October is Celebrating the Bilingual Child Month

During the month of October join in the Celebrating the Bilingual Child Month!  This month is to recognize the many children who speak two or more languages and understand multiple cultures.  These children connect our communities and can play a big part in improving global communications.  Check out the SERC Library's catalog for bilingual books at http://serc-verso.auto-graphics.com/iluminar/home.asp?lid=serc#Iluminar or check out your local Library.

Bonne Fête Nationale! (Happy Bastille Day!)

Il est le quatorzième de Juillet, et en France, c'est Jour de l'Indépendance! La Bibliothèque SERC collection des Jeunes a une section dédiée français, avec des titres tels que:
 
It is the fourteenth of July, and in France it is Independence Day! The SERC Library Young People's collection has a dedicated French section, with titles such as:

Food / La nourriture, By Barron's Educational Series (YP-FR F BAR)

Cuddly and colorful teddy bears teach new words to very young children - in both English and French! Barron's Bilingual First Books give little boys and girls an early start in learning a foreign language along with their own. Des oursons adorables et sympathiques enseignent aux enfants des mots nouvelles - en anglais et en français! Les Premieres Livres Bilingues de Barron's permettent aux enfants de s'initier une deuxieme langue ainsi que d'apprendre la leur initial.

Goodnight everyone / Bonne nuit à tous, by Lone Morton (YP-FR F MOR)

It's Martha's bedtime, but first she has to say goodnight to all her cuddly friends: teddy, penguin, monkey and little mouse. They're all tucked in...but will there be room for Martha? This delightful, appealing story has colorful illustrations and an easy-to-read text in both English and French. C'est l'heure du coucher de Marthe, mais d'abord qu'elle a à dire bonsoir à tous ses amis en peluche: Teddy, pingouin, le singe et la petite souris. Ils sont tous rentré po...mais il y aura place pour Martha? Ce superbe histoire appel a des illustrations colorées et faciles à lire le texte en anglais et en français.

My house / Ma maison, By Berlitz Kids (YP-FR F BER)

This interactive book teaches child friendly words in two languages. Meet this fun family and take a tour of their home. Each room has flaps you can lift to discover a surprise underneath! The book includes colorful illustrations and plenty of useful words in both French and English. Ce livre interactif apprend aux enfants, paroles amicales dans les deux langues. Rencontrez-vous familial et visite guidée de leur maison. Chaque chambre dispose de volets que vous pouvez soulever pour découvrir une surprise en dessous! Le livre comprend des illustrations colorées et beaucoup de mots utiles en français et en anglais. 
 

National Poetry Month

as the buds peek out
from silken nests of green lace
the poet awakes

swirling through the stream
baby fish jump rainbows, while
words jump to my page

rhythm and buddha
and a compulsion to dream
bring poets to peace

full of life, April
heralds nothing so sweetly
sung as poetry



Can there be a more appropriate time of year to celebrate words than the lovely month of April? As the gentle hush of spring sweeps in and signs of nature's rebirth abound, we turn to the delectable sounds of syllables, of semantics, of poetry.

For some of the events surrounding this illustrious month, check out Poets.org, the most comprehensive web resource for poetry. There you'll find thousands of poem in an easily searchable database, as well as audio, video, essays and interviews. In honor of National Poetry Month, you can sign up to receive Poem-A-Day e-mails from Poets.org. You'll also find plenty of information about Poem In Your Pocket Day, which is exactly what it sounds like. The idea is to select a favorite poem and carry it with you all day on April 29, 2010. Whether you share it with friends, stage an impromptu reading on a crowded street, or simply peek at it yourself throughout the day, having a poem in your pocket is like having your own little secret treasure, and it can make the world just a little bit lovelier.

And of course, no post would be complete without a list of some of our favorite materials from our own collection. So next time you visit the SERC Library, be sure to check out:


Welcome to the world: A celebration of birth and babies from many cultures, Compiled by Nikki Siegen-Smith (YP 808.819354 SIE)

This gorgeous anthology combines black and white photography of infants with poems by an array of celebrated poets from around the world. From Ireland's Eavan Boland to England's D.H. Lawrence to anonymous authors from New Zealand and Cambodia, this book will awe you, inspire you, and remind you that we are all human and we are all born innocent.


