New book - for free online - from J.K. Rowling

If you didn't know... now you do...

J.K. Rowling just announced that she will be putting out an unreleased book called The Ickabog and will release a chapter each weekday from today (May 26, 2020) until July 10.  If you click the link above you will get a little more info about what this book is about.  It is NOT a Harry Potter story... or from that world, just so you know that going into it.  

You can read the book here and also find out more information about the illustration contest!!! Wouldn't it be so cool if something you drew/illustrated became a part of the physical book that will be published in November?  This is great way to pass our time  in the summer as we continue to strive to maintain our health and safety as we slowly start to venture back out into the world! 

Project LIT!

What is Project LIT? Here is what they are all about, taken right from their sign up form:

"Project LIT Community is a national, grassroots literacy movement, a team of dedicated educators and students who work together to:

• EMPOWER our students as readers, writers, and leaders
• PROMOTE a love of reading in our schools and communities
• NURTURE authentic reading identities by increasing access to high-quality books, building community, and fostering a sense of belonging
• CHAMPION young people and books that reflect their lived realities, communities, and identities
• ADVOCATE for literacy policies and practices that will build lifelong readers
• SUPPORT AND INSPIRE one another as we improve our practice and pedagogy
• READ, DISCUSS, AND CELEBRATE books that make our students feel seen, heard, affirmed, and valued
• DEVELOP our cultural competence and EXPAND our thinking, regardless of individual starting point
• AMPLIFY voices and stories of students and educators of color
• REWRITE the narrative about which texts and authors are deemed worthy of academic study
• PROVIDE students with as many positive literacy experiences as possible"

I've been following the ProjectLIT Community on Twitter for almost a year now and am inspired and encouraged by their message and the enthusiasm this movement is bringing to students and engaging them in not just reading great literature, but instilling the love of reading in students and bringing many new voices to the table.

I'm proud to say we already have these books in our library, or they have been ordered(due to the delays with COVID-19 have not arrived but should be on the shelves when we return to school).

If you are looking for something to read over the summer... consider a book on this list. Or visit their Twitter and see the previous lists. So many good books to read and experience!

Brain Yoga

Can you tell that I love pretty much everything Jason Reynolds does?!?! 

It's pretty hard not to, actually....

Last week I watched his Instagram Live (I watched it after the fact) where he was doing what he calls Brain Yoga.  In this one (I'm not sure if it is the same for all of them) he holds up 2 cards and ask you to think of a new invention combining the 2 things on the cards. 

He then invites people onto the live feed to give their response and if he chooses you, he was giving away a $60 gift card to a your bookstore!  It was entertaining to watch, so if you have Instagram - he still has some of the episodes on his feed. See the image below for his Instagram to view his feed and start following him.  And play along if you want.  I think he is doing this every Friday at 1:30 EST - so that means 12:30 pm our time! 

Have some fun - and do some Brain Yoga!

May the 4th Be With You - It's Star Wars Day

I am a HUGE Star Wars fan and so of course I want to celebrate May 4th which has been dubbed Star Wars day in recent years.  Here are some activities to do to celebrate Star Wars day if you would like...