Last week, my daily inspiration from Senator Cory Booker’s daily instagram post would make this community smile. His message, 5 Steps to Be a Better Writer –> 1. write 2. write more 3. write when you want to 4. write when you don’t 5. keep on writing. His message of consistency is why at the end of March, I feel like I am a better writer! (Grateful to the March SOL Challenge!)
This week I consistently completed participation in my self-created Summer Virtual Book Club. it started years ago, after a TCRPW Summer Institute, to practice writing about reading. One book, a notebook page and writing instruments. Read. Think. Place thinking onto the notebook page in words and/or images. Such would help the reader read closely and remember.
For the past three summers, I made the conscience effort as a white woman to read about African American history during my summer virtual book club.
Summer of 2020- Stamped.
Summer of 2021 – How the Word is Passed.
Summer of 2022 – How to Raise an Antiracist.
Yesterday, I posted this image after reviewing this read-aloud I made of These Hands, illustrated by the amazing illustrator, Floyd Cooper. I do believe I am getting better at writing about reading. I do think I know more so I can do better. #ConsistencyisKey

*Note – Feel free to ‘steal” my idea to host a virtual book club. I recommend ALL these books. ALL deserve a close read! Feel free to reach out and join my 2023 Virtual Summer Book Club. I encourage you to read ALL picture books by Floyd Cooper (Jan. 8, 1956 – July 15, 2021). Feel free to share my read-aloud with students or look for this book in your public library to do your own read-aloud. I plan to share it as school opens. It will allow us to discuss African American history and reflect on what our hands can accomplish this school year!