Embracing the sky: Poems beyond disability, by Craig Romkema (811.6 ROM)

Here you will find pieces that encompass everything a good poetry collection should: an intertwining of desolation and appreciation that cleverly come together to reflect on all of the ugliness and beauty found in this world. The author is a young man with cerebral palsy and autism, and this is his way of both highlighting what it's like to live with disabilities and transcending it, by taking us into his mind and dissolving the difference between us.


When the horses ride by: Children in the times of war, Poems by Eloise Greenfield, Illustrations by Jan Spivey Gilchrist (YP 811.54 GRE)

This is another book in which the visuals are as stunning as the written words. The two mediums combine to paint a stark, yet ultimately hopeful, portrait of war and the effect it has on children. Here is a short poem featured in the book:

Voices
I hear their voices
mixing with the sounds of war.
Too much noise, almost
drowning out their words,
drowning out my thoughts.
Almost.


Teaching with fire: Poetry that sustains the courage to teach, Edited by Sam M. Intrator & Megan Scribner (808.81 INT)

The editors of this book have compiled eighty-eight poems and paired each one up with mini-essays by teachers reflecting on how the poem has touched his or her life. Featuring works by such well-known poets as Pablo Neruda, Walt Whitman, Adrienne Rich and Hartford's own Wallace Stevens, as well as a lot of helpful information on how to incorporate poetry into your curriculum, this book is highly recommended for educators and anyone looking for a little inspiration.


The tree is older than you are: A bilingual gathering of poems and stories from Mexico with paintings by Mexican artists, Selected by Naomi Shihab Nye (YP-SP 860.9 NYE)

The poetry contained within this volume speaks of the timelessness of nature and the endurance of the human spirit. This dynamic array of poems includes both the original Spanish and translated English versions, and is ideal for bilingual classrooms and curricula with a multicultural focus.

The SERC Library encourages drive-by poeting in the comments!

World Folk Art and Fables Week, March 22-28

The end of March ushers in not only the first peek of springtime, but also an international celebration of cultural history with World Folk Art and Fables Week. From ancient Rome to the dynasties of China to the native tribes of the Americas, folk stories are a fundamental part of our human history, and indeed they are one of the few commonalities shared by all cultures. The most wonderful thing about fables is the way that they seamlessly weave together entertainment and education, sweeping you up into a web of human tradition and spirit while also leaving you with valuable lessons. We're all familiar with Aesop's Fables, but there are thousands of lesser known tales of equal value, including some that can be found right here in the SERC Library!

Native American Animal Stories, Told by Joseph Bruchac (YP F BRU)
Though this 136-page book is located in our Young People's collection, the stories and illustrations within will entertain those of all ages. With 24 legends from tribes such as the Hopi, Mohawk, Tlingit and Dakota Sioux, as well as maps, tribal nation descriptions, and a glossary, this book will enrich your understanding of Native American history and legend.



The People Could Fly: American Black Folktales, told by Virginia Hamilton (YP F HAM)
This award-winning 178-page anthology presents a wealth of stories. Divided into categories like animal tales, fantasy, supernatural, and slave tales of freedom, the literature presented here will excite you, inspire you, amuse you...and maybe even scare you!



Golden Tales: Myths, Legends, and Folktales from Latin America, by Lulu Delacre (YP F DEL)
This 80-page book is filled with exciting tales from countries such as Bolivia, Mexico, and Cuba. But it is the gorgeous full color oil painting illustrations that really bring this book to life, along with all of its heroes, monsters, and fantastical creatures.



Afterwards: Folk and Fairy Tales with Mathematical Ever Afters, by Peggy Kaye (IM 372.7044 KAY)
This two-part series intersperses math lessons with classic stories to enhance children's understanding of the material, with one book designated for grades 1-2 and the other for grades 3-4. From measuring the growth of Rapunzel's hair to arranging Baba Yaga's dinner table to outwitting the trickster Anansi himself, these books are a unique way for teachers to combine math and literature.



Working Together: Building Children's Social Skills Through Folk Literature, by Gwendolyn Cartledge & James Kleefeld (IM 303.32 CAR)
This unique multimedia kit uses folktales from around the world to teach social skills to children in grades 3-6. It includes dozens of activities designed to enhance vital skills, including time management, respecting others, negotiation conflict and speaking positively. The kit comes with 5 audiotapes and 31 posters to aid with the lessons.


