Enrichment Resources for K-8 Students

Once upon a time, I worked for a historic preservation organization.  I attended many tours and social events in historic properties not usually open to the public. Traveling to these events was entertaining and informative because my colleagues would point out various house styles and identify architectural features.  They would get excited about such features as, roof forms, paint colors, windows, porch supports, and decorative details.  I learned a lot and often think of them whenever I see an interesting house style.

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Phew!  Spring cleaning is done, and summer is underway with our redesigned website. 

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My friend Jerry reminds me of the book character Amos McGee. Like Amos, he is friendly, patient, and generous with his time.  Even though he has a lot to do, he always makes time to visit.

Erin Stead won the 2011 Caldecott Medal for A Sick Day for Amos McGee, which was written by her husband Philip Stead.  The book, about a zookeeper who always has time for his animal friends, is lovely and charming – much like the illustrator.  She won the medal at quite a young age – late twenties. In fact it was the first book she ever illustrated – amazing!  She had stopped drawing for three years due to “a severe and self-inflicted loss of confidence.”  At the end of the third year, she realized that by not drawing, a part of her was missing.  If you have any tendencies toward introversion or shyness, read her acceptance speech.  It reminded me of the book, Quiet:  The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking. 

Philip says he wrote the story for Erin.  In her Caldecott acceptance speech, she describes how the characters

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http://www.guggenheim.org/new-york/collections/collection-online/artwork/2143 
Red Balloon, Paul Klee, 1922

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When I was a classroom teacher, I often felt conflicted about time management. It seemed there was never enough time to incorporate the creative spontaneity of children. It was always difficult to align the students’ excitement for learning new things with instructional goals and responsibilities. The following classroom practices helped me shift from a time-pressured adult to a nurturing motivator.  Parents can use them at home too. 

1.  Laugh.
I often use humor to reduce stress. It’s good to share laughs together in the classroom because students remember things that make them laugh.  A classroom filled with laughter is a classroom with positive energy. 

2.  Take a quick movement break. 
Like children, I have trouble sitting still, so movement helps me focus.  We all need movement to perform at our very best.  Simple stretches, dancing to music, and tossing a ball while asking and answering questions are easy ways to integrate movement with learning. 

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Campoy, F. Isabel. Howell, Theresa. (Illustrated by Rafael Lopez).  Maybe Something Beautiful:  How Art Transformed a Neighborhood.  New York:  Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2016.

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April is a wonderful month – spring is in the air, trees are showing their leaves, birds are chirping, and everyone feels more energized.  It’s the perfect time of year for Jazz Appreciation Month (JAM).  Created at the National Museum of American History, JAM encourages everyone to participate in jazz.  You can celebrate by learning more about one of the jazz legends whose birthday falls in April:  Duke Ellington, Bessie Smith, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Johnny Dodds, Lionel Hampton, Charles Mingus, Gerry Mulligan, Shorty Rogers, Mongo Santamaria, Tito Puente, Freddie Hubbard, Randy Weston, or Herbie Hancock.  How's that for an all-star lineup?!!

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If you want to make our world a better place, read Originals:  How Non-Conformists Move the World by Adam Grant.  Through intriguing studies and personal stories, Grant shares practical actions to generate ideas for change.  Individuals, leaders, parents, and teachers will also learn techniques to encourage and implement change. 

The book is beneficial to anyone who wants to learn:

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