White Socks Only, by Evelyn Coleman

Grandma tells the story about her first trip alone into town during the days when segregation still existed in Mississippi, and how her naive assumption about a sign earned her a whipping from an angry man.

Video White Socks Only read by Amber Rose Tamblyn

The Other Side, by Jacqueline Woodson

Though a literal and figurative fence segregates a town, two girls find a way to overcome the separation and become playmates at the dawn of the Civil Rights Era.

Video The Other Side read by Katherine Detrick

School Kindness Garden Students are encouraged to bring a hand-painted rock to the Rock Garden by the front office. Here are some ideas for messages of kindness and encouragement.

​Coloring Sheet Have courage and be kind

Henry's Freedom Box, by Ellen Levine

A fictionalized account of how in 1849 a Virginia slave (c1815-1897) escaped to freedom by shipping himself in a wooden crate to Philadelphia.

Video Henry's Freedom Box ready by The Teacher's Library

Henry Climbs a Mountain, by D.B. Johnson

Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862), refused to pay taxes to a state that allowed slavery and was arrested in 1846. The end note explains that Thoreau assisted slaves in fleeing to Canada, and that both Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. were inspired by Thoreau's writings about peaceful civil disobedience.

Video Henry Climbs a Mountain read by Rev. Kelly

Video Woolworth's Lunch Counter Sit-Ins Civil Rights activists Joseph McNeil, Diane Nash, and John Lewis reflect on the history and legacy of the lunch counter from the F.W. Woolworth department store in North Carolina, and the sit-in campaign that began on February 1, 1960, Their peaceful protest inspired other people to organize throughout the south.

Sit-In: How Four Friends Stood Up by Sitting Down, by Andrea Davis Pinkney

​Four young men who followed Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s words of peaceful protest and dared to sit at a "whites only" lunch counter.

Video Sit-In read by Grace Bolin

Video Andrea Davis Pinkney and Brian Pinkney discuss creating Sin-In

​School Kindness Garden Students are encouraged to bring a hand-painted rock to the Rock Garden by the front office. Here are some ideas for messages of kindness and encouragement.

Coloring Sheet Have courage and be kind

Surgery: Believe it or not, many of the modern instruments surgeons use today are of exactly the same design as those invented in the 10th century by a Muslim surgeon named al-Zahrawi from Spain.8

Tar roads weren't made that long ago, but that is NOT TRUE! Did you know the first tar roads were seen in the 8th century during the caliphate of Harun al-Rashid?

CHEMISTRY is EVERYWHERE we look! Without chemistry we wouldn't have colorful clothing, paints, electronic devices, household cleaning products and much more things that we use everyday!!! Our MUSLIM brother Jabir ibn Hayyan made GREAT ADVANCES in chemistry that scientists STILL USE to this day.

Flush toilets has changed our world for the better but many of us don't know that our Muslim brother, Al-Jazari came up with the flush system more than a thousand years ago!!!

Clocks: An ingenious man called al-Jazari from Diyarbakir in South-East Turkey was a pious Muslim and a highly skilled engineer who gave birth to the concept of automatic machines. By 1206, al-Jazari had made numerous clocks of all shapes and sizes. Just as we need time today to structure our lives, so did Muslims over seven hundred years ago. Al-Jazari was sticking to the long Muslim tradition of clock-making. They knew it was important to know the time so it could be used well through doing good deeds: knowing when to pray at the right time each day and announce the call to prayer in mosques.

Soap Bars: How did we get the Soap Bars that we have today? Was it all because of our great Muslim brother, Al-Razi? Watch to find out!

Ice cream: We love having ice cream in ice cream cones. But who invented and spread this amazing invention? Watch to find out!

First man to fly: Abbas ibn Firnas was the first person to make a real attempt to construct a flying machine and actually fly. In the 9th century he designed a winged apparatus which roughly resembled a bird costume. In his most famous trial, near Cordoba in Spain, Firnas flew upward for a few moments, before plummiting to the ground and partially breaking his back. His designs would have undoubtedly been an inspiration for the famous Italian artist and inventor Leonardo da Vinci some six hundred years later.

