Connecting Readers and Writers to the Word: National Library Week

“There’s More to the Story”Celebrating National Library WeekApril 23-29, 2023 Why celebrate libraries? Not because I retired as a teacher-librarian at the end of last school year. Not because I love libraries. But maybe loving libraries is a great reason to celebrate. Overall, we can observe and recognize our libraries because they hold many stories […]

Connecting Readers and Writers to the Word: National Book Lovers Day

Today, let’s celebrate National Book Lovers Day! As you know, I love books. However, the books I read most often are children’s picture books and chapter books for fourth and fifth graders. I study children’s picture books similar to the stories I write or want to write, in order to expand my writing skills. As […]

Connecting Readers and Writers to the Word:  African American Read-in

This February, as we celebrate Black History Month, my school gave the African American Read-in another try, but with a different flavor for this event In the past, I would get approved for everyone to “Stop Everything and Read” at a specific day and time. Students and teachers, along with other staff were to read […]

Connecting Readers and Writers to the Word: National Family Literacy Month

This month, let’s snuggle with the entire family and open a good book. Studies reflect that reading aloud with parents, grandparents, etc., is the most significant pastime when preparing children to read independently. Reading contributes in the increase of comprehension, vocabulary, writing skills, attention span, and retention. In addition, consider reading to your baby and […]

Connecting Readers and Writers to the Word: National Book Lovers Day-August 9

National Book Lover’s Day: August 9, 2021 I love books! And if you’re reading this blog post, I imagine you do too. I can’t think of any other way to escape into someone else’s world, other than by reading. This observance encourages book lovers to celebrate reading and literature. Books have come a long way […]

Connecting Readers and Writers to the Word: Celebrating Juneteenth (Freedom Day)

Juneteenth, a historic and celebratory day: June 19th, 1865, marks the emancipation and freedom for enslaved people in the United States. Indeed, today is a celebration in more ways than one! On, June 15 the Senate unanimously passed a resolution establishing June 19 as Juneteenth National Independence Day, a US holiday honoring the end of slavery […]

Connecting Readers and Writers to the Word: National Poetry Month

Spring and the month of April remains to be one of my favorite seasons. During this season, the weather turns warmer, grass and trees turn to green, flowers bloom, and birds sing. But, I also celebrate because it’s Poetry Month! As a young child, I loved writing poems. My teacher exposed me to all genres […]

Connecting Readers and Writers to The Word: Remembering Juneteenth

Juneteenth, the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States, dates back to June 19, 1865, when the Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, landed at Galveston, Texas with news that slaves were free due to the war having ended. Remarkably, this was two and a half years after the official January 1, 1863 […]

Connecting Readers and Writers to the Word: Online Events

I’d like to share a few events that may be of interest to adult readers and writers. Time is of essence in that one “Hello Literacy” event (The Invisible Boy) will be held this Thursday, May 21. While this event was shared with me by a fellow colleague, I not only saw this event through […]