BookSpring, a 45 year old early literacy non-profit in Austin Texas, is providing rich digital content base on its time-tested educator kits online for families through 52 Weekly Themes for ages 3-5 and 6-8. Each week, a new theme related to early childhood curriculum is released with a video prompt to activate prior knowledge from Bibi the Butterfly, followed with a series of curated digital books in browser-based and downloadable pdf form. These resources are followed with reflection questions, suggested follow up activities, and additional resources to extend the learning at home. The materials are offered under a Creative Commons By-Share Alike license and available in both Spanish and English. The themes start in August 2020 and are planned to be completed in August 2021, and will be sustained online indefinitely. Plans for Toddler units (24-36 months) and older children (9-12) are being considered for future development. No log in is required, but donations are welcome and eligible as charitable contributions for the U.S. IRS. Aligned to multiple subjects in the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for grades K-3, as well as the Texas Prekindergarten Guidelines (not currently available on OER for alignment) https://tea.texas.gov/academics/early-childhood-education/texas-prekindergarten-guidelines

This article provides links to six web sites that provide an overview of cause/effect relationships, graphic organizers, and teaching strategies for elementary teachers.

This unit focuses on children’s book illustrators who are from families of African American artists and authors. My goal is to use a new lens and approach when bringing the picture book art to my students through literature we enjoy throughout the year. This artist/author study includes the works of Leo and Diane Dillon, a husband and wife team who have been creating art together since they met at the Parsons School of Design in 1953; Jerry and Brian Pinkney, father and son, who have earned between them dozens of awards and recognitions for their work on children’s books; and, Donald Crews, Ana Jonas, and their daughter, Nina Crews, all authors and illustrators of a great variety of picture books and stories.

Students will study the work of the author Todd Parr. Working in pairs, students will create their own poster in the style of Parr that conveys a positive message. Finished posters can be displayed around your school for other students and teachers to view.

As a primary-level teacher, I am responsible for creating a classroom that operates as a community, with everyone’s voice included in the day-to-day environment and provides opportunities for students to learn through literature, science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics. Key components of our school theme include equity and inclusion making social-emotional learning integral to any academic learning that takes place throughout the day. This unit will provide my students the opportunity to build an understanding of how we are all important to help make positive changes the world in the ways that we can.