Camera Obscura: Ibn Al-Haytham often used the term “al Bayt al-Muthlim” in his many experiments, which translates into “the dark room”. With that he also described his developed camera obscura, which is a camera that sends an image through a small hole. None of his predecessors who (Aristotle, Euclides or Al-Kindi), just like Ibn Al-Haytham, studied the effects of light, which goes through a camera obscura, was able to prove that everything which is projected on the screen came from the other side of the hole.

Little Mouse's Big Secret, by Eric Battut

Little Mouse has found a delicious-looking apple and doesn't want to share a bite. So he buries it, and no matter how many of his friends ask what he hid, Little Mouse won't tell. But when a tree sprouts from the seeds of the fruit, there are enough apples for everyone-and Little Mouse realizes some secrets are even better when they're shared. Read by Hines Creek Municipal Library.

Big Red Apple by Tony Johnston

Chronicles the life cycle of an apple: from fruit growing on the tree, to worm, to bird, to the boy, to seed, to sapling and tree, and finally to a new apple. A joyful introduction to the amazing and delectable way Allah S.w.t provides food.

Ten Apples Up On Top, by Dr. Seuss writing as Theo. LeSieg

Lion, Tiger, and Dog are balancing ten apples on their heads when two cranky bears chase them.

Crafty Connection Apple tree color by number

Applesauce Season, by Eden Ross Lipson

Describes a family's applesauce-making ritual: the buying, peeling, cooking and stirring; the wait for the sauce to cool and the first taste. Find a copy in the library.

Crafty Connection Coloring Sheet and applesauce recipe

Give Bees a Chance, by Bethany Barton

Besides making yummy honey, they help plants grow fruits and vegetables.

Video Plant a bee friendly garden

Crafty Connection Bake honeybee cookies

Water Is Water, by Miranda Paul

Highlights the various forms water takes throughout the year including autumn fog and rain, frozen ponds and falling snow, steam from cups of cocoa, and snow melt turning dirt to mud.

One Green Apple, by Eve Bunting

It's hard to be the new kid in school, especially when you're from another country and don't know the language. But a field trip to an apple orchard helps Farah feel connected.

Each Kindness, by Jacqueline Woodson

What if you're cruel to someone and never get the chance to make it right? This deeply personal story takes us full circle back to water. As a lake is rippled when a stone is tossed, a cruelty has repercussions than can never be undone.

Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons, by Eric Litwin

​Pete the cat loves the buttons on his shirt so much that he makes up a song about them, and even as the buttons pop off, one by one, he still finds a reason to sing.

Video Pete sings his song

Crafty Connection Print this Pete the Cat color by number

Is That Wise, Pig? by Jan Thomas

Mouse and Cow are making soup, but Pig keeps trying to add strange ingredients.

Video Is That Wise, Pig? read by Story Time Pals

Activity Connection Cooking with children (safety first!) is a great way to reinforce independence, math, science, language skills, and more. Try these No Bake Kids' Recipes: mud pie, pineapple bagel spread, cinnamon pears, pumpkin pie, and more!

Fall Leaves Fall! by Zoe Hall

When fall comes, two brothers enjoy catching the falling leaves, stomping on them, kicking them, jumping in piles of them, and using them to make pictures. Includes a description of how leaves change through the year.

Fall Is Not Easy, by Marty Kelley

​With new expectations to be met, fall can be a tough season for a lot of us.

Crafty Connection Transform ordinary leaves found in the yard into colorful nature collages. Directions.

I Am a Story, by Dan Yaccarino

A celebration of the art of storytelling traces how it has evolved from cave paintings and the invention of the printing press to the digital technologies that inform and unite today's diverse world. Sharp eyes will take note of the starry transition from cave people to contemporary folk as astrological signs reappear as constellations, with a tiny red bird on each page to remind us that stories give flight to our imagination.

Crafty Connection Tiny Birds coloring sheet ​

I Don't Like to Read, by Nancy Carlson

Henry the mouse likes everything about first grade except reading, but with some extra help at school and home, he is delightfully surprised.

