Looking Ahead to Shakespeare's First Folio Tour

First, I apologize for the lack of updates. November and December once again proved to be my blogging downfall. However, I didn't want to let 2015 end without a new post, particularly since the new year is bringing something huge when it comes to English and English education. To commemorate the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's death in 2016, the Folger Shakespeare Library, the Cincinnati Museum Center, and the American Library Association have partnered to bring copies of Shakespeare's First Folio to 53 sites throughout the year. This includes all 50 states plus the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In addition to the First Folio exhibit, the exhibition sites are also going to have related public events and activities.

As a self-professed Shakespeare nerd and a long-time fan of the Folger's approach to Shakespeare, I'm very excited about the potential that the First Folio has for students, teachers, and teacher educators. In addition to seeing the First Folio, which is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, the related events should also offer a great way to get people thinking about Shakespeare. From my conversations with the host site in my state (I've been helping with outreach to my state's other NCTE members), it sounds like these events can include teacher workshops as well as lectures and student-friendly activities and opportunities.

For more information, be certain to visit the Folger page on the First Folio. Besides providing an overview for the First Folio and the tour, the page also has a link to tour dates, locations, and an interactive map.

Are you visiting the First Folio when it comes to a site near you? What do you hope to see or experience when attending the exhibit and/or the related events? Please feel free to share your answers and thoughts in the comments section.

The State of Reading for the Year (So Far)

I can't believe that November is just a week away! Besides being the beginning of the end of the semester, November is the beginning of the craziness of the holiday season. It also has the annual NCTE conference and ALAN Workshop, two of my favorite professional development events.

However, before diving head-first into November, I wanted to reflect on the reading I've done so far this year. While I don't know how much more I'll be able to accomplish in the next two months (grading and traveling will be eating up a lot of time), I'm pretty proud of the number of books I have read. My official count is 60 books, and while I still at least 14 to go if I want to catch up with the number I read in 2014, it is still a decent accomplishment. Here are some of my favorites books from this year so far:

October's Professional Development Opportunities

While I can't believe that it is October already (and that we are only two weeks away from fall break, which marks the mid-point in the semester), the chilly, rainy weather in my little corner of the Midwest assures me that October is here. Besides fall break, cooler temperatures, and Halloween, October also marks a time when things seem to get even busier at schools. While it can be hard to find (or make) time for professional development, I've found that PD can be an invigorating and inspiring. Fortunately, there is a plethora of free online opportunities that can work with crazy schedules.

Banned Books Week 2015

Yesterday (September 27) was the first day of Banned Books Week for 2015. As I wrote last year, Banned Books Week is of special interest to me as a former English teacher and current teacher educator. Besides being a fascinating topic (especially when we start exploring just why certain books have been challenged or banned), it is a timely one for my students. As they think about their future classrooms and what they will be teaching, they often express concern about bringing in more modern literature because of the possibility that the books might invite controversy. This is especially true when it comes to young adult literature.

Book Review: Hope Against Hope - Three Schools. One City, and the Struggle to Educate America's Children

Sometimes you find the right book at the right time. This was my experience with Sarah Carr's Hope Against Hope: Three Schools, One City, and the Struggle to Educate America's Children. I was somewhat reluctant to start it; since so much of my time and energy is spent on education and thinking about, studying, and discussing the state of education, I try to find other topics to read about in my spare time. However, I spied it at a library book sale and was intrigued. My last year teaching high school, several students from New Orleans attended my school after Hurricane. Katrina, and during my time in Boston, I remember discussing the changes that were happening in New Orleans. Since August 2015 marked the 10-year anniversary of the storm that changed the city, I thought that now was the right time to learn more about the school system there, and I am so glad I did this. 

September's Professional Development Opportunities

In August, #nctechat's topic was professional learning networks (PLNs), which is near and dear to my heart. Near the end of the chat, the participants were asked to share their goals regarding PLNs in the next school year. One of my goals is to keep active in my PLN, which is easier said than done. Based on the first week of classes, this looks to be a busy semester! Luckily, there are some great professional development opportunities this month to help keep me engaged with my network and to provide support, ideas, and enthusiasm, even as things get busy.

Schools in New Orleans Featured on PBS Newshour

As the country marks the 10 year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina's devastation in New Orleans, much attention has been given to the revitalization in the city, particularly the changes that have occurred in its schools. Some applaud the city's use of charters, which have essentially taken the place of a traditional public school system, and see the city as a model for urban school renewal. However, critics see the model as deeply flawed, particularly when it comes to students who have exceptionalities or who do not thrive in a setting that demands intense discipline.

The PBS Newshour featured a story on schools in New Orelans last night as part of their 10-year retrospective on Katrina and how the city has coped with its aftermath. What I appreciate about the segment is that it presents both the champions and the critics of the new system, and it allows for a larger discussion on whether this is a model worth emulating in other cities.

