Public Library Spotlight: Boston Public Library

No better place to start with this new feature on Ms. M's Blog than with the first large free municipal library in the country, the Boston Public Library. You can read all about the history, the special collections and even visit the gift shop, but today I encourage you to spend some time getting familiar with the abundant resources and opportunities available online and for free. Recently, I attended an online seminar in Genealogy. People from all of the country were enrolled in the online class that was exception in quality. There are a ton of resources online and a visit to the Central Library on Boylston Street is a must if you are visiting Boston. Book recommendations, art exhibits, reading challenges, computer use, homework help, family programs, music production, tax assistance are just a few of the many things you can do at the Central Branch or one of the 26 branches in the neighborhoods of Boston. If you live in Boston, a library card is free and it will open the doors to so many wonderful resources. If you don't live in Boston, check out the library in your community. Libraries offer a wide range of resources based on the patrons in their communities with a focus on lifelong learning - and that's what keeps us young at heart. National Library Week is right around the corner, April 6-12, 2025. Make a plan to get "Drawn to the Library!"

Site Clean Up Almost Complete

I've spent almost 6 weeks cleaning up the site. Fixing links and making sure that if you want to purchase a book you can do so at Bookshop.org If you find an Amazon link please consider going to Bookshop.org instead! Once again, I make no money from book sales, I just want you to enjoy reading.

About Bookshop.org from Bookshop.org;

"Bookshop.org works to connect readers with independent booksellers all over the world.
‍We believe local bookstores are essential community hubs that foster culture, curiosity, and a love of reading, and we're committed to helping them thrive.

Every purchase on the site financially supports independent bookstores. Our platform gives independent bookstores tools to compete online and financial support to help them maintain their presence in local communities."

Ms. M is Back

Follow my updated page to get inspired to read, write, draw, create and watch some of the BEST media for kids and young adults. After "retiring" from my educational adventures in both corporate and public service, I took a couple years off to THINK. Yes, thinking is fun but now it's time to put all that THINKING back to work. This new updated blog is all about turning up the volume on adventure, mostly FREE from your own home or classroom. Reading takes you places, but what is reading? Why did you also say writing, drawing, creating and watching? Well, fasten your seat belts and get ready for amazing suggestions that spark our curiosities and focus on the everything you can see and do to make your life AMAZING. It won't happen overnight, but hopefully you will start to see things on this BLOG that inspire you and make each day a little bit better. Let's go!

Happy New Year!

Just received my copy of A Velocity of Being Letters to a Young Reader edited by Maria Popova & Claudia Bedrick. It's a beautiful book from concept to execution. Each inspirational letter is accompanied by a phenomenal piece of art. 
I've linked the title above to Maria Popova's site formerly brainpickings, now called The Marginalian  and more information about the book. The Marginalian is a fave place of mine to hang out and read online. Check it out. That's it. Oh, and best wishes for 2019 and beyond.

Support your local booksellers and

buy me here.

READ, READ, READ

As the 2018-2019 school year gets underway, I want to stress the importance of READING and challenge everyone to make reading one of the most important activities of every day. 

Many items have invaded the school day AND our lives in general making the most important activity of every day a luxury in many classrooms and homes. Reading aloud and independent reading are the two most important activities that should happen every day, in every classroom, in EVERY subject and in every home by every student, teacher and family.

Make reading a priority. The best way to become a reader is to read. Read a book that you can understand. You may have to look up a few words, ask a teacher or other person about a short passage. No matter what grade level or subject area - yes, even math and physical education, there are books that can be read to entice, inform, embellish and entertain. 

If you see students 4 or 5 days a week, certainly there is time to read. If you see students only once a week, devote part of your class together to reading and include a required reading book outside the class. Conversely, if you and your family are working and running around with activities and chores, there is still a way in every day to make time for reading for the entire family. 

Below are a few themed booklists to get you started. If you don't see what you need, take a look at some of my previous posts or inbox me with what your grade level, subject matter or particular student that can never find anything to read - the more specific you are with your goals and objectives, the better the suggestion. The more you read - the more you know... 

Reading Rockets Books By Theme

Pre-18th Century to Present Materials and Recommended Reading

Emily's Lists of Science Books for Kids of All Ages

Oprah's Favorite Books

EVERY STUDENT IS A SHINING STAR

Shop your local indie bookstore or visit your local library.

HAPPY NEW (SCHOOL) YEAR! Make this the best school year ever. Keep it simple, enjoy each moment and focus on your students. One of my favorite mantras is "work hard, show respect and be responsible." What are some ways we can model this for our students and children?

As parents make sure your child is ready to learn. I recommend reading My Shining Star by Rosemary Wells pictured to the left.

As teachers we should always be prepared and treat every student as though they were our own child or our favorite niece or nephew. My Shining Star is for everyone. Adapt it's ten principles to your teaching practice and classroom "rules." Students know when a teacher cares and respects them. Students know when a teacher is prepared. Students want things to be fair but understand that fair does not always mean the same thing for each student. 

When we model our expectations as adults and accept the responsibility of being a parent or teacher FIRST students will notice. It doesn't mean everyday will be easy, it does mean you are modeling the attributes you expect from them. Walk the talk.

TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALLGAME!

Check the library or shop your local indie bookstore.

I just finished reading The Hero Two Doors Down by Sharon Robinson. Truth be told, it's been sitting in my pile for sometime and it's a level T so that means a couple hours for a "grown up" reader! But I digress, the year is 1948, the hero is Jackie Robinson and the author of this mostly true story is Jackie Robinson's daughter Sharon. I absolutely love the cover and would reinforce one of my favorite teaching mantras, "every picture tells a story." We would start by looking at the picture and imagine what the story might be about. The story is a perfect read for baseball season in 3rd or 4th grade - with a teacher leading and in addition to presenting a love of family and baseball it touches themes of friendship, prejudice and self-control. If you see your students every day you could easily read this book in two weeks. 

Check your library or shop your local indie bookstore.

Other books that could also be read with this title include the following:
In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson by Bette Bao Lord
Testing the Ice by Sharon Robinson & Kadir Nelson
Who was Jackie Robinson? by Gail Herman
We Are The Ship Story and Paintings by Kadir Nelson
Players in Pigtails by Shana Corey

The list is actually endless when it comes to forming a cohesive, meaningful and FUN unit around these books. In book me if you need assistance, otherwise let me know if you do a unit like these and how it goes.

Check your library or shop your local indie bookstore.

Check your library or shop your local indie bookstore.

Here are a few more resources to add to your planning:
http://www.scholastic.com/motherdaughterbookclub/pdf/Scholastic-MDBC-HeroTwoDoorsDown.pdf
https://www.floridamediaed.org/uploads/6/1/4/2/61420659/2017es-herotwodoorsdown.pdf

https://www.mlb.com/mlb-together/jackie-robinson-day

Check your library or shop your local indie bookstore.