Connection Read a book, of course :)

Nibbles the Book Monster, by Emma Yarlett

​Nibbles the Monster enjoys books a little too much!

Crafty Connection Make a book nibbling bookmark. Directions.

Empathy is defined as the ability to understand the thoughts, feelings, or emotions of someone else. An example of empathy is feeling the same amount of excitement as a friend, when they tell you they are getting a puppy or a kitten.

Video Sesame Street: actor Mark Ruffalo and Murray help explain the feeling of empathy.

A Letter to My Teacher, by Deborah Hopkinson

Written as a thank you note to a cherished teacher, the ending brings the love of learning and teaching full circle.

Discuss Do you think the new teacher will be able to feel empathy for her students when things don't go quite right for them? How might having empathy affect our relationships at home or at school?

Draw and Write Students draw a picture of themselves with their teacher and write a note including a personality trait that they know their teacher will enjoy, and a behavior that they hope to improve during second grade. Show it to your teacher on your next Zoom.

​Video Why Do Leaves Change Color?

​Leaves, by David Ezra Stein

A bear who has never experienced autumn before is puzzled by the falling leaves, unsure whether he should try to put them back or use them as a bed for a nap. Read by Michael DeJohn

Crafty Connection Transform ordinary leaves found in the yard into colorful nature collages. Directions.

When i was Eight is the true story of Olemaun, a girl from the Arctic, who knew many things such as how to manage sled dogs, how to hunt, and how to trade with the outsiders.

Video Shaw TV Northern BC - Published on May 24, 2013

There are a great deal of stories that the Residential School has left in its wake, and most are not pleasant. The problem we have today is not many people know about what it was like. Jonathan Horst heard some of the stories from Williams Lake's local school and discovered that it's not something that should be forgotten.

Orange Shirt Day Activity Here are a few quick and easy to prepare activities you can do with your elementary class as part of recognizing Orange Shirt Day. As part of our commitment to Truth & Reconciliation we feel it is important to teach our students about the history of Residential Schools in Canada.

Llama Llama Red Pajama, by Anna Dewdney

Baby llama creates bedtime drama!

Small Bunny's Blue Blanket, by Tatyana Feeney

It's laundry day: will Small Bunny's blanket ever be the same?

Halibut Jackson, by David Lucas ​Because Halibut Jackson is so shy, he makes special outfits to blend in wherever he goes. Videos Camouflaging halibut and an extreme example of the skill demonstrated by the octopus Crafty Connection Students can color their own camouflaged fish. Supplies: this fish coloring page printed out, a sheet of colorful patterned wrapping paper measuring at least 8" x 11", scissors, crayons or markers, tape or glue. Directions: cut out the fish shape, tape or glue it to the piece of wrapping paper, color in the fish using similar colors and patterns that match the wrapping paper.

Where Are My Books? by Debbie Ridpath Ohi

​A little boy finds that though he put his book back in its proper place, it turns up missing.

Crafty Connection Learn how to draw squirrels from Debbie Ridpath Ohi

Don't Spill the Milk! by Stephen Davies

Over the dunes, across the river and up the mountain, Penda lovingly carries a bowl of milk to her father in the grasslands. But will she manage to get it there without spilling a single drop? Students learning to be responsible for one library book will appreciate the magnitude of the task set before Penda.

Charlie Cook's Favorite Book, by Julia Donaldson

A circular tale in which each new book character is reading about the next, beginning and ending with Charlie Cook.

A Library Book for Bear, by Bonny Becker

​What is YOUR favorite book? Bear is quite certain he has all the books he will ever need right at home and there is no need to visit the library.

Crafty Connection See this video to make a paper mouse finger puppet and read your favorite book to your new little friend.

What Grew in Larry's Garden, by Laura Alary

Helping her teacher next-door neighbor with his amazing garden, young Grace learns powerful lessons in community teamwork and environmental mindfulness when a plan for the garden's vegetables is threatened by an unanticipated problem.

Give It a Try This video shows how to start tomato plants from tomato slices.

Old Rock (is not boring) by Deb Pilutti

Tall Pine, Spotted Beetle, and Hummingbird are certain that being a rock is boring until Old Rock shares what he has seen and done since he first flew out of a volcano.

