connecting - we had our Open House on Wednesday evening and we started school on Friday. Seeing families and returning students and new students made my week. I love the first week even though it is more than a little exhausting. Everyone seems to be excited and hopeful with a fresh start to the year. Summer is truly coming to a close, but fall has all kinds of wonderful opportunities for us and I'm eager to see what the new school year will bring.