Our fabulous librarian just handed me Kadir Nelson’s, Heart and Soul The Story of America and African Americans (Harper Collins, 2011). At first, the weight of the book struck me, as did the heartening illustrations on every page of the book. That’s how deep and heavy the pictures are. If you want to take a trip back in time, through the story and the life like images in HEART AND SOUL, buy this book!!! It could easily be incorporated into a history class, as it tells the story of America and African Americans from colonial days through to the civil… Read More
At the gentle prompting of Arnold Adoff, I am doing some research on the brave men and women who were breaking down barriers during the Civil Rights Movement. Their names, however, are not well known. Here’s one woman I did not know about, Autherine Juanita Lucy.
“Autherine Lucy was accepted to the University of Alabama. Once the university realized she was African-American, they told her state law did not allow her to attend. Marshall and other lawyers worked with Lucy to sue the university. After years of courtroom battles, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 1955
War, peace, power, violence…Things that I am thinking about today, as my students prepare for what’s to be a powerful day of SPOKEN WORDS. We know that words have so much power, whether alone by itself or grouped together to make a point. Just watch… Read More
The esteemed poet, Arnold Adoff, always inspires me when he comments on my blog because I learn something new each time. The following comment was in response to my post on Authors Remember the Civil Rights Movement, of which the late Virginia Hamilton and Arnold Adoff are featured.
thanks so much, amy…my piece was taken from a longer interview with open road as we worked together to enhance some of virginia’s ebooks they are putting out there…will be twelve titles very soon…and my collection of virginia’s speeches, essays and conversations will be out in ebook format with scholastic…
As you can see I am not blacking out today but I do support the movement. To me, when Dr. King spoke of peaceful resistant he did it through voice and action. There is a time to be silent but not when you’re a teacher. Students don’t always understand silence. I believe we can send a strong message through the power of the keyboard and our voices. I would not want to be silenced because too many people lost their lives to give us our voices.
In blog news…
Bur Bur and Friends bloggers, Kakie Fitzsimmons and JoAnne Pastel are sharing
Last year for my birthday, I remember quite well – wishing and praying for little Christina-Taylor Greene and the other victims of the Arizona shooting. I remember how awful I felt for the families and all affected. One year later, and much has transpired in my own life. Breast cancer, surgery, reconstruction, chemotherapy — it seems endless — but I am grateful to be here and grateful to have another birthday.
Laura De Silva from Open Road Integrated Media sent me this valuable video with interviews featuring Alice Walker – as well Virginia Hamilton (M.C. Higgins, the Great) and William Styron (The Confessions of Nat Turner). I would have posted it yesterday but my blog software was ‘acting up’… Read More
Romeo Riley by April M. Whitt is a teacher of students with Special Needs and new Children’s Author
The ChairScholars Foundation provides scholarships for college or vocational training to low-income students with severe physical disabilities – allowing them the opportunity to pursue their dreams. Any motivated young person with a physical disability and a dream can apply for a scholarship.
Arfa Karim Randhawa, the 16-year-old computer programming prodigy from Pakistan, is making miraculous progress – according to doctors. Please read the following GeekWire article for updates.
Amy Bowllan began her career as a Television Investigative Producer and Reporter for WCBS-TV NY and KNXV in Phoenix, AZ. She also snagged two Emmy awards for Broadcast Journalism and several Associated Press awards. She now is the Director of Diversity and Educational Technology at The Hewitt School in NYC and is responsible for integrating technological resources into staff and students day to day programs. Contact her via Twitter @abowllan or email her at abowllan.
