In memory of Dr. King

Why do we celebrate Dr. King's birthday as a national holiday? According to Wikepedia; The holiday was signed into law in 1983 by then president Ronald Reagon.  It is a floating holiday celebrated on the 3rd Monday of January every year.   A few states fought against this celebration of a private citizen and it wasn't until 2000 that all states got on board and celebrated this day as a national holiday. 

King is the only private citizen honored with a holiday because many feel his dedication to the Civil Rights Movement and to peace across this great land were worthy struggles.  He gave his life in the pursuit of equality for all American citizens. There are many wonderful books about Dr. King and his wife, Coretta Scott King, in the library. If you want to learn more research his life and what he stood for.

Dr. King's speeches are memorable.  He talked about freedom, peace, believing in your own power, and was an anti-war activist.  Here is avideo of his "I have a dream" speech.  Look at the video and check out how many people are listening to him.  How does your dreams for the future fit with Dr. King's ideals?

Beyond enjoying your day off today I hope you can continue his dream of action.  What can you do to help another person?  With kindness week approaching and a 4th and 5th grade food drive I am sure we will have many opportunities to celebrate Dr. King's memory.

April is National Poetry Month

A poem a day:

April is the Coolest Month

by Douglas Florian

It's said April's the cruelest month,
But I say it's the coolest month.
The grass grows green.
The flowers bloom.
Most all the outdoor sports resume.
The weather warms.
The terns return.
On nature walks we talk and learn.
There's no more ice.
There's no more snow.
The creeks and brooks and rivers flow.
It's time to fish
Or climb a tree.
It's when we worship poetry.
And April's when
Our TAX is due.


Perhaps it is the cruelest, too.

http://gottabook.blogspot.com/2011/04/douglas-florian-april-is-coolest-month.html

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/841035608/poetry-spread-the-word

Holiday Hoopla!!

Dear Teacher;

Please surprise me with something fun this week, something that will take my mind off the fact that Santa doesn't come to my house in  a big way.  Help me to see the magic of the holiday because I don't have anyone at home to read bedtime stories to me, bake cookies with me or even to play with me over the long winter break.  Even though I don't always show it, I like school and YOU more than home.  I need something exciting to happen this week to keep my mind on my work and off my troubles.

Thank you for understanding my need for a little extra sleigh bell sound, a little extra hug, a little extra time with joy.  It's important to learn about this tradition  of giving even if it doesn't all make sense to me-tell me about it so I can grow up and make good family traditions of my own.

With warmest holiday wishes,
Your students

Two great clips are here:

The Polar Express (Lou Diamond Phillips reads this classic )
Twas the Night Before Christmas (a great video version)
A little elf told me 3rd grade did a fantastic reader's theatre of this book!!

Many exciting titles and movies are available in the library like this Q and A book, Mrs. Claus answers the real questions kids ask...which could be used as the beginning of a wonderful writing assignment!! 

Ho Ho Ho!!

Howling for Halloween

Reading Halloween books this week to a few classes makes me want to share some Halloween book love.

Halloween books give me special credence to use all sorts of fun voices for read-alouds!  Students are thrilled as I stomp around our reading circle reading these favorites.

1.  The Perfect Pumpkin Pie by Denys Cazet:  I love pie and this book makes a great read-aloud about a dead man's love for pie. 
This book has a marvelously fun refrain about pumpkin pie with delightful illustrations.

2. That Terrible Halloween Night by James Stevenson:  Louie and Mary Ann think they have Grandpa tricked when he doesn't know that October 31st is Halloween but it's really Grandpa tricking them.  Kids love the speech bubbles in the illustrations and the ending had everyone thinking!!

3. The Three Bears' Halloween by Kathy Duvall: Mama, Papa and Baby Bear dress up for Halloween and trick-or-treat around the forest.  When they find a house door open they venture in...A funny take on Goldilocks, kids love it when they figure out the story is the reverse of the original. 

4. Where's My Mummy by Carolyn Crimi:  Little  Baby Mummy wants to play one more round of Hide and Shriek and runs away from Big Mama Mummy.  When she doesn't come looking for him, he has to search for  her in some unusual places.  John Manders illustrations show us a perfectly creepy graveyard with a wildly un-frightning but fun cast of characters.  This also has some easy repitition for young ones to repeat with you. 

5. Boris and Bella also by Carolyn Crimi:  A romantic tale of a friendship that forms between Bella Lagrossi and Boris Kleanitoff-one messy and one tidy vampire, both wishing to host a Halloween Bash.  Everyone heads to Harry Beastie's party instead as he's neither messy or too clean.  Cris Grimly illustrates this one for Crimi and they are perfectly spooky!  Crimi is the only author on this list to have their own website...such a shame!!  I think it should be a requirement for publishing houses to get a website up and running for an author with a few books under their belt, at least!  [soap box moment]

I discovered this interesting interview with Crimi at Make It Better, a North Shore publication.

Check out these fun Halloween Sites:

Pumpkin Carving Artist
Pumpkin Nook