Digital visual dictionary for refugees

In Germany, a new tool is being used to ease the adjustment for the new immigrants coming from the Middle East, especially children. It is a digital visual dictionary. Read more here-http://www.slj.com/2016/01/literacy/digital-visual-dictionary-bridges-language-gap-for-refugees/#_

I love it when we can use a tool of our culture to assist with a problem in our culture.

Words

Language and literacy connect us to words. Words are fascinating. We take so much for granted, especially in language. Do you ever stop to think about this question I received from my ELL student—What is the difference in sandwich, hamburger, and hotdog? After thinking about the question I wondered— how about, pizza, tacos, pita, etc.? Perhaps, there is a “sandwich” in every culture.

In the spirit of my curiosity about words, I subscribe to and receive a daily email called A.Word.A.Day. Typically, each week has a theme. Here is the email I received today—
“A.Word.A.Day with Anu Garg

If you have ever wondered why a petticoat is called a petticoat, here’s the scoop. It is, literally, a petty coat. Or used to be. In the beginning it was an undercoat worn by men. Over time, it jumped from men to women. And then it slipped from shoulders to waist. That’s language for you. Don’t try to make sense of it.

And, whatever you do, do not look for much logic in it. Or claim that because a word meant such and such earlier, it should mean the same today.

This week we’ll discuss words related to clothing that are used metaphorically. And like petticoat, we’ll start from the top and start sliding down as the week progresses.

brass hat
PRONUNCIATION: (bras hat)”

MEANING:
noun: A high-ranking official, especially from the military or police.

ETYMOLOGY:
From the gilt insignia worn on the cap. Also see brass ring, brass collar, brassy. Earliest documented use: 1887.

USAGE:
“‘I don’t understand why a brass hat from the police would want to talk to me,’ I tell him. ‘I’m just a passing academic.’”               Shashi Warrier; The Girl Who Didn’t Give Up; Tranquebar Press; 2015.

See more usage examples of brass hat in Vocabulary.com’s dictionary.

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:
If triangles had a God, he would have three sides. -Charles de Montesquieu, philosopher and writer (18 Jan 1689-1755)

Meaning of words changing

We talked about words changing, words coming, and words going. See “Should Slut be Retired” in the NYTimes.

“The word “slut,” says Leora Tanenbaum, has changed.

Once largely derogatory, she writes in her new book, “I Am Not a Slut: Slut-Shaming in the Age of the Internet,” the word has become a way for girls and women themselves “to assert a positive, even defiant attitude about their sexuality.” Ms. Tanenbaum believes this assertion is misplaced — the word “slut,” she argues, is too dangerous to be reclaimed.

While not everyone sees the word “slut” the same way Ms. Tanenbaum does, many agree that girls and women today face intense and conflicting pressures when it comes to their sexuality. And to push back against those pressures, some say, they may need tools more complex and diverse than a single word.”

For more on this topic, read—http://op-talk.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/02/03/should-slut-be-retired/?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&module=c-column-top-span-region&region=c-column-top-span-region&WT.nav=c-column-top-span-region&_r=0

2015 Award Books

John Newbery Medal for the most outstanding contribution to children’s literature:
“The Crossover,” written by Kwame Alexander, is the 2015 Newbery Medal winner. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

Two Newbery Honor Books also were named:
“El Deafo” by Cece Bell, illustrated by Cece Bell. Amulet Books, an imprint of ABRAMS.
“Brown Girl Dreaming,” written by Jacqueline Woodson.  Nancy Paulsen Books, an imprint of Penguin Group (USA) LLC.
Randolph Caldecott Medal for the most distinguished American picture book for children:
“The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend,” illustrated by Dan Santat, is the 2015 Caldecott Medal winner. The book was written by Dan Santat. Little, Brown and Company, a division of Hachette Book Group, Inc.

Six Caldecott Honor Books also were named:
“Nana in the City,” illustrated by Lauren Castillo, written by Lauren Castillo. Clarion Books, an imprint of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
“The Noisy Paint Box: The Colors and Sounds of Kandinsky’s Abstract Art,” illustrated by Mary GrandPré, written by Barb Rosenstock. Alfred A. Knopf, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books, a division of Random House, Inc., New York.
“Sam & Dave Dig a Hole,” illustrated by Jon Klassen, written by Mac Barnett. Candlewick Press.
“Viva Frida,” illustrated by Yuyi Morales, written by Yuyi Morales. Roaring Brook Press, a Neal Porter Book.
“The Right Word: Roget and His Thesaurus,” illustrated by Melissa Sweet, written by Jen Bryant. Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.
“This One Summer,” illustrated by Jillian Tamaki, written by Mariko Tamaki. First Second.

Making connections between life and literature

I have just finished reading an adult book, Mary Coin by Marisa Silver. I am thinking about a paragraph toward the end of the book where one of the characters is beginning a yearlong research project. Here is the quote, the narrator says—

“He doesn’t know what the project will ultimately yield. He doesn’t want to know. Not now. Because answers are inert things that stop inquiry. They make you think you have finished looking. But you are never finished. There are always discoveries that will turn everything you think you know on its head and that will make you ask all over again: Who are we? (p. 320)

I wonder if this same line of thinking applies to questions we have about teaching and learning with children. Only by asking questions and seeking answers do teachers grow in their teaching. To become an excellent teacher we must always ask questions, and always seek answers.

This same idea applies to students learning through inquiry. We all learn by asking questions.