April is National Poetry Month

April is National Poetry Month

I attended WEMTA (Wisconsin Educational Media and Technology Association) Conference last week.  I met several Wisconsin authors and illustrators.  One illustrator/artist I visited with was Anne Horjus, a Dutch artist living in Baraboo, WI.  I was drawn to him and the magnificent puppets he brought to display.  In visiting with him, I learned about an eye-catching and intricate book/project he illustrated.  This book is titled Sleep by Charles Anthony Silvestri.  Silvestri wrote the poem for this book upon the request of Composer Eric Whitacre.  Originally, Whitacre wrote a choral work using Robert Frost's poem, "Stopping By Woods. "  He was not able to secure legal rights to use the Frost poem for publication so he asked his friend Charles Anthony Silvestri to create an original text.  From this poem Whitacre composed a spectacular Virtual Choir 2.0 performance of Sleep.  In learning more about Whitacre's Virtual Choir, singers from around the world record and upload their videos where the videos are synchronized into a single performance to create a virtual choir. 

I am amazed how poetry, music, and art intertwine in this impressive and unforgettable book and performance.  If you are interested in this book, there is a copy in each elementary library.  Be sure to connect with these artists in the various linked sites in this post. 

Natural Egg Dying

Natural Egg Dying

At the beginning of my teaching career I made natural egg dyes to color eggs with my second grade class as a part of a learning unit.  I cooked spinach, tea, coffee, onions, and much more.  I remember my neighbor (now my husband) across the hall in the apartment knocking on my door to tell me how smelly it was in the apartment building.  

I was absolutely delighted to recently find this article: How to Dye Easter Eggs Naturally With Everyday Ingredients.  I like how this article highlights some other ingredients for egg dying.  Some other ideas to consider experimenting with include: blueberries, cranberries, cayenne pepper, chili powder, coffee, spinach.  I am excited to try this again and I think this would be a fun, engaging experiment to try again with students.  How does natural egg dying make connection to science?  Research how colors in nature were once used by great artists for great works of art. Why is vinegar important in egg dying. Consider how long an egg should sit in the dye to obtain a subtle or rich color, predict how white eggs will produce a different color than brown eggs, and use a white crayon to draw a design on the egg before dying. 

Start experimenting with your students!  

The Reading Without Walls Challenge

The Reading Without Walls Challenge

Reading Without Walls is a nationwide program celebrating diversity and reading by the current National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, Gene Luen Yang.  Just as prescribed, Reading Without Walls challenges readers to 1. Read a book about a character who doesn't look like you or live like you; 2. Read a book about a topic you don't know much about; and 3. Read a book in a format that you don't normally read for fun (a chapter book, a graphic novel, a book in verse or an audio book).

As I have written in the past, I like to encourage students to expand their reading diet.  In considering the three criteria for this Challenge, readers will expand their reading diet along with learning about diverse characters to help better understand diverse students; students will also learn about new topics, and broaden student experiences reading a variety of genres. Consider downloading the Activity Kit to support Reading Without Walls for your classroom, including posters, activities, and completion certificates.

Pi Day 2017

Pi Day 2017

Some students think math is boring, other students hate math, thank goodness for those that love math!  One day a year, March 14th is a great day to show students that math is not boring and there is something to love about math.  Celebrate Pi Day! 

In researching Pi Day, I found the website TeachPi.org.  In highlighting some parts of this website, I feel Pi Books is a great place to explore.  If you have not read Sir Cumference and the Dragon of Pi (A Math Adventure), this story of Sir Cumference, Lady Di of Ameter, and Radius is a wonderful way to introduce the mathematical concept of pi.

TeachPi.org has activities, stories, songs, and much more! Some activities include crafts, contests, fun with digits, great eating activities, lessons, and projects. If you are looking for some great ideas to celebrate Pi Day TeachPi.org is a great place to start.