Synergy: Insects

Insects are small arthropods with six legs. Generally, insects have one or two pairs of wings. These small invertebrate animals have segmented bodies, jointed legs, and external skeletons. They are sometimes referred to as bugs.

Read the recently published nonfiction book, then learn more at the website:

BUZZKILL: A WILD WANDER THROUGH THE WEIRD AND THREATENED WORLD OF BUGS by Brenna Maloney and illustrated by Dave Mottram is an informational picture book exploring the world of insects. Children will enjoy the humorous, conversational approach to the important role insects play in our lives. Of particularly note are the many fascinating examples and colorful illustrations sure to engage young readers. ARC courtesy of Henry Holt and Company, an imprint of Macmillan.

INSECTS from DK Findout! provides photographs and information about a wide range of insects including ants, beetles, butterflies, moths, bees, wasps, damselflies, dragonflies, grasshoppers, and crickets. In addition, readers learn about types of insects, useful insects, and more. A quiz provides the chance for readers to test their knowledge.

To visit the website, go to https://www.dkfindout.com/us/animals-and-nature/insects/.

Synergy: Transportation

Transportation is the movement of people, products, or goods from one place to another. A vehicle such as a truck, train, bus, ship, or other form of transportation may be used as a carrier.

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MEANS OF TRANSPORT THAT CHANGED THE WORLD by Tom Velcovsky explores the history of transport through key milestones in travel and transportation. From ships and air balloons to space travel, readers explore specific examples that represent key innovations through history. ARC courtesy of Albatros Media, an imprint of Ingram Publisher Services.

AMERICA ON THE MOVE from the National Museum of American History examines transportation through American history. Over a dozen project pages use collection artifacts to share stories about travel and transportation.

To visit the website, go to https://americanhistory.si.edu/america-on-the-move.

Synergy: Bigotry

Bigotry is the unreasonable attachment to or intolerance of a belief or opinion. Specifically, bigotry is prejudice against a person based on their membership in a particular group such as a race or religion.

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DAYS OF INFAMY: HOW A CENTURY OF BIGOTRY LED TO JAPANESE AMERICAN INTERNMENT by Lawrence Goldstone is part of the True Stories in Focus series. This title examines iniquities of the American justice system and the history of racism. Although the emphasis is on the deportation and detention of Japanese Americans during World War II, this work of nonfiction also explores other key events in Japanese American history. ARC courtesy of Scholastic Focus.

The NATIONAL JAPANESE AMERICAN MEMORIAL FOUNDATION website provides resources related to Japanese American history. The LEARN section explores the history of forced removal and incarceration, the American soldiers, discrimination, and the American Civil Liberties Act of 1988. The PROGRAMS area provides educational resources.

To visit the website, go to https://www.njamemorial.org/

Synergy: Knots

Knots are a fastening made by tying a piece of rope or string. Interlacing, twining, looping, and other techniques are used for typing knots. Knots are used in tying shoes, hunting, camping, boating, and arts and crafts projects.

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KNOTS FOR KIDS by Buck Tilton introduces young readers to step-by-step instructions for tying a wide range of useful knots. High-quality photographs and illustrations using a variety of rope and string make it easy to reproduce each knot. ARC courtesy of Falcon Guides.

ANIMATED KNOTS provides easy-to-use instructions and high quality photos to teach users how to make dozens of knots.

To visit the website, go to https://www.animatedknots.com/.

Timely Take-Aways for Life-Long Learning: Writers and Writing

Several recently published and upcoming titles explore writing and writers. From unconventional writing rules to new ways of presenting content, explore approaches to writing, spaces for creation, and techniques to jumpstart writing.

Robert’s Rules of Writing, Second Edition: 111 Unconventional Lessons that Every Writer Needs to Know

Robert Masello, 2021, Allworth, an imprint of Simon & Schuster

Themes: Language Arts, Communication, Writing

Exploring problems and issues faced by writers across genres, the author challenges traditional approaches and provides over 100 useful and often humorous ideas.

Take-aways: Students will enjoy many of Masello’s practical writing suggestions. Weave them into classroom presentations or post “the rules” on a bulletin board.

The New Academic: A Researcher’s Guide to Writing and Presenting Content in a Modern World

Simon Clews, 2023, Sourcebooks

Themes: Language Arts, Communications, Writing

Although designed for academics, this book explores practical ways to think about sharing information for anyone interested in writing, speaking, profiling, and communicating. The hands-on approach provides useful examples and publishing ideas.

Take-aways: Use this book to make real-world writing assignments and encourage students to think about audiences that go beyond the classroom. Consider about ways to collaborate across the curriculum for authentic writing projects.

Write Away! Poetry: Guided Poetry Journal with 75+ Writing Prompts

Editors, 2023, Chartwell Books

Themes: Language Arts, Writing, Journaling

With over 75 writing prompts, this guided-journal provides ideas for playing with memory, words, senses, and form. Although designed for poetry writing, the ideas can be adapted for other types of writing experiences.

Take-aways: Weave the writing prompts in the classroom as part of springboard or reflection activities.

Writer’s Retreat: Literary Cabins, Creative Hideaways, and Favorite Writing Spaces of Iconic Authors

Neil Burkey, 2021, Imagine, an imprint of Charlesbridge Publishing

Themes: Language Arts, Literary Figures, Biography

Exploring the writing spaces of over 50 authors, this fascinating quick-read provides unique insights into the writers, their works, and the places they create.

Take-aways: Personalize your examination of the authors already found in the curriculum by adding insights about the locations where they wrote.

Rooms of their Own: Where Great Writers Write

Alex Johnson, 2022, Frances Lincoln, an imprint of Quarto Group

Themes: Language Arts, Literary Figures, Biography

Readers explore the spaces, habits, and rituals of 50 famous writers. Going beyond the locations themselves, the book examines how specific spaces impact the writing process.

Take-aways: Use the examples in this book to talk with students about the connection between authors and place. Also, connect to personal habits and writing rituals.

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Whether helping educators keep up-to-date in their subject-areas, promoting student reading in the content-areas, or simply encouraging nonfiction leisure reading, teacher librarians need to be aware of the best new titles across the curriculum and how to activate life-long learning. - Annette Lamb

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Synergy: Experiments

 

Experiments are procedures designed to support or refute a hypothesis. They demonstrate what outcome occurs when a particular variable is manipulated. To children, hands-on, scientific experiments can seem like magic.

Read the recently published nonfiction book, then learn more at the website:

THE SCIENCE SPELL BOOK: MAGICAL EXPERIMENTS FOR KIDS by Cara Florance provides a fun way for children to learn about physics, biology, and chemistry through common household items. From using electricity to draw pictures to creating a fluorescent feast, readers explore the science behind magical experiments. Chapter titles such as illumination, sorcery, and alchemy enhance the magic theme, while the individual experiments keeping the focus on real-world science concepts. ARC courtesy of Sourcebooks Explore.

YOUTUBE features video channels that connect the science with the fun of magic tricks. For instance, 5-MINUTE MAGIC provides short videos on a wide range of topics. The playlists includes topics such as science experiments, magic tricks, and top experiments.

To watch videos, go to https://www.youtube.com/c/5MINUTEMAGIC.