Gearing Up for the New (School) Year: A Video Playlist

All last week, the unmistakable signs that the school year was about to begin. Our first-year students were going through orientation, parents were moving students in, and meetings and faculty events were taking place. While I can't believe that summer is over and that it is time to start a new school year, I'm also excited to see my seniors and to get a new batch of secondary education students in my general methods courses.

To help you (and me) get psyched for the new school year, here is my "Welcome to the New School Year" video playlist (after the jump):

August's Professional Development Opportunities

I apologize for not posting in July - the month was dedicated to preparing for a trip, going on a trip, and recovering from the trip. That said, August is upon us, and while some people have the month (or most of the month) off, many others are getting ready to start back to school. To help those of us in the latter category get into the right frame of mind, here are some free online PD opportunities:

June's Professional Development Opportunities

I can't believe that it's June and that another school year has come and gone! I have a lot on my plate this summer, but I'm looking forward to being able to tackle the work at a more relaxed pace. I'm also excited about having the time to do more professional development. While I would love to take part in some of the on-site workshops and conferences, the time, finances, and logistics involved make this difficult for this summer. Luckily, there are a number of upcoming online webinars and other professional development opportunities that provide opportunities for enrichment without the cost of travel or registration fees.

The Young Adult Library Project, Part II

As I posted in January, I've been working on setting up a young adult literature library in my department. While it is, and will likely remain, a work in progress, I'm happy with the strides made this semester. With somewhere between 200 and 300 books, the library is off to a great start, and I can't wait for my students to use it more next school year. For those of you interested in learning more about the process and getting some tips on how you might go about creating your own YA classroom, office, or department library, please keep reading after the jump.

Apologies & Getting Back in the Game

When I started this blog last summer, my goal was to try and post at least once a month. This seemed very doable, and I was able to keep up with it throughout most of the fall semester. Unfortunately, the spring semester was my undoing. However, I'm hoping to get back to blogging on a regular basis this summer. Thanks for your patience, and have a great end of the semester!

February's Free Professional Development

Greetings from the snowy Midwest! Even if it isn't cold and icy where you are, February tends to make it seem like you are in a rut (or are living in a version of Groundhog's Day set in a school). Besides taking some time to decompress and get some much needed rest and relaxation, a great way of getting rejuvenated is to take part in some free webinars and education chats. You'll get some good ideas and connect with some great people, and you can do all of this without having to leave the warmth and comfort of your home (this is a huge bonus if your streets are covered in snow, the temperature is below freezing, and the plow has trapped your car in an icy fortress for the fifth time in three days).

A Young Adult Literature Library Project

One of my projects for 2015 is setting up and establishing a young adult literature library to go along with the already-established children's literature library there. While getting the space and bookcases was quite an undertaking, it was only part of the battle. Right now, my intrepid student assistant and I are in the process of cataloging, marking, and shelving all of my YA books. Here are some of the tools and resources that have been invaluable in this project (which is ongoing):

January's Free Professional Development

January is a time of renewal and resolutions. Whether our goals are professional or personal, the beginning of the year is a perfect time to consider what we've done in the past and think about what we might do better in the future. If one of your new year's resolutions was to continue learning about teaching and education, here are some of this month's free virtual PD opportunities to help you get started!

A (Very) Belated Happy New Year!

I apologize for my long absence from the blog, but the end of the fall semester was especially difficult. Besides the typical end-of-the-semester craziness of grades and finals, I managed to get the flu and food poisoning, so I spent most of the last three weeks of the semester very sick. However, that is in the past, and I'm trying to get ready for the spring semester. With this goal in mind, I turned to one of my favorite poems. To those of you getting ready to return to school (or who have already started), good luck and be ready to "ring in the new"!

In Memoriam (Ring out, wild bells)
by Lord Alfred Tennyson

Ring out, wild bells, to the wild sky,
   The flying cloud, the frosty light:
   The year is dying in the night;
Ring out, wild bells, and let him die.

Ring out the old, ring in the new,
   Ring, happy bells, across the snow:
   The year is going, let him go;
Ring out the false, ring in the true.

Ring out the grief that saps the mind
   For those that here we see no more;
   Ring out the feud of rich and poor,
Ring in redress to all mankind.

Ring out a slowly dying cause,
   And ancient forms of party strife;
   Ring in the nobler modes of life,
With sweeter manners, purer laws.

Ring out the want, the care, the sin,
   The faithless coldness of the times;
   Ring out, ring out my mournful rhymes
But ring the fuller minstrel in.

Ring out false pride in place and blood,
   The civic slander and the spite;
   Ring in the love of truth and right,
Ring in the common love of good.

Ring out old shapes of foul disease;
   Ring out the narrowing lust of gold;
   Ring out the thousand wars of old,
Ring in the thousand years of peace.

Ring in the valiant man and free,
   The larger heart, the kindlier hand;
   Ring out the darkness of the land,
Ring in the Christ that is to be.