Synergy: Eggs

EGGS are roundish objects usually containing a developing embryo. Laid by female creatures such as birds, reptiles, fish, or invertebrates, eggs may be covered with a hard or leathery shell. When the creature is ready to survive on its own, it hatches.

Read the recently published nonfiction picture book for children, then learn more at the websites:

WHOSE EGG IS THAT? written by Darrin Lunde and illustrated by Kelsey Oseid is a picture book for young learners. Part of the Whose is That? Series, the book provides visual hints to spark inquiries into animals, eggs and their habitats. The simple text and illustrations will appeal to young learners and focus their attention on the seven interactive guessing games. ARC courtesy of Charlesbridge, and imprint of Penguin Random House.

KIDS LEARN ABOUT ANIMALS THAT HATCH is a short video with a game component that reviews animals that hatch.

To watch the video, go to https://youtu.be/vq8-wqGYve0.

FROM EGG TO ANIMAL is a short, easy to read article from Time for Kids exploring animals that hatch from eggs.

To read the article, go to https://www.timeforkids.com/k1/from-egg-to-animal/?rl=en-650.

AT RISK ANIMALS AND THEIR UNUSUAL EGGS is an article from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service about different types of eggs.

To read the article, go to https://www.fws.gov/story/risk-animals-and-their-unusual-eggs.

WHICH CAME FIRST addresses the classic riddle about eggs and chickens.

To read the article, go to https://www.science.org.au/curious/earth-environment/which-came-first-chicken-or-egg.

Synergy: The Holocaust

The Holocaust was the systematic murder of millions of Jews during World War II. This genocide occurred between 1941 and 1945 across German-occupied Europe. Although primarily focused on the Jewish population, mass-killings of other relatively small, targeted populations also occurred during the Holocaust era.

Read the three recently published books for youth, then learn more at the websites:

THE BOY WHO FOLLOWED HIS FATHER INTO AUSCHWITZ by Jeremy Dronfield is a work of nonfiction narrative adapted for young readers. Based on primary resources including a diary and interviews, readers learn about the challenges faced by two brothers who experienced the Holocaust very differently. ARC courtesy of Quill Tree Books, an imprint of HarperCollins.

HARBORING HOPE by Susan Hood tells the true story of Henny Sinding who saved Danish Jews during the Holocaust. Written for middle grade and young adult readers, the nonfiction novel-in-verse shares the essential role of resistance fighters during Germany’s occupation of Denmark. The book includes primary sources, photographs, and additional information to extend the experience. ARC courtesy of HarperCollins.

QUESTIONS I AM ASKED ABOUT THE HOLOCAUST by Hedi Fried is a young reader’s edition of an autobiographical text for adults. The book is organized around dozens of questions that provide young people with unique insights into the challenges this Auschwtiz survivor faced during and after the Holocaust. The book concludes with background information and context. ARC courtesy of Scribble US, an imprint of Ingram Publisher Services.

The HOLOCAUST ENCYCLOPEDIA is a reference database from the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. This searchable resource provides access to thousands of articles and primary source documents.

To search the database, go to https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/.

YAD VASHEM: The World Holocaust Remembrance Center is a website sharing information about the Holocaust, digital collections, and a database of victims.

To explore the website, go to https://www.yadvashem.org/.

Synergy: Abraham Lincoln

ABRAHAM LINCOLN (1809-1865) served as the 16th president of the United States. Leading the nation during the American Civil War, he abolished slavery, preserved the nation, and modernized the economy. He was assassinated just days before the end of the war.

Read the recently published work of nonfiction for middle grades, then learn more at the websites:

MR. LINCOLN SITS FOR HIS PORTRAIT by Leonard S. Marcus uses a historical photograph to jumpstart a discussion of Abraham Lincoln and a day in this life. The author’s use of historical photos, artifacts, and timelines along with the short text blocks will draw the attention of young readers. In addition, youth will enjoy the way Lincoln’s son Tad is woven into the narrative. This book provides an engaging alternative to the many traditional Lincoln biographies already available in the library. ARC courtesy of Farrar, Straus and Giroux, an imprint of Macmillan.

ABRAHAM LINCOLN is an article from National Geographic Kids providing an introduction to Abraham Lincoln.

To read the article, go to https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/abraham-lincoln.

THE MASK OF LINCOLN is an online exhibit from the National Portrait Gallery sharing photographs of Lincoln during his presidency.

