Bringing the zeal back to school librarianship.
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March is Women's History Month The Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum join in commemorating and encouraging the study, observance and celebration of the vital role of women in American history. Here's a sample of books I wlll be highlighting this month for children, young adults and adults. 
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This week, my students and I will be celebrating #ReadWokeAcrossAmerica. Created by school librarian Cicely Lewis, this week will highlight picture books that celebrate cultures, dreams and overcoming struggles. Read Woke Across America Week starts March 1, 2021, in honor of Zero Discrimination Day. This day encourages everyone to take action to end the inequalities surrounding income, sex, age, health status, occupation, disability, sexual orientation, drug use, gender identity, race, class, ethnicity and religion that continue to persist around the world. Visit my YouTube page to enjoy read alouds with my dynamic 7th graders as they read picture books this week. The first book we read together was, "Alma and How She Got Her Name," by Juana Martinez-Neal. This story celebrates the beauty of everyone's name and the story of how they were named by their families. The students completed a short written assignment from TeachingBooks and shared their responses on the collaboration board on Nearpod. Our class discussion focused mainly on the uniqueness of their names and how they were named. I learned so much about my students and I hope that they learned a lot about each other. Today's lesson highlight a overlooked civil rights activist in history, Claudette Colvin. I created the lesson using Nearpod, Merriam-Webster Online, Britannica School Online, ABC News and a book from our SORA collection. Copyright © 2020-2021 K.C. Boyd/@Boss_Librarian All Rights Reserved Reproduction or remixing of material or images on this website/blog without written consent is prohibited.    Looking to kick up your social media links to the next level and make them more engaging? Check out MySociaTap social networking app. You can set up an account and within 20 minutes have a new platform for sharing your content.  I love historian Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr., he's a national treasurer. Can't wait to see his new series, "The Black Church: This Is My Story, This Is My Song" which airs tonight. What some people may not realize is he has created a really cool video series called, "Black History In Two Minutes." Short videos that highlight little known black history facts that can be celebrated 365 days of the year and not just for Black History Month. Check it out when you have an opportunity, my students enjoyed the Nearpod lesson today about Garrido.  #SupportBlackBusiness -
📚🖤Purchase your books 365 days of the year from #BlackBookStores. @Oprah Magazine posted a nice map/guide for the U.S. 👉🏾https://www.oprahmag.com/entertainment/books/amp33497812/black-owned-bookstores/ #KC_BlackHistory365 SORA Student and Britannica TutorialSORA Staff TutorialFlipster Tutorial!Want to access full text magazines? Check out this tutorial video where #DCPSatHOME students and teachers can access Time, Essence and Sports Illustrated Jr.! Just sharing a rough draft of a mini-research project my students are working on. The students are learning how to use the database PebbleGo Next.@NewsLitProject #Checkology lesson about ‘Conspiratorial Thinking!’ 💫The program is easy & flexible to use. I can engage students in meaningful conversations while infusing school/district mandated applications such as @nearpod & @MicrosoftTeams #tlchat @dcpsneedslibrarians  The Queen's Book Has Arrived! I've hear nothing but good things about this insightful book about our dear ancestor.  Just arrived in time for the weekend. Charles Blow's, 'The Devil You Know: A Black Power Manifesto." ICYMI - Check out his commentary on CBS Sunday Morning: Charles Blow on the Greatest Threat to our Democracy I just saw her at #ALAMW21 She dropped so much wisdom and knowledge during her interview. She reminded me so much of the women in my family, wise, resilent, bold and humorous. I ordered her autobiography a few just days later. She was a part of my childhood, one of the few black women on television/film. She was regal, dignified and was our precious gem. I celebrate her life and dedication to the black community and womanhood. 
 Proud to serve as a News Literacy Ambassador for this important and much needed organization that supports teaching #newsliteracy for middle and high school students. Yesterday I participated on the NewsLit Office Hours panel discussion with a group a dynamic librarians/media specialists. It was a great way to share how we use The News Lit Project in our own unique ways at our schools. Sign up and become a member of NewsLitNation today! 💥 https://newslit.org/newslit-nation/ #NewsLiteracy    Author, John Light, Jr. "My Mothers Wildrest Dreams," written by John Light, Jr. celebrates the strength, determination and beauty of the women in his family. Light weaves an engaging story describing how throughout the generations, these mothers have deeply loved and influened their children. This influence is desmonstrated through their dreams, faith, soul food, song and mother wit.
The illustration on the first page sets the tone for the story: a young boy curiously looking at the family photos, holding a white rose and questioning who are the women depicted in each photo. As the story progresses, the reader is introduced to these illustrious women throughout each generation. The reader can see the love they have for their family. Illustrator Monica Mikai cleverly incorporates beautiful flowers on each page celebrating each woman's inner beauty. These flowers also symbolize the importance giving these women the respect they deserve while they are living. This is a lovely picture book that students will enjoy during storytime or read independently. A must read and should be included in library collections. When I tell you I read...believe me. |
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The 2020 Newbery Committee
It's the day before the Youth Media Awards where the 2021 Newbery winners are announced. My experience serving on the 2020 Newbery Committee was a special one. It marked the second time I had served on a national awards committee. I had previously served on the Street Literature Book Awards Committee and enjoyed the experience.
