Diverse Literature: Mirrors & Windows

As I stated in the beginning, I am focused on diverse literature. As noted, it’s an uphill battle. Finding quality is difficult. Finding quality diverse literature is a monumental task.

In my day-to-day conversations, in my daily social media feeds and conversations, in my personal interactions, I have been confronted with confusion, defensiveness, and dismissal.

People are confused. They tell me that children’s books are good–fine as they are, good enough, and mostly feature animals anyway. People are defensive. They have attachments to their own upbringing, their own learning, or just their routine. Re-evaluating their classroom experiences or their teaching practices requires acknowledging a deficit, challenging the status quo, and expanding their worldview. These are emotional endeavors. All of this leads to dismissal. The passion behind the task, the commitment to diversity is relegated to my individual soapbox rather than a collective project for every teacher.

It is easy to be discouraged. It is easy to feel alone. In my research, however, I found my words–my words of rebuttal and my words of personal encouragement: mirrors & windows.

Children are provided a lens in their learning, this lens can either be a mirror or a window. The mirrors are just as important as the windows. Mirrors allow them to be seen and heard, to realize their potential and reaffirm their value. Windows allow them to see others, to realize the potential and reaffirm the value of every person they encounter–whether that is now or in the future, in the classroom or somewhere else.

So, if you need a little encouragement or a reminder on why diverse literature is critical or important; remember, every child needs mirrors and windows, everyone benefits from being seen and seeing others.

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The language of mirrors and windows comes from my original post, the image had a caption that led to researching the concept and finding several articles on it, including one on We are Teachers.

Favorite books: Early Years Mathematics

Our reading choices regularly neglect mathematics.

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There are tons of books that we happily read to babies. Nostalgia runs deep for cute plots, fuzzy characters, and a bit of laughter.

In our standardized book choices, children receive critical lap-time that develops vocabulary, phonemic and phonological awareness, and all other facets of beginning literacy.

At the same time, we have a plethora of games that continue to build these same skills. Nursery rhymes, hand games, I Spy, etc. all work together to build the requirements and awareness for children to begin reading and writing.

We are building fundamental, incredibly important, building blocks. That is good. That is commendable and absolutely needed.

However, I am here to point out that there is only a bit of math, at times, there is not a focused look on mathematical practice. There is less intention when it comes to the foundations of mathematics.

In my experience, in normal non-school settings as well as school-settings, the same attention to the building blocks of mathematics is absent–maybe minimally present, at best.

We do not speak math. We do not practice math. We do not notice math. Certainly not with the same veracity as we do letters and sounds.

So, this list of favorite books is focused on mathematical practice and discussion. If we can get kids excited and interested about mathematics, as babies, imagine how many more mathematicians–meaning engineers, architects, coders–we can support and create for the world!

Favorite math books for babies:

ABCs of Mathematics by Chris Ferrie
Introductory Calculus for Infants by Omi Inouye

Favorite math books for young children:

The Shape of Things by Dayle Ann Dodds
The Greedy Triangle by Syd Hoff
Books by Tana Hoban (there are quite a few)
Chicka Chicka 1 2 3 by Bill Martin Jr. & Lois Ehlert
Books by Stuart J. Murphy (there are many!)
Teeth, Tails, & Tentacles by Christopher Wormell

Product Overview: The Spider and the Fly

It’s that time of year when Halloween-themed texts and stories flood the library, and classrooms.

This time of year is a great moment in the year–routines have been set, diagnostic assessments are completed, the daily grind is in full swing, everyone is still excited and full of energy.

At this point, the days seem to have taken shape and order. There is growth already happening, and more growth on the horizon.

With all of this in mind, let us consider the power of thematic learning.

October has many possibilities: fall, harvest/farming, Day of the Dead, Halloween, and for Nevadans–Nevada History (Nevada Day is October 31st).

Thematic reading should be chosen carefully. Most teachers default to Halloween-themed books in October, which is fine, though I encourage everyone to sprinkle in something different now and again. One year, try something different!

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However, if we stick to Halloween, or scary-stuff, a book that is merely scary or fun, has its place, but time is precious so the place may not be the classroom. There are many standards to teach and master, so each moment needs to add value to our students’ growth and development.

Therefore, one October choice I highly recommend is The Spider and the Fly. It is one of my favorite picks for this time of year–it’s not exactly Halloween though it fits that theme, it has incredible vocabulary, and it is award-winning. Oh, and I happen to have a product for it too! 😉

In my Teacher Pay Teacher store: C is for Camacho I have a complete read-aloud lesson plan for 1-2 weeks of learning utilizing The Spider and the Fly. This product is focused on primary, prekindergarten-2nd grade, learning standards. It includes lessons for multiple reads so that each read has a different layer of targeted learning.

This product has vocabulary words, as well as comprehension questions and observations, that can be used, or modified, to meet learning goals. It is a full and complete guide that will allow for rigorous speaking, listening, reading, and writing learning in the classroom.

If you don’t want the lesson but are curious about the book, at the very least read it! It’s absolutely adorable–and it has a great lesson for all of us (a special thank you to the Spider for teaching us 😉).

Where Can Teachers Get Discounts?

It’s that time of year when teachers are setting up their classrooms.

The initial lesson plans, pre-service trainings, and Open House are just some of the inner workings of the new school year routine for teachers everywhere. Outside the classroom, many teachers venture into various department stores and school supply stores to buttress, or augment, the supplies they receive from their school, their district, and/or students’ families.

As teachers shop for the things they need, and the things they want, most try to stay within budget, most try to be reasonable and practical–how much they are spending stays at the forefront of their minds.

Dollars need to stretch, there are too many things that a teacher could buy, and obviously, teachers are normal human beings–there are bills that need to be paid too. So, with that in mind, let’s consider how every teacher can make the best investment and the smartest purchase.

Teacher Discounts

Whether you need decorations from Lakeshore Learning, or books from Barnes n Noble, or you want to increase your professional wardrobe at Ann Taylor, the DealHack has it covered. It’s an extensive list. Some I knew, some I had no idea existed.

10% may not seem like a lot, but something is better than nothing.

10% may not seem like a lot, but every penny saved adds up.

Look over the list and always, always ask when you buy anything. It never hurts to ask–the worse they can say is “no.” I started asking everywhere I went and sometimes there was none in existence but most people have a fond memory of school, or a favorite teacher, and thus an appreciation for what teachers do–and then offer something.

The work of a teacher is constant, never-ending. The time investment is enormous and sometimes that monetary investment is equally grand, but I firmly believe that a teacher should never pay full price for anything in their classroom.

Save some of that money for yourself! Teachers: you’re doing amazing work and you deserve to enjoy the fruits of your labor. So, shop for what you need, and make sure to get a discount or use a coupon–every little bit saved means more for you, and you earned it.