Recently my family had dinner in a little Mexican cantina, and I was fascinated by the many dichos covering the walls.  Dichos are proverbs, or pithy cultural truths.  This one caught my eye:
 
Cuando joben, de illusiones; cuando biejo, de recuerdos.
[For the young, dreams; for the old, memories.]
 
Here's a simple test to see if you're burning out on the job.  Are your happiest thoughts of work dreams of the future, or memories of good times from the past?

This week, we've got some excellent web resources for National Poetry Month in April.  Poetry is such a wonderful way to build delight in language and awareness of words.  Plus more as always - enjoy!
 
 Brenda Power
Editor, Choice Literacy
 

Free for All

 
Two articles from the Choice Literacy Archives to get you thinking about the power and beauty of language this month -
 
From Shirley McPhillips, "Messengers" is a lovely poem and message about how poetry can move us, and why it is essential in classrooms:
 
http://www.choiceliteracy.com/public/464.cfm
 
Ruth Shagoury shares how dichos are a wonderful way to learn about the home cultures our students bring to classrooms, as well as a charming means to decorate walls with community beliefs:
 
http://www.choiceliteracy.com/public/150.cfm
 
This is an amazing project from Gregory K. of the GottaBook blog.  30 Poets/30 Days will feature a new poem each day in April from top children's poets, including Kristin O'Connell George, Mary Ann Hoberman, X.J. Kennedy, Lee Bennett Hopkins, Jane Yolen, Janet Wong. . .and many more.  There are also links to interviews of poets and daily poems from children:
 
http://tinyurl.com/ct8dgo
 
The Academy of American Poets has a treasure trove of resources for April celebrations, including new poems, quotes, lesson plans for teachers, and links for students:
 
http://www.poets.org/page.php/prmID/41
 
What literacy lover hasn't made a poem with Magnetic Poetry's words on a fridge or whiteboard?  Students can now create virtual magnetic poems at this site, as well as read recent creations from their peers:
 
http://www.magpo.com/kidspoetry/


Delight in Words is one of our new Choice Literacy Workshop offerings this summer.  Franki Sibberson will share a wealth of booklists and activities for linking word learning with children's literature.  The workshop will be offered in Ohio, Maine, and Oregon:
 
http://www.choiceliteracy.com/public/860.cfm
 
Workshops Update:  The CAFE in the Classroom Workshop is now SOLD OUT at the Portland, Oregon and Columbus, Ohio locations.  Space remains at the San Antonio, Texas; Portland, Maine; and Tacoma, Washington sites.  You can access registration forms for the open locations at this link:
 
http://www.choiceliteracy.com/public/600.cfm


 
 
For Members Only

How can teachers build more self-awareness in young learners as they read nonfiction? In this week's video, Franki Sibberson leads her students in a nonfiction goal-setting brainstorming session.  She also explains how her curriculum has evolved over the years to include more nonfiction browsing and instruction time:
 
http://www.choiceliteracy.com/members/769.cfm
 
Getting more out of lesson debriefs is a goal of many literacy leaders.  In "Tips for More Effective Debrief Sessions," Clare Landrigan and Tammy Mulligan share strategies and seven different observation templates for participants to download and try out:
 
http://www.choiceliteracy.com/members/859.cfm
 
We've posted a new Choice Literacy Cluster on Inferring, with contributions from Andie Cunningham, Mary Lee Hahn, Katie Doherty, and "The Sisters" (Gail Boushey and Joan Moser):
 
http://www.choiceliteracy.com/members/858.cfm
 
Finally, we've added 20 clusters to the site since we began this feature in September, and their popularity is growing.  We've started a new Clusters Department so members can browse all of them in one spot.  The department link is available below, as well as in righthand margin of the homepage:
 
http://www.choiceliteracy.com/public/department71.cfm
 

That's all for this week!

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