Mrs. HP Teacher Librarian!

Days of Tears I read Day of Tears by Julius Lester. Day of Tears takes place in Georgia, a southern state in the United States, beginning March 2, 1859 and ending approximately 50 years later. At this time, slavery is legal in the United States, and Georgia is a slave state. Day of Tears is based on the largest slave auction in the United States, selling 436 enslaved African Americans over the course of two days. Slave owner, Pierce Butler was addicted to gambling, and sold the slaves to cover his gambling debts. He made over $300,000 at the slave auction. At the start of the auction, a torrential rainstorm occurred, finally stopping at the end of the auction.  I was unfamiliar with this event, and the people involved. I learned not only about the largest slave auction, but Pierce Butler, his ex wife Fanny Kimble, and their two daughters, Sarah and Frances. Piece and Fanny divorced because she was not a subservient wife, and did not be believe in the institution of slaver...

      Today starts the official day of the 5 Book Challenge.  WMS students have 5 months to read 5 books of their choice.  Upon completion of each book, they need to fill out a Google form to answer questions about their book.  Because of the pandemic, our school site chose not renew the licenses for Accelerated Reader.  Once quarantine started, students stopped testing.  And to be honest, my students had/have mixed feelings regarding AR.  Having a reading incentive program that allows students free book choice was an extremely attractive replacement.      I took a webinar with Follet (the organization that manages our library books). Carrie Friday, a librarian in Florida, inspired me to follow her lead regarding introducing a book challenge to our school site. (She is also very generous in giving access to her material). I proposed it to my principal, and created a Go Fund Me to purchases prizes and incentives for participants...