The Book of Virtues: A Treasury of Great Moral Stories, edited by William J. Bennett (FAM 808.8038 BEN)
We placed this book into our Family collection because there are few things that can bind a family together like shared stories and memories. In this colossal 832-page volume the author uses well-known tales to illustrate 10 key tenets of the human condition, such as demonstrating compassion with "The Little Match Girl" and courage with "Chicken Little", along with scores of others ranging from Greek myths to the Gettysburg Address. Why not take a cue from the simpler times these stories convey and turn off the television in favor of sharing a story or two with your own family?

Award-Winnning Films At The SERC Library

With the winter break approaching and cold, wintery weather ahead, why not drop by and check out a few good movies to wile away the time and educate the mind. Here is just a small sampling of some of the wonderful movies at the SERC Library.

Accidental Hero - Room 408: 2001 winner of "Best Documentary" of the Ashland Independent Film Festival & 2002 Gold Eagle Award - CINE, this powerful film tells the story of an extaordinary public high school teacher who is changing lives by introducing his students to a little known academic sport called "forensics". This documentary has important messages about the tremendous potential that young people from diverse backgrounds can realize when they are given the support of good teachers and ample educational tools.

King Gimp: Winner of the 1999-2000 Academy Award for Short Documentary, this film follows Dan Keplinger (who has cerebral palsy) for 13 years as he moves from a special education school to the mainstream. Unable to communicate easily with words, Dan's emotional life explodes on to canvas when he discovers art.

Autism Is A World: Nominated for an Academy Award, this is a personal look at autism through the eyes of a young woman, Sue Rubin. It offers a rare and compelling voyage into Sue's mind, her daily world, and her struggles with autism. With the help of a new assistive technology technique, a letterboard, Sue was able to connect with the world. Now a junior in college with a top IQ, she is a tireless disability-rights activist.

Educating Peter: Down Syndrome In The Inclusive Classroom: Filmed over the course of the third grade year, this 1992 Academy Award-winning documentary vividly captures the achievements & frustrations of Peter (a child with Down syndrome) as he makes a place for himself among his peers.

Snowbound? Not to worry. The SERC Library has a generous 3-week loan period.

Global Education: Using Technology to Bring the World to Your Students (370.116078 PET)

Eleventh graders in Bangladesh exchange video interviews with 10th graders in Georgia. High schools in Illinois have online discussions with students in six languages. Students across the globe contribute to a shared website on endangered animal species from their areas. This innovative book presents ideas which educators can use to integrate global education into lessons in their K-12 classrooms. A sampling of exciting global education projects from around the world demonstrate ways to help students connect with their peers across global boundaries. Read about the Flat Classroom Project, iEarn, the Global Schoolhouse Project, ePals and many more!

Farewell, Reading Rainbow

The year was 1983. The hair was big, the leg warmers were bright, and the music was cheesy. Amidst all this a little show by the name of Reading Rainbow began to air on PBS. Hosted by LeVar Burton, the show was special because it encouraged kids to read for pleasure, rather than out of obligation. From the moment the memorable theme song kicked off one felt like they were entering another world, much like the feeling of losing oneself in a favorite book. This was a world where words and illustrations sprung to life, where there were no limits on how far one's imagination could go, and where children ruled.
As the eighties have given way to the nineties and then to the new millennium, there has been a tangible shift in the way literacy is looked at. Today the focus is more on the mechanics of teaching children how to read rather than encouraging their innate love for a good book. Sadly, due to this changed educational climate and complications with funding, it was announced last week that Reading Rainbow is no more. Though the last episode aired on Friday, August 28th, the lasting impression this show had on its audience is undeniable, as evidenced by the outpouring of support for this underrated gem since the announcement. Say the name LeVar Burton to any child of the eighties and there is a very good chance they will think not of his work on Roots and Star Trek, but of this:



On a personal note, I was 2 when this show began and my voracious love for reading from such a young age is no doubt due at least a little to the wonder of Reading Rainbow and the good fortune I had in being able to watch it throughout my childhood. Thanks LeVar and company! Your presence will be missed.