Celebrate!

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

I don't have much time to write this morning. I need to run to the store, the post office, and the library before we drive a few hours to Madison to go to a powwow. It should be a lot of fun. I'll also have a short visit with my son there too. This is an impulse trip since I didn't know about the powwow until Thursday evening, but impulsive things have been good this week.

On Wed. night I went to craft night and while there found out that Many Moccasins was going to be performing at the local university that night. All of a sudden my plans changed. Their group performs many traditional dances, but also includes some more modern forms and music. The strong drum beat throughout many of the songs pulsed in the air and through our bodies. The energy and beauty of the dances really made it a night to remember.

Another celebration is that my cold and migraine have faded. I had to leave school one day this week because I was feeling so horrible. I am celebrating effective medication and the ability to take time off of work without fear of penalty or loss of pay.

Another celebration is that we were able to purchase a TumbleBook Library subscription and many students were able to enjoy some very fun reading this week using that library of ebooks.

While I was home feeling crummy, I was able to listen to a book on CD and experiment with papel picado. I enjoyed following the designs that Carmen Lomas Garza shared in her book Making Magic Windows.

The best part of the week was having my son home for Easter and sharing a wonderful meal together on Sunday. Those times are precious and we are thankful to have time with each other.

I hope you have a week filled with many big and small celebrations.

Review: Everything You Wanted to Know About Indians But Were Afraid to Ask

Title: Everything You Wanted to Know About Indians But Were Afraid to Ask
Author: Anton Treuer
Publisher: Borealis Books
Pages: 190
Review Copy: Library
Availability: On shelves now

Summary: “I had a profoundly well-educated Princetonian ask me, ‘Where is your tomahawk?’ I had a beautiful woman approach me in the college gymnasium and exclaim, ‘You have the most beautiful red skin.’ I took a friend to see Dances with Wolves and was told, ‘Your people have a beautiful culture.’ . . . I made many lifelong friends at college, and they supported but also challenged me with questions like, ‘Why should Indians have reservations?’ ”

What have you always wanted to know about Indians? Do you think you should already know the answers—or suspect that your questions may be offensive? In matter-of-fact responses to over 120 questions, both thoughtful and outrageous, modern and historical, Ojibwe scholar and cultural preservationist Anton Treuer gives a frank, funny, and sometimes personal tour of what’s up with Indians, anyway.

• What is the real story of Thanksgiving?
• Why are tribal languages important?
• What do you think of that incident where people died in a sweat lodge?

White/Indian relations are often characterized by guilt and anger. Everything You Wanted to Know about Indians But Were Afraid to Ask cuts through the emotion and builds a foundation for true understanding and positive action.

Review: Many non-Native people have ideas about what it means to be Indian. They may or may not ask the questions that bounce around in their heads. They may not even know which questions they would ask if given a chance. In this book, Anton Treuer shares his answers to many questions and "offers a critical first step to comfortably dispel erroneous imaginings and develop deeper understandings."

This is a good beginning place for learning about Indians. It isn't meant to be exhaustive, but attempts to provide answers to common questions in a way that is easy to understand. He took very complex issues and explained them simply and with diplomacy.

As he delved into the history, he noted, "We cannot afford to sugarcoat the dark chapters of our history, as we have for decades upon decades." He brings some of the dark moments out into the light - not for purposes of making people feel guilty - but to see that these moments aren't repeated and to work towards healing.

Along with history, Treuer focuses on terminology, religion, culture & identity, powwow, tribal languages, politics, economics, education, and the future. He covers many topics, but they are in small bite size pieces for the most part. The book isn't necessarily meant to be read cover to cover in one sitting.

There were several things that stood out to me as an educator in Wisconsin. The first big revelation was The Great Seal of the Territory of Wisconsin (you can see it here). The Latin caption on the seal says "Civilization Succeeds Barbarism" and there is an Indian facing west towards a steamship. This would likely be one of the Ho-Chunk who were forcibly moved to Nebraska. I have seen the state seal, but hadn't ever looked at the territory seal. This would definitely be something to look at critically with students when discussing the history of Wisconsin and the perception of settlers in the 1800s. It would also create space for discussion of the Ho-Chunk perspective.

The explanations surrounding sovereignty were also helpful, but another thing that really stood out was the questions and answers around tribal language. He noted that tribal languages "are defining features of nationhood." He also noted that tribal languages should be important to all U.S. citizens. He states, "the survival of tribal languages and cultures is a litmus test for the morality of our nation and its ability to provide for the needs of all of its citizens."

Throughout the book there are issues that could generate guilt or anger, but Treuer points out that these emotions aren't going to fix anything. Fortunately, he also includes a section about what people can do moving forward.

This is a great book for educators, but I would recommend it to anyone who has gathered knowledge of Indians primarily via history classes and the media.

Extras:
An excerpt of the book may be found at Indian Country Today Media Network
An Interview with Anton Treuer on Minnesota Public Radio

-- Cover image and summary via Goodreads

What Do You See?

Today I'm sharing a few books that focus on seeing or making something to see. 

