I have been obsessed with Dr. Rudine Bishop Sims’s quote about books as mirrors, windows, and sliding glass doors ever since I first heard it. So true. So powerful. When I saw Grant Snider’s print inspired by the quote, I knew I had to get it. After the reading specialist at my school transformed a long hallway into a magical, Disney-like space, I jumped into transforming some of the new, diverse texts I’d gotten for the book room into my own hallway display. It’s hard to have a favorite metaphor from the display, but I love this last part:

I overheard some students saying that “Books are music!” I hope they submit it for the display!

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

• The Harry Potter Club will TOTALLY be making these!
• “Questions as Learning Target Prompts” from Two Writing Teachers aligns with inquiry-based minilessons that I learned about at LFA a couple years ago!
• This book is getting lots of buzz in literacy land.
• SEL Quick Writes from author, Paula Borque, on the Stenhouse blog
• The importance of the Share in our Writers’ Workshop
• Great tips for professional conferences!
• THIS IS AUTHENTIC, ENGAGING ASSESSMENT! Do you follow @Jess5th on Twitter? Get on it!
• Mental health break: “‘Canine library’ offers chance to check out therapy dogs”