Activity Rock painting tutorial with suggested supplies, step-by-step and simple designs.

Big Mean Mike, by Michelle Knudsen

Mike is proud to be the toughest dog in the neighborhood, so when tiny, fuzzy bunnies start showing up in his big, mean car he sees them only as a threat to his reputation. But they are SO adorable!

Pine & Boof: the Lucky Leaf, by Ross Burach

One blustery day, Boof the bear's lucky red leaf gets swept away by the wind. Fortunately for him, Pine the porcupine just happens to walk by with his lucky compass-and the two set off on an adventure to find the lost leaf, only to discover true friendship in the process.

Tarra & Bella: the Elephant and Dog Who Became Best Friends, by Carole Buckley

​Proving that best friends come in all shapes and sizes, a lone elephant at a sanctuary in Tennessee befriends a stray dog.

Video Clip Tarra & Bella

Website Learn about Tarra today

School's First Day of School, by Adam Rex

It's the first day of school and everyone's just a little bit nervous, especially the school itself.

The Pigeon HAS to Go to School, by Mo Willems

Why does the Pigeon have to go to school? He already knows everything! What if he doesn't like it? What if the teacher doesn't like him? What if he learns too much?

​Discuss Find connections to the theme for the year, Working Together for the Gator Good.

Be a GREAT Gator Simple guidelines for a GREAT school year together.

Excellent Ed, by Stacy McAnulty

Ed, the Ellis family dog, has many talents, but none of them matches the excellence of the five Ellis children's in this story that reminds us everyone is excellent at something.

​Ragweed's Farm Dog Handbook, by Anne Vittur Kennedy

​Ragweed blithely breaks all his own farm dog rules, collecting biscuits as he goes.

Discuss Find connections to the theme for the year, Working Together for the Gator Good.

Be a GREAT Gator Simple guidelines for a GREAT school year together.

Jasper & Ollie Build a Fort, by Alex Winan

Best friends Jasper, a quick and feisty fox, and Ollie, a slow, deliberate sloth, decide to build forts in the yard. While Jasper's enormous fort goes up in minutes (complete with a rock climbing wall, bouncy, castle, and moat), it's Ollie's humble fort that has what the pair need most . . . a place that they can share.

Discuss Compare and contrast the two approaches to getting a job done and find connections in the story to the theme for the school year, Working Together for the Gator Good.

Be a GREAT Gator Simple guidelines for a GREAT school year together

Video Extenders Click here to find out why sloths are so slow, their connection to avocados, and more. Click here to see and hear an adorable baby sloth.

We Don't Eat Our Classmates, by Ryan T. Higgins

It's the first day of school and Penelope is not having much success at making new friends until the class pet steps in to save the day.

​The Best School Year Ever, by Barbara Robinson

The teacher's assignment is for each student to write a compliment for each classmate and Beth must think of one for awful Imogene, a member of the notoriously rotten Herdman family, the worst family in the history of the world.

Discuss Find connections to the theme for the year, Working Together for the Gator Good.

Be a GREAT Gator Simple guidelines for a GREAT school year together.

This is a unique year, with a unique learning environment. It won't be money that will make the biggest difference, although it has sadly been further evidenced by distance learning during a pandemic that financial resources have a profound impact on learning success. But a case can be made that a part of school success comes from within each student: personal determination and a love of learning. And for those of us lucky enough, if there is an educator who can open up the world of books to us.

Consider the example of Tomas Rivera. He was born in Texas in 1935. A migrant worker who valued education, he became a writer, a professor, and a national education leader. When Dr. Rivera died in 1984, he was the chancellor of the University of California at Riverside. The campus library now bears the name of the boy who was once encouraged to read by a librarian in Iowa.

Video An interview with author Pat Mora.

Tomas and the Library Lady, by Pat Mora

While helping his family in their work as migrant laborers far from their home, Tomás finds an entire world to explore in the books at the local public library.

Discuss Find connections to the theme of the year, Working Together for the Gator Good.

Be a GREAT Gator Simple guidelines for a GREAT school year together.