Some of my practice papel picado

Making Magic Windows: Creating Papel Picado/Cut-Paper Art with Carmen Lomas Garza

by Carmen Lomas Garza

Goodreads summary: Author Carmen Lomas Garza is a pioneer in popularizing the traditional Mexican craft of papel picado in the United States and developing it into a sophisticated art form. This workbook shows children and their families how to create these beautiful papel picado designs and banners by simply folding and cutting tissue paper. Children will learn how to craft eight different traditional designs, including The Four Cardinal Points, a design reminiscent of the four points of a compass; Tiles, echoing the colorful hand-painted tiles that decorate many Mexican buildings; and The Fan, one of the artist's favorite designs, consisting of leaves, hummingbirds, and flowers.

My thoughts: Last year for El día de los niños/El día de los libros, my students and I made simple papel picado to help decorate the entrance of our school. When I was looking at the Pura Belpré winners later, I saw Magic Windows by Carmen Lomas Garza. That led me to what appears to be this companion book Making Magic Windows. She gives step-by-step instructions for creating wonderful papel picado with scissors or even with a craft knife. I don't know if I will go that far, but I may invite some of the older students to try this more complicated cutting this year rather than the more simple designs we used before. I had a fun time trying out some of her designs.

Review copy: Public library book

Mysterious Patterns: Finding Fractals in Nature by Sarah C. Campbell

Photographs by Sarah C. Campbell and Richard P. Campbell

Goodreads summary: We see familiar shapes in nature all around us—this orange looks like a sphere, that icicle a cone, those cucumbers are almost cylinders. But trees, clouds, or broccoli—what shapes are they? In this photo-filled conceptual picture book, young readers will not only get an introduction to those amazing and naturally repeating patterns called fractals, but they’ll also learn about what makes fractals unique. Curious kids will leave with a sense of wonder about the intricacies of the natural world and the many shapes around us!

My thoughts: I was excited to get this book if for no other reason than explaining what "frozen fractals" are and why they may be "all around" as we learned in Disney's Frozen. The photographs in the book are gorgeous and make the subject easy to understand. The text is written on quite a simple level and could be used even with primary grades. I had thought it would be aimed only at upper grades, but am happily mistaken. I can see that it would be fun to start drawing fractals after reading this.

Review copy: Purchased

Photos Framed: A Fresh Look at the World's Most Memorable Photographs 

by Ruth Thomson

Goodreads summary: Photographs can be beautiful or harrowing, honest or manipulative, dramatic or comforting. Photos Framed explores twenty-seven of the most important and vivid photos taken over the medium’s history, from a formal portrait of Louis Daguerre taken in 1844 to a candid shot of a Cuban girl and her doll in 2011. Readers are invited to use their powers of observation to zoom in on photographic elements, blow up details of the subject matter, think about the big picture, and pan out on the photographer. Photos Framed will open viewers’ eyes to the art of photography and its power to tell a story.

My thoughts: Many of the photos in this book will be familiar to readers and so will catch their attention. It's great to have some back story to the photos and to learn a bit about the photographers that took them. In addition to providing information, the book also asks the reader to think about many questions as they look at the photos. The questions don't necessarily have a right or wrong answer and no answer is provided. The questions may lead to some fantastic thinking or discussion in a classroom. When I read the book I immediately thought about our 5th grade unit on photo essays. The book would help in their discussion of photography used for storytelling and persuasion. There are sections breaking the photos into portraits, nature, art, and documentary. I found the photographs and text to be fascinating and am eager to share it with our art teacher and the fifth grade unit also.

Review copy: Copy via publisher (Candlewick)

Slice of Life

The Slice of Life Challenge was created by the people over at the blog Two Writing Teachers. The challenge is to write about some part of your day and share it each Tuesday then give feedback to at least three other bloggers.

Today I don't feel so very wonderful. I have a spring cold along with a few other aches and pains. My comfort drink is warm tea and my comfort food is cinnamon toast. My favorite chair, a book on CD and some tiny finches outside the window are also helping to make me feel a little better before I finally give in to the nap that is calling my name.

It's Monday! What are you reading?

It's Monday! What are you reading? is a meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journeys. Jen Vincent over at Teach Mentor Texts and Kellee Moye from Unleashing Readers decided to put a children's and YA spin on it and they invite anyone with an interest to join in. You can participate by creating your post then visit one of their sites to add your site. Finally, visit at least three participant blogs and comment to spread the love.

If you want to know more about what I am reading, visit me at my Goodreads shelf. Images via Goodreads unless otherwise noted.

The Past Week: 

I enjoyed my picture book choices this week. Orangutanka by Margarita Engle is playful poetry (using the tanka form) that suits the orangutans in the illustrations. Turtle's Race with Beaver by Joseph Bruchac was a story about a clever turtle and how cooperation can be a very good thing. I shared this with my third graders and they loved it. Abuelo is another nice picture book about a boy and his grandfather. The illustrations are by Raúl Colón and are fabulous. My Brother Charlie by Holly Robinson Peete and her daughter Ryan Elizabeth Peete, is a book about twins Callie and Charlie. Callie tells the story about how their family found out that Charlie has autism and what that has meant for Charlie and those around him. This would be a great book to share to start a conversation with young children about autism. Bintou's Braids by Sylvanie A. Diouf is a beautiful story about a young girl who is eager to have her hair done in braids like the older girls. She wants to grow up in a hurry. 

