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?

Day of Remembrance

On this day in 1942, President Roosevelt signed executive order 9066 which authorized the military to relocate over 120,000 Japanese Americans from their homes to internment centers or relocation camps. In Canada, similar evacuation orders were established with over 22,000 people confined.

The SERC Library has a broad and comprehensive collection on multicultural education and diversity for a wide variety of cultural groups. If you would like to teach your children more about this period of American history we have the following items available for loan.

The Journey: Japanese Americans, Racism and Renewal - In this 40-page children's book, artist Sheila Hamanaka relives the history of the Japanese Americans and of her own family. During World War II, while her uncle was fighting in the American army, her parents were imprisoned, and her grandfather died in a U.S. concentration camp. The author/artist has created an extraordinary visual monument to the Japanese Americans, supplementing her original creation with prose that is unique and powerful. Grades 4 and up.

A Kid's Guide to Asian American History: More than 70 Activities - This 224-page resource by Valerie Petrillo offers over 70 activities that teach about the people, experiences and events that have shaped Asian American history. It has information on the culture, people, and history from various Asian countries such as China, Japan, Korea, Philippines, India, Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. It includes a section on Japanese internment camps. Grades 3-7.

Baseball Saved Us - In this 32-page children's book by Ken Mochizuki, a Japanese American boy learns to play baseball when he and his family are forced to live in an internment camp during World War II. In first person narrative, he tells how baseball gave all the boys a purpose while enduring injustice and humiliation and how their ability to play helps them after the war is over. Available in English and Spanish. Ages 8-11.

The Shadow of Hate: A History of Intolerance in America - This educational kit from Teaching Tolerance, with a 40-minute videotape, 128-page text, and 36-page teacher's guide focuses on events from three centuries in order to explore the history of intolerance in America and our country's ongoing struggle to live up to its ideals of liberty, equality, and justice. Through documentary footage and eyewitness reports, students are given a powerful perspective on historical events from the ordinary people who lived through them. Some of the events covered are the enslavement of African Americans, the Salem witch trials, the mistreatment of Native Americans, antisemitism, and the internment of Japanese Americans. Grades 6-12.

Please visit the SERC Library to look at these titles and more. Membership is free and we have a generous 3-week loan period.

Artwork by Henry Fukuhara, "Symbols of Manzanar, 2008"

Mastermind behind Wikipedia launches education video website

Larry Sanger, who co-founded Wikipedia, has started a new online community aimed at educators and students. The website, www.watchknow.org, features an extensive library of education-related videos for children from ages 3 to 18. It also offers indispensable advice to teachers through the video format. For example, a simple search on geometry, filtered for ages 17-18+, returns such results as: "Helpful Ways to Teach Geometry", "Quadrilateral Song" and "How to Solve Geometry Proofs". Users can create accounts that allow them to add videos and edit descriptions. Because of this reliance on users to both expand and organize the collection, Sanger himself has described WatchKnow as "YouTube meets Wikipedia". Though still in in its infancy, WatchKnow already has 11,762 videos (and counting!). Considering the scope of material available on sites like YouTube and Wikipedia, it is not unlikely to think that one day WatchKnow's collection could be truly powerful in its ability to harness the power of the internet by bringing together people and ideas on a global level. So bookmark WatchKnow, spread the word to your fellow educators, direct your children there, and most importantly, contribute your own unique talent and voice. And for now, check out these videos found by browsing the poetry section....

Shel Silverstein narrating his poem "Ickle Me, Pickle Me, Tickle Me Too":



T.S. Eliot narrating his poem "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock":



Langston Hughes narrating his poem "I, Too":

International Literacy Day!

Since 1967, September 8th of each year has been designated as International Literacy Day. Sponsored by the United Nations Education, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the International Reading Association, the day is meant to draw attention to the importance of literacy with a special emphasis on developing countries. There is no doubt that literacy is an issue that needs to be addressed on an international level, especially when considering the following statistics:

• There are over 860 million illiterate adults worldwide (two-thirds of whom are women) and nearly 115 million children who lack access to education.
• When mothers are taught to read the infant mortality rate can decrease by up to 50%.
• Countries whose literacy rate is below 55% have an annual per capita income of less than $600.
• 98% of all non-literates live in developing countries, with 52% in India and China alone.
• The continent of Africa's literacy rate is less than 60%.

Domestically there are also urgent literacy needs to be met, especially when it comes to the undeniable connection between low literacy and poverty:

• Only 15% of low-income 8th graders read at a proficient level, with only 3% of all 8th graders reading at an advanced level.
  
• In the U.S. children of professional families hear an average of 2,153 words per hour, children of working class families hear 1,251 words per hour, and children of welfare families hear a mere 616 words per hour.
• The average literacy proficiency levels of African American and Hispanic 12th graders is equal to that of white 8th graders.
• 50% of all incarcerated adults are illiterate and 85% of juvenile offenders have reading problems.
• Lower education and literacy levels coincide with the likelihood of women ending up in abusive relationships.

For more facts, idea starters, local events, posters, certificates of participation and more, visit the websites of UNESCO and the International Reading Association. Whether you participate on a local or an international level, your contribution to the greater community is both necessary and welcome. The only hope we have of conquering this overwhelming issue is to come together and make sure that no citizens of the world are left behind when it comes to possessing the crucial and self-empowering tools of reading and writing.

Facts taken from www.reading.org/downloads/meetings/ILD2007_literacy_facts.pdf and www.reading.org/downloads/meetings/ILD2007_facts.pdf

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.

Life.com Photo Archive

Life Magazine has recently made their extensive photo archives available to the public for free. The seven million images date back over one hundred years and document some of our nation's most important cultural milestones. Teachers and students will find this archive especially useful. Check out their online photo library at Life.com.

English Language Learners (ELL)

The following are recent additions of English Language Learners (ELL) materials to the SERC Library’s master collection.

To view the summary of each item click on the Card Catalogue link and enter the call number in parentheses in the keyword section.

To see the library’s entire collection of ELL materials enter ELL or English Language Learners in the keyword section and the complete list of ELL professional books, instructional materials, inservice materials will appear.


50 strategies for teaching English language learners(3rd Edition).
By Adrienne L. Herrell and Michael Jordon, 2008. (428.24 HER)

102 content strategies for English language learners: Teaching for academic success in grades 3-12. By Jodi Reiss, 2008. (428.24 REI)

A course for teaching English learners. By Lynne T. Diaz-Rico, 2008.
(428.24 DIA)

Strategies for teaching English learners. By Lynne T. Diaz-Rico, 2008.
(428.24 DIA)

Teaching English language learners: A differentiated approach. By Carol Rothenberg and Douglas Fisher, 2007. (428.24 ROT)

Teaching English language learners, Grades K-5: Strategies that work. By Katherine Davies Samway and Dorothy Taylor, 2007. (428.24 SAM)

Teaching English language learners, Grades 6 and up: Strategies that work. By Katherine Davies Samway and Dorothy Taylor, 2008. (428.24 SAM)

Teaching English learners and immigrant students in secondary school. By Christian J. Faltis and Cathy A. Coulter, 2008. (428.24 FAL)