Books were  in the news this week. The American Library Association  Announced Newbery and Caldecott Winners last Monday, and National Council of Teachers of English announced the Orbis Pictus winner and honor books last Saturday.

Still don’t have enough books to read? The International Reading Association’s Children’s Literature and Reading Special Interest Group continues its celebration of life in motion in the second installment of the “Wheels of Change” series of reviews of books for students from kindergarten through 12th grade. Part one is also available, in case you missed it.

For classroom materials on the African American Read-In, Groundhog Day, and other new and timely topics, just keep reading!

New Resources

• Digital Learning Day is February 1. Tap our collection of resource to explore digital learning with students on this first celebration of what it means to learn in today’s classroom.
• The 100th day of school is coming up soon. Check the ReadWriteThink calendar for related activities.
• Mark Black History Month by taking part in the National African American Read-In in your classroom, at your school, or in the community.
• Celebrate Teaching! Register now to join the celebration at IRA’s 2012 Annual Convention in Chicago.
• Find Black History Month resources on the NAACP Interactive Timeline.
• You have an extra day in February since 2012 is Leap Year.   Make special plans for Leap Day!
     
   

From the Calendar

• January 29: Poe’s “The Raven” was published in 1845. As Poe’s “The Raven” is read aloud, students note their reactions and discuss the changes or development of their first impressions as the poem continues. (For grades 7–12)
  
  
• January 31: Jackie Robinson was born on this day in 1919.Students read messages sent to the White House from Jackie Robinson and discuss his role as an athlete and a civil rights activist, as well as the role of athletes in society. (For grades 7–12)
  
  
• February 1: Take part in the African American Read-In!Students come together with family and friends to take part in a read-in of books by African American authors and report their results. (For grades K–12)
• February 1: Langston Hughes was born in 1902.Students examine the poem "Dreams" and identify metaphors in each sentence. Groups of students then compose poems with metaphors for dreams. (For grades 7–12)
• February 2: Groundhog Day is February 2.A celebration is held for Groundhog day where students engage in a shadow-watching activity, make predictions, and listen to news reports to compare what happens with Punxsutawney Phil. (For grades K–5)
• February 3: In 1927, Joan Lowery Nixon was born.As a class, a genre study of mysteries takes place and a chart is made about what makes a good mystery. (For grades 3–8)
• Later in February, find lesson plans and activities on the Alice Walker, Jane Yolen, Judy Blume, Toni Morrison, John Steinbeck, and more!
 

Discuss These Topics with Other Teachers

• What are your students passionate about changing in our world?
• Featured Thinkfinity Community Member: Marie Snow, ESL Teacher
• Has you used Skype for sharing reading opportunities?
• The Thinkfinity Community Mobile app is now available on Apple’s App Store! You can also download the Thinkfinity Community app on Android or VCast. All three versions are free.
• Make the most of Thinkfinity.org by adding our partners to your social network!

If you have feedback or questions about ReadWriteThink, all you have to do is contact us.

—Traci Gardner

[Photo: lindsey by Cesari, on Flickr]