I also read the ARC (from the publisher) of the young adult dystopian book The Hunted by Matt de la Peña. It's the sequel to The Living and I really enjoyed it. I'll be reviewing it formally over on Rich in Color closer to its release date.

I re-read Gabi, A Girl in Pieces by Isabel Quintero and loved it the second time. I reviewed it over at Rich in Color. It's an amazing book and shouldn't be missed if you enjoy young adult lit.

Otherbound by Corinne Duyvis is a unique young adult fantasy that kept me guessing. I loved the characters and how they interacted with each other. 

The Coming Week:

I'm still listening to The Plague of Doves and the second Octavian Nothing book. I am close to finishing Everything You Wanted to Know About Indians But Were Afraid to Ask. It's an excellent resource. I started The Fishermen by Chigozie Obioma (an ARC I got at ALA), but got distracted by The Hunted so will start that one again this week. 

Reading Challenge Update

Diversity on the Shelf/Diverse Books - 62/100

Goodreads - 117/520

#MustRead2015 - 11/53

Diversity Reading Challenge - 8/12

Around the World With Books 2015

Celebreate

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

This week we had our music programs for 1st & 2nd grade and 3rd & 4th grade. It was fun to see the students dancing and singing around on the stage. Sometimes they are super silly, sometimes they're serious and sometimes they seem so filled with joy and excitement that they can't quite contain themselves.

We have two extra days off for Easter. My son is home from school so I took him and our exchange student to the National Eagle Center. Being in the same room with an Eagle is quite an experience. They are not that heavy - the one in this picture is about 10 pounds, but those talons are impressive. The eagles can exert up to 400 pounds of pressure with and have those nice sharp pointy tools too. Eek! I'm glad I'm not a fish or a rabbit.

Another bit of fun this week was coloring the Easter eggs. Our exchange student hadn't done this before. It's fun to see the eggs get darker and darker. After we were finished, I got a paint brush and used the dye on watercolor paper to make a painting too. Art is just so relaxing. 

Today, I am mostly celebrating that we are all together and have been enjoying each other's company this weekend. Oh, and we'll be enjoying the Badger game together tonight. Have a wonderful week.

#MustReadin2015 Update

Here's an update on my progress for the #MustReadin2015 hosted by Carrie Gelson. There are 53 books on my list. This is a much more manageable list that the one I made last year and includes the rest of the Pura Belpré books that I haven't finished yet.

I'm a bit behind as I should have read 14 books by this time of the year, but perhaps I'll make that up over summer. Ten isn't too bad though. Seven of them were nonfiction. I've been making more of an effort to read nonfiction lately, in part because of Alyson Beecher's nonfiction picture book month challenge.

My favorite nonfiction books from this bunch are Twenty-Two Cents, Because They Marched, and Little Melba and Her Big Trombone. And since I can never get enough of Frida Kahlo, Frida & Diego was another one that I sank into. 

I'm a huge fan of humor in my reading. One of my posts over at Rich in Color was about that. At the time, I included Cuba 15 in my list, but I hadn't read it yet. I just kept seeing it recommended as a funny book. That's why it landed on my #MustRead15 list. It was very fun and I would totally recommend it if you are looking for some smiles and laughter.

One of these was a re-read for me. I'm making my way through the Pura Belpré award and honor books. I knew that I had read My Family/En mi familia multiple times as a teacher years ago, but I wanted to make sure it was as I remembered it. Carmen Lomas Garza shares snapshots (her artwork) and accompanying Slice of Life narratives from her childhood family memories. It's a great mentor text for Slice of Life writing or personal narrative. It encouraged me to write down some of my own family memories.

Hidden Like Anne Frank: 14 True Stories of Survival was heartbreaking. It hadn't occurred to me that some of the people doing the hiding were profiting from the job. It also hadn't occurred to me that the reason that so many of the survivors came from wealthy families was that it was a costly endeavor. I don't know why I never realized that poor Jewish families didn't have much hope of survival.

Searching for Sarah Rector was another interesting look into a history I didn't know. The book did address Sarah Rector's disappearance, but was more of a look into the creation of Indian Territory and the statehood of Oklahoma. It is an interesting snapshot of the time period and the issues that arose through the oil boom.

Strike! The Farmworkers' Fight for Their Rights shared that time period very thoroughly. I hadn't known that there were also Filipino American workers who were also fighting. This book was a little dry for my taste, but I really appreciated all of the visuals.

Good Night, Captain Mama was a sweet look at a mother in the service who is leaving on a mission and explaining to her child why she must go. It's a nice book for children who have parents in the military, but it was a definitely a book for teaching rather than telling a story. It was okay for its purpose, but it felt very much like a book with a specific purpose.

I'm reading The Hunted by Matt de la Peña right now, but I'm not sure which of the others will come next. I hope you're having a great year of reading.