The 2020 Newbery Award Selection Committee The year also marked boxes and boxes of books arriving at my home for review. Let me tell you, it was a lot of reading and note taking. There were so many books that were excellent reads and it was difficult to eliminate these titles down to the final five that were represented on the final list. It could only be accomplished through the work of a dedicated committee.
The 2020 Newbery Committee was comprised of librarians from various backgrounds and work experiences from across the country. They brought a rich perspective to the discussions and though our life experiences were different, we found common ground in our love of books. Fueled by coffee, regional snacks and humor, we met in a hot hotel conference room and voted for the 99th Newbery Award Books. I greatly respect all of the committee members and cherish that our relationships continues to this day. Serving on this historic award committee is an event in my life that I will never forget.
As I count down the hours until the winners are announced, I think about this year's committee. They had to read books for consideration during the COVID-19 pandemic. I can only image the stress they have faced during the past year. This year's committee has my utmost respect because I understand that this was challenging. Despite this, I know they will feel the same way I did last year when the awards are announced, proud that they contributed to making history. These books that are selected every year by this esteemed committee are historic and will be loved by children for years to come.
The 2020 Newbery Committee was comprised of librarians from various backgrounds and work experiences from across the country. They brought a rich perspective to the discussions and though our life experiences were different, we found common ground in our love of books. Fueled by coffee, regional snacks and humor, we met in a hot hotel conference room and voted for the 99th Newbery Award Books. I greatly respect all of the committee members and cherish that our relationships continues to this day. Serving on this historic award committee is an event in my life that I will never forget.
As I count down the hours until the winners are announced, I think about this year's committee. They had to read books for consideration during the COVID-19 pandemic. I can only image the stress they have faced during the past year. This year's committee has my utmost respect because I understand that this was challenging. Despite this, I know they will feel the same way I did last year when the awards are announced, proud that they contributed to making history. These books that are selected every year by this esteemed committee are historic and will be loved by children for years to come.
There's a feature on Facebook that I really enjoy looking viewing: On This Day - Memories. These posts remind me of my activies on that day, my mindset and what I was wearing. Sometimes I cringe at the posts because of my fashion choices or worst typos describing what I was doing at the time. Most times, I just beam with pride (I know it sounds corny) because I reflect back on projects and activities I successfully completed. Here's a post from January 17th I would like to share with all of you. It's just for fun and reflection. #KC_SaidIt
When I was a Lead Librarian for the East St. Louis School District in East St. Louis, IL, I was charged with overhauling the district's library programming. This included improving the physical spaces of ten libraries which had been neglected for some years. Overall, the libraries in the district were, 'diamonds in the rough,' The libraries were beautiful but needed refinement and removal of years of debris that had unfortunately accumulated in them. Above are pictures from Lincoln Middle School.
Pictures from my 2020 Future of Education Technology Conference in Miami, Florida. I represented the first school librarian track for this conference by giving four presentations.
I’m so proud of this project! The District of Columbia Public Schools Library Department Librarians who serve on the Library Corps Leadership Advisory Team have produced a recommended list of book/content resources in recognition of the #MLKDay2021 Holiday.
Please enjoy & share.
dcps.instructure.com/courses/211378/pages/mlk-day
Please enjoy & share.
dcps.instructure.com/courses/211378/pages/mlk-day
I won my very first Donors Choose project!
My project, "I Read, We Read, Together We Proceed Forward," celebrates fiction/non-fiction books for middle school readers. The students will be reading about social justice, anti-racism, LGBTQ rights and feminism. My students are avid readers and I know are going to enjoy receiving these books that will become a part of their personal libraries at home.
My hope is I will be able to write and get funded through Donors Choose. Many thanks to those who funded this project.
| We're just 1 month away from our next national #NewsLitCamp — Jan. 26 in partnership with @CNN - Educators: secure your spot now! Learn how to bring news literacy to your classroom & hear from journalists about today's most pressing issues. SIGN UP —> http://bit.ly/newslitcampCNN |  |
When I tell you my students and I battled with the Canva and Clever app on Monday....we battled! I'm still troubleshooting why half the class can access the apps and the other cannot. I just have to remember the golden rule: Excercise extreme patience when working with multiple digital apps. Sometimes they have minor disagreements with each other!
Despite this, here's a brief preview of an Infographic the students are working on together. Gearing up for the MLK Holiday and future digital projects. #KC_SaidIt
Despite this, here's a brief preview of an Infographic the students are working on together. Gearing up for the MLK Holiday and future digital projects. #KC_SaidIt
Here's a couple of books I've enjoyed reading/re-reading over the last couple of weeks. As you will see, I enjoy reading books Kdg-Adult. Enjoy!
K.C. Boyd
Made in #Chicago -
WashingtonDC transplant.
#GoodTrouble
#tlchat
#workWOKE #KC_SaidIt
- 2020 Newbery Selection Committee
- District of Columbia Library Association Distinguished Service Award Recipient
- 2015 Library Journal Mover & Shaker
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