Earlier this spring, we worked on poetic forms in Room 407. It helps to have a form in mind when reaching for poetry as as a remedy to the pain one might feel from the immediacy of tragedy. While this pantoum breaks the rules of the traditional form, it is freeing somehow in this time […]
“Yes. . .And It Was THIS Too. . .” Historical Perspective and First-Hand Accounts
When I attended nErDcamp last summer in Parma, Michigan, I got to see my friend and nationally-recognized hero/ambassador for books, John Schumaker (Mr. Schu). He’s always super busy once he hits the deck plates of a conference, so I thought to ask him very quickly, “John! What picture book do I need to see […]
What We “Know” After Cutting Up a Book
Receiving an F&G copy of Rebecca Kai Dotlich’s forthcoming title, The Knowing Book, was a thrill and a blessing this month. To have an early look at what I predict will be a very popular, heavily-recommended book this spring puts me into a small group of readers who get to–as the hare does in […]
Bunnys, Wolves, and Bears, Oh My! (or “What We Learned by Cutting Up WOLFIE THE BUNNY”)
It begins here. It always begins here. A few images clipped from the book knowing that I have left many more within the book that will need to be removed later for the finished remix. Images clipped from a book. It sounds a lot like symbol, doesn’t it? But, Ame’s text and O’hara’s illustrations […]
Literacy We Might FLOAT Upon (or “What I Learned from/by Remixing Daniel Miyares’s FLOAT”)
I have to admit, I find this first image just a little TOO literal. The book is simply floating on that back piece of poster board which will eventually carry the remix of Daniel Miyares’s Float. My friend, Donalyn Miller, tells me–and tells us–that literacy floats on a sea of talk. I’d like to […]
“The Duties We Assume. . .”
First and foremost, this blog has always been a representation of my thinking and not a response to the thoughts/thinking of another (not by way of immediate response anyway). And this post is submitted as respectfully as it would be if I were talking to any person who might propose policy that speaks to my […]
The Pre-Search Packet: Building-In Backround/Beefing-Up Response
Yesterday, we talked about the basic pre-search packet our AP English Language and Composition students create in advance of their formal response to our question from Tuesdays with Morrie this winter and spring. Today, we’ll talk about The Background, Definitions, and Limitations Page. This page comes right out of the classic elements of oration. You […]
Tuesdays with Morrie: Reading and Reflections
I was taken with Barry Lane’s “Sad Art of Closed Reading” this weekend. His Kenny anecdote is one that should all of us taking a closer look at the differences between what our readers “get” and what they “come away with.” I am of the opinion that writing always does a better job of capturing […]
Your Students Would Read This Too.
I have been in Minneapolis since Thursday afternoon. Since Thursday, I have interacted with a number of educators and librarians and authors and poets and illustrators and book representatives. I have listened to them as they shared from panels. I have dined with them as they shared stories over our plates. Over the weekend, I […]
“If Someone Only Knew. . .”: AT-RISK SUMMER in Reflection and Review
It begins with this flyer being passed out at NCTE 2015. The person passing these out is none other than E. E. Charlton-Trujillo. I have kept this author’s book on Room 407’s shelves since reading the Advance Reader’s Copy of this book at NCTE Las Vegas. If someone only knew that I have been interacting […]