Blog Posts

The Highest Tribute: Thurgood Marshall’s Life, Leadership and Legacy

There are so many things about this book that makes it essential in today's classroom. First of all, the story and legacy of Thurgood Marshall is a story every child should know. He is the first Black justice of the U.S Supreme Court. This fact in itself should hold space in a classroom for conversations,… Continue reading The Highest Tribute: Thurgood Marshall’s Life, Leadership and Legacy

Blog Posts

Nuestra America: 30 Inspiring Latinas/Latinos Who Have Shaped the United States

Our Latinx children and youth need to see themselves in the pages of a book, read stories of other Latinos who have added and continue to add to the fabric of this country. That's what this book represents: a celebration of 30 Latinas/Latinos who have shaped the history of the USA. This beautiful compilation of… Continue reading Nuestra America: 30 Inspiring Latinas/Latinos Who Have Shaped the United States

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Exquisite: The Poetry and Life of Gwendolyn Brooks

This book!!!! Oh my heart! What an amazing story of resilience, commitment and perseverance. Exquisite: The Poetry and Life of Gwendolyn Brooks by Suzanne Slade and illustrated by Cozbi A. Cabrera is an amazing biography picture book about the first Black person to win the Pulitzer Prize. Gwnedolyn's story is the perfect book to share… Continue reading Exquisite: The Poetry and Life of Gwendolyn Brooks

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Teaching In Times of Pandemic: Lessons From Covid-19

On April 7, only a couple of weeks since we all started emergency online learning, I wrote a post on my person blog entitled Humanity First: Teaching in Times of COVID-19. I've just finished giving a professional development session via Google Hangouts to a group of dedicated teachers that came to listen to what I… Continue reading Teaching In Times of Pandemic: Lessons From Covid-19

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When Grandma Gives You A Lemon Tree by Jamie L. B Deenihan

When Grandma Gives you a Lemon Tree by Jamie L.B Deenihan is a beautiful story about when unexpected things show up in life. In this story, the birthday girl gets a gift from grandma that is not in her list of "birthday wishes" at all. Grandma surprised her with a lemon tree. A lemon tree?… Continue reading When Grandma Gives You A Lemon Tree by Jamie L. B Deenihan

Blog Posts

Just Ask! Be Different! Be Brave! Be You! By Sonia Sotomayor

This is a different kind of review than what I usually write where I share thoughts and reactions from children in my school district. Today, I wanted to share with you what I learned from Sonia Sotomayor while she was traveling around the country promoting her newest picture book: Just Ask! Be Different! Be Brave!… Continue reading Just Ask! Be Different! Be Brave! Be You! By Sonia Sotomayor