Links I Loved Last Week: A Round-up of Online Reading 2/8/15

Monday Morning Quarterback: Post-ALA Awards Commentary

Unadulterated explains all the reasons why this year’s awards were “something else.”

100 Scope Notes invited readers to fill out a Caldecott Comment Card. What I’d put on my own card: Happiest about Viva Frida. Unhappiest about Noisy Paintbox. (Even though I like the book.) Missed: Raul Colon’s Draw!

Beth got to attend the announcements IN PERSON and shares her thoughts here. I especially love her description of Grasshopper Jungle as a “totally WTF book.” I couldn’t agree more. And we both mean that in the best possible way!

Mr Schu featured short interviews with the Newbery winners last week. I especially liked Kwame Alexander’s, but I enjoyed Jacqueline Woodson’s and Cece Bell’s interviews too.

An in-depth conversation about the Caldecott took place in the comments section of Calling Caldecott’s reflection on the winners.

Kate Milford’s post about why This One Summer deserved a Caldecott Honor is a must-read, especially if you’re shocked or dismayed.

The Writing Life

June Letters has some terrific advice for writing personal essays and personal blog posts. I especially love the idea of start writing immediately, even if it’s on a napkin.

Julieanne celebrates signs that her students are developing independent writing lives.

The Teaching Life

Just when I thought I was over wanting my own One Little Word for the year, I read Kelsey’s post about her word and decided to just go for it. I don’t know if I’ll get around to blogging about my one little word anytime soon, but here it is: PRESENT.

In a beautiful reflective post, one of my students, Maggie Vinton, shares her journey to changing her degree program and choosing education. And her mother’s very wise words about life being a process not a destination absolutely apply to teaching as well. (You will definitely want to click through for the photo of the dinosaur wearing mittens.)

Erika’s post at Three Teachers Talk about taking her students on a field trip to Barnes & Noble is a really important read. It got me thinking about the ways that we could work to find and create public spaces where all of our students feel like they belong.

I hope all of my pre-service teachers will bookmark this Nerdy Book Club post about reading by principal Jim Bailey to share with their administrators.

Gigi McAllister recommends 10 Books for Fans of Diary of a Wimpy Kid. Can’t wait to share this post in Children’s Lit!