| November
2009

Education
for All
Dear Fellow Book Lovers:
The
National Education Association sponsors American Education
Week each November. This year marks the 88th annual celebration
of this special week. Schools all across America plan activities
to make children and young adults aware of the importance
of education. Such activities often include placing s a rose
on each teacher's desk, sponsoring a reception before or after
school for teachers, and holding school assemblies centered
around an education theme. There are numerous other ways that
education can be celebrated in school and public libraries.
Here are a few ideas:
Have
a special program for parents of preschool age children and
teach them ways to use books to interact with their children.
Help the very young understand the power of books by reading
aloud Petunia
(ages 4-8) by Roger Duvoisin. In this book, Petunia
becomes wise because she found a book.
Use Cassie's
Word Quilt (ages 4-8) by Faith Ringgold to introduce
a word activity where children make their own word squares.
All young children love Arthur, Marc Brown's charming character.
Read aloud Arthur's
Reading Race (ages 4-8) and then have children enter
a contest to name the most book titles.
Use this special week to help children of all ages understand
learning differences. Whittington
(ages 8- 12) by Alan Armstrong & illus. by S.D.
Schindler and Eleven
(ages 9-12) by Patricia Reilly Giff are two titles that
accomplish this.
Engage students in a discussion about literacy and why reading
affects a person's overall performance in school. You might
use the following titles:
The
Book Thief (ages 12-up) by Markus Zusak
NightJohn
(ages 10-14) by Gary Paulsen
Since American Education Week focuses on quality education
for all children, ask readers to take a look at novels that
deal with main characters that require with disabilities.
Random House offers the following books:
Tending
to Grace (ages 12-up) by Kimberly Fusco
Small
Steps (ages 10-12) by Louis Sachar
The
Acorn People (ages 12-up) by Ron Jones
Deenie
(ages 10-12) by Judy Blume
Quit
It (ages 8-12) by Marcia Byalick
Sponsor some type of writing project. Introduce readers to
books that celebrate the importance of writing. Books from
Random House include:
Read
a Rhyme, Write a Rhyme (all ages) by Jack Prelutsky
The
Fruit Bowl Project (ages 10-13) by Sarah Durkee
Harriet
the Spy (ages 9-12) by Louise Fitzhugh
Celebrate teachers by introducing books where some excellent
teachers and some rather odd ones lead students in unique
ways. Books from Random House include:
Magical
Ms. Plum (ages 8-11) by Bonny Becker & illus.
by Amy Portnoy
Pictures
of Hollis Woods (ages 9-12) by Patricia Reilly Giff
Sarny
(ages 10-12) by Gary Paulsen
The
Fabled Fourth Graders of Aesop Elementary School (ages
6-10) by Candace Fleming
Evolution,
Me & Other Freaks of Nature (ages 12-up) by Robin
Brande
Scat
(ages 10-12) by Carl Hiaasen
Discuss the idea that education may also include learning
a special skill from an older family member. It may be learning
to cook a special dish, working on cars, or the art of sewing.
Introduce the book Stitchin'
and Pullin': A Geen's Bend Quilt (ages 6-10) by
Patricia C. McKissack & illus. by Cozbi A. Cabrera. Then
have readers learn a skill passed down from family members
and document the learning process.
Finally, have a discussion about "Big Issues," or
"Big Ideas." A few suggestions from Random House
are:
Autumn
Winifred Oliver Does Things Different (ages 9-12)
by Kristin O'Donnel Tubb
The
Loud Silence of Francine Green (ages 12-up) by Karen
Cushman
The
Giver (ages 12-up) by Lois Lowry
Before
We Were Free (ages 12-up) by Julia Alvarez
Diamonds
in the Shadow (ages 12-up) by Caroline B. Cooney
Ringside,
1925 (ages 12-up) by Jen Bryant
The
Gadget (ages 12-up) by Paul Zindel
You may email me
at pscales@bellsouth.net.
Back to home.
Past
"Words from Pat Scales"
February
2003 - Welcome
March
2003 - Reader Guidance
June
2003 - Current Events
July
2003 - Summer Reading
August
2003 - Back to School
September
2003 - Banned Books
October
2003 - Halloween
November
2003 - Families
December
2003 - Book Fan Clubs
January/February
2004 - Dr. Seuss' 100th Birthday
March
2004 - Women's History Month
April
2004 - April Fool's Day
May
2004 - Summer Reading Lists
June
2004 - Spare Time in the Summer
July/August 2004 - The Olympics
are Here
September
2004 - Celebrate the Freedom to Read
October
2004 - Parents and Books
November
2004 - Children's Book Week
December
2004 - Holiday Giving
January
2005 - Promises and New Beginnings
February
2005 - Discovering the Arts, Part I
March
2005 - Discovering the Arts, Part II
April
2005 - Take a Field Trip Through Books
May
2005 - Growing, Growing, Gone
June
2005 - Summer Activities, Part I
July
2005 - Summer Activities, Part II
August
2005 - Summer Activities, Part III
September
2005 - Before School Starts Special Event
November
2005 - Imagine
December
2005 - 'Tis the Season for Celebration
January/February
2006 - Ellis Island and the Immigrant Experience
March
2006 - World of Play
April
2006 - National Library Week Changes Worlds
May
2006 - Sibling Appreciation Day
June
2006 - Rivers Flow Through Books: National Rivers Month
July
2006 - Reading Aloud
August
2006 - The New Kid
September
2006 - Banned Books Week
October
2006 - Get Active @ Your Library
November
2006 - More Books Please!
December
2006 - Where Dreams Come True
January
2007 - And the Winners Are
February
2007 - Truth & Honor
March
2007 - Writing for the Fun of It
April
2007 - A Journey Through Dewey @ Your Library
May
2007 - Dealing with Death and Grieving
June
2007 - Celebrating Fathers & Father Figures
July
2007 - Zoo Camp at Your Library
August
2007 - Poetry & Ogden Nash: A Tribute
September
2007 - Banned Books Ahoy! - Treasure Your Freedom to Read
October
2007 - Hitchcock: The Master of Suspense - Happy Halloween
November
2007 - Celebrate & Connect: Children's Book Week &
Thanksgiving
December
2007 - Reading Round-Up
January
2008 - A "New" and "Old" Resolution
February
2008 Pay-a-Compliment Through Books
March
2008 - Peace and Friendship
April
2008 - Summer Reading Plans
May
2008 - Cheers to Our Pets
June
2008 - Once Upon a Time: A World of Fantasy
July
2008 - From Sea to Shining Sea
August
2008 - Happiness Is
September
2008 - Pack a Backpack with Books
October
2008 - Behind the Mask
November
2008 - Celebrating Teachers
December
2008 - "Hi, Neighbor" Month
January
2009 - The President and His Team
February
2009 - Happy Birthday, Abe Lincoln
March
2009 - Spunky Girls
April
2009 - Worlds Connect
May 2009 - Older Americans
Month
June 2009 - Heroes @ Your
Library
July 2009 - To the Moon
August 2009 - I Can Do It:
How to Succeed In School
September 2009 - Fall
Hat Month
October 2009 - Read My
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