To explore the exhibit, go to https://npg.si.edu/exhibit/lincoln/.

Synergy: Moon Phases

The Moon’s cycle is divided into four phases: new moon, first quarter, full moon, and last quarter. The four minor phases are waxing crescent, waxing gibbous, waning gibbous, and waning crescent. The lunar cycle changes gradually over approximately 29.53 days as the Moon’s position around Earth and Earth around the Sun shift.

Read the recently published children’s nonfiction picture book, then learn more at the websites:

THE MOON TONIGHT: OUR MOON’S JOURNEY AROUND EARTH written by Jung Chang-hoon and illustrated by Jang Ho tracks the moon in the night sky through its four phases: crescent, quarter, full, and new. This beautifully illustrated picture book combines space science with the experiences of a child enjoying the night sky and outdoor activities. The book concludes with additional facts. ARC courtesy of Blue Dot Kids Press, an imprint of Ingram Publisher Services.

MOON PHASES from TimeAndDate provides local information about moon phases.

To visit the website, go to https://www.timeanddate.com/moon/phases/.

MOON IN MOTION from NASA explains the positions of the Moon and the Sun. The project includes both still images and an interactive to demonstrate the moon phases.

To visit the web page, go to https://moon.nasa.gov/moon-in-motion/moon-phases/.

MOON PHASES from Crash Course is a short video discussing the names and causes of the Moon’s phases.

To watch the video, go to https://youtu.be/AQ5vty8f9Xc.

Timely Take-aways for life-long Learners: Strong Women Around the World

From a planetary scientist to a pirate’s wife, several new autobiographies and biographies explore the lives of lesser-known women through history. Whether using her position as first lady to support educational projects or solving crimes on the high seas, these nontraditional women left powerful legacies.

A Portrait of the Scientist as a Young Woman: A Memoir
Lindy Elkins-Tanton, May 2022, William Morrow, HarperCollins
Themes: Memoir, Science, Women

Elkins-Tanton overcame a traumatic childhood and ovarian cancer to become the principal investigator on a major space exploration project. Her engaging story shares personal connections with science and how these experiences lead her to find meaning in life.

Take-aways: Teachers will find useful examples that demonstrate how to nurture a passion for science in students, particularly young women.

A Woman of Adventure:
The Life and Times of First Lady Lou Henry Hoover
Annette B. Dunlap, June 2022, Potomac Books and Longleaf Services
Themes: Biography, First Ladies, Women

While supporting her husband’s political career and the needs of her family, Lou Henry Hoover was still able to promote educational opportunities for women. This engaging biography shares the fascinating life and powerful legacy of this less-known first lady.

Take-aways: Students are likely familiar with first ladies such as Eleanor Roosevelt. Use this biography to demonstrate the achievements of first lady Lou Henry Hoover.

Woman, Captain, Rebel:
The Extraordinary True Story of a Daring Icelandic Sea Captain
Margaret Willson, January 2023, Sourcebooks
Themes: Biography, Maritime History, Women

This fast-paced, well-researched biography tells the story of Captain Thurídur Einarsdóttir, a woman who fought for human rights as Iceland’s most famous female sea captain. Whether solving a robbery or challenging social norms, this powerful woman fought for underrepresented Icelanders.

Take-aways: Women’s stories are underrepresented in the world history curriculum. Feature the story of Captain Thurídur Einarsdóttir to demonstrate the ongoing struggles of women in nontraditional roles.

The Pirate’s Wife: The Remarkable True Story of Sarah Kidd
Daphne Palmer Geanacopoulos, Dec 2022, Hanover Square Press, HarperCollins
Themes: Biography, Maritime History, Women

During the Golden Age of Piracy, socialite turned legendary accomplice Sarah Kidd fought behind the scenes in support of her infamous pirate husband. This work of narrative nonfiction connects this resourceful woman to the larger story of pirate wives.

Take-aways: Traditional pirate stories overlook the role wives played in support of their swashbuckling husbands. Weave this example into the broader context of the Golden Age of Piracy.

In Search of Amrit Kaur: A Lost Princess and Her Vanished World
Livia Manera Sambuy, Mar 2023, Farrar, Straus and Giroux, Macmillan
Themes: Biography, World History, Women

Livia Manera Sambuy traces the forgotten story of H. H. Amrit Kaur of Mandi, a woman who left her family for personal freedom and spoke out for women’s rights.

Take-aways: Teachers are always looking for less-known stories and perspectives.

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