Welcome back, Cardinals! Initially, I was struggling with what to post to launch this year’s Literacy Links, but when I saw this, I knew it was “the one”. Have you noticed that picture books are labeled “E” in the Dewey Decimal System? The “E” technically stands for “easy”, but many picture books are as or even more eloquent, poetic, and impressive than some chapter books. This is exactly why I used several picture books as mentor texts EVERY SINGLE DAY when I was a classroom teacher. I considered my day a failure if I read less than three. So when I saw a librarian’s Tweet about rebranding the “E” to mean “everyone”, I immediately shared it with our amazing librarian at Center School! What a great way to help remove the stigma that older kids  sometimes feel when they read picture books. I’m all about reading anything, and picture books are one of my favorite mediums to read. They really are for everyone.

Here is this week’s roundup of literacy links for some quick inspiration, tips, and refreshment:

• Launching Writing Workshop with Passion and Purpose from Two Writing Teachers
• Wordless News – Great for inferring in the upper grades. Be sure to preview because some may be too mature for kids.
• Looking for some new back-to-school read alouds? Check out this list. My list would include #5, #7, #9, and #17. I just put #13 on hold at the library because I’ve never read it!
• Time to rethink “What I Did Over Summer Vacation” writing prompts. Luckily, Whole Hearted School Counseling has provided some alternatives.
• Don’t worry, Center teachers. I’ve already requested ALL of these and these from the library since we all start the year launching Writers’ Workshop and writing personal narratives.
• Mental health break: Booking a trip on these the next time I’m down in RI!