Catherine, Called Birdy movie

I didn't realize they've made a movie out of the first book by Karen Cushman (who also wrote the Midwife's Apprentice).

It's coming out Oct. 7 and will be on Amazon Prime

It covers a similar period of time to the Midwife's Apprentice and might be of interest for some comparisons? It is PG-13. FYI

Trailer:
https://youtu.be/fPiztxYR9sU

How an Eighth-Grade Civics Class Helped Reverse the Last Conviction in the Salem Witch Trials

From NY Times Learning - you may find this interesting/useful

Lesson Plan: How an Eighth-Grade Civics Class Helped Reverse the Last Conviction in the Salem Witch Trials
Students will learn about the power of civic action to achieve justice — even 329 years later. Then, they will propose their own plan to rectify a wrong in their own community.

This actually happened in North Andover, just up the road!

Tiny Memoir Contest for Students

This may be of interest to you -- either as a contest, or just as an activity/lesson.

The New York Times has a Tiny Memoir Contest for Students. They invite teenagers to tell a true story about a meaningful life experience in just 100 words. Contest dates: Sept. 14 to Oct. 12.

To help, they have a step-by-step guide full of advice that is grounded in 25 excellent 100-word mentor texts.

If your students actually want to enter, they must be a student ages 13 to 19 in middle school or high school to participate, and all students must have parent or guardian permission to enter. Please see the F.A.Q. section for additional eligibility details

Public radio archive of Latinx, Hispanic and Spanish-language programs

TadioWorld: AAPB Releases Resources to Honor Hispanic Heritage. "To honor Hispanic Heritage Month, the American Archive of Public Broadcasting (AAPB) is releasing a selection of documentaries, interviews and other archival material for stations to air. The resources highlight the AAPB’s archive of Latinx, Hispanic and Spanish-language programs created by public radio broadcasters for radio and television. The material includes more than 8,000 newly added broadcasts from Linea Abierta, the only nationally-aired, Spanish-language, public radio call-in show."

Hamilton Education Program Online

The Hamilton Education Program Online provides students, teachers, and parents with the opportunity to explore America’s Founding Era and shows students how to use that knowledge to create and perform their own narrative in the form of a song, rap, spoken word, or scene.

Students who create a performance piece are eligible for our national competition and lottery—now open for submissions. Here are the details:

• We will select a total of 20 winners—10 performances chosen by our judging panel and 10 performances chosen at random.
• This program is open to both school and—new in 2022—at-home submissions.
• Up to 3 submissions per parent or teacher are allowed.
• Winners will be invited to New York City for an all-expenses-paid, full-day theater experience, including a performance of Hamilton, in Spring 2023.
• Submissions are open to all students in grades 6-12.
• Deadline to submit performances: December 16, 2022.

To help them in their journey, the program features expert advice from Lin-Manuel Miranda, the cast of Hamilton, and the Gilder Lehrman Institute’s master teachers on how to research, create, and perform their own original performance piece.

Ready to get started? Visit this page to create a free account and please email if you have any questions

Steph Curry Livestream Event

I have signed up for this 30 minute event for kids with NBA Superstar Stephen Curry that will be held over Microsoft Teams from 1-1:30 Eastern Time on Tuesday, October 4.
I'd like to host one 5th grade team in the library for this event. If more than one team is interested, I'll do a drawing.

I have purchased 3 copies of Stephen Curry's new inspirational picture book, "I have a superpower" (spoiler alert: he puts his heart into what he does) that I will give away to students on the participating team.

The participating team can also submit questions in advance through Flip and get a chance to win a poster and be featured in the event. See below for more details.

Translating "Hamilton" into German

This was fascinating!

Six Lyrics That Show Why ‘Hamilton’ Is Tough to Translate

Ideas for Building Community

10 Ideas for Building Community at the Start of the School Year

Inspired by lighthearted New York Times features from across sections, these exercises can help students get to know one another.

• Make something with just six items (plus a wild card).
• Debate the silly, or discuss the serious.
• Ask “What’s Going On In This Picture?” with your own photos.
• Play Wordle.
• Describe your Sunday routine.
• List 10 things you can’t live without.
• Compile a playlist.
• Explain a unique skill.
• Debate some Social Q’s.
• Discuss the books you love — or loathe.