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Webcomics, and more!

4/27/2020

It's not a surprise to any of you that I believe reading is a magical experience that happens any time you get lost in a story. However, this doesn't always happen easily for every reader.. Whether you're reading all the time or not at all currently, I see each of you as a reader. Be open to the wonderfully wide variety of stories out there. Be adventurous in your explorations of information and stories. Make a conscious effort avoid labeling yourself with any sort of negative identities (i.e. someone who hates reading or only does when forced). Even if you weren't a reader yesterday, you have a choice to change that any time you read something new whether it's a comic, article, book, audiobook, blog post, manga, etc!

With all of this in mind, here are some suggestions that might hopefully start you off on a reading adventure! If you have anything to add to my list, please drop it in the comments section below!

Webcomics:
- "As Per Usual:" a slice of life YA comic about becoming a "real lady person." This staying home comic got me laughing about quarantine.
- "Breaking Cat News:" humorous webcomic about cat news anchors. I liked the random roll the dice button that enables you to see new comics!
- "Ozy and Millie" snarky fox adventures by the author who wrote Phoebe and Her Unicorn!
- Check, Please! another slice of life YA comic about a figurer skater turned college hockey player!
Epic! eBooks (access via this link and enter class code: kat0251
- `Check out these novels in verse. My personal favorite is Garvey's Choice by Nikki Grimes. This realistic fiction novel tells the story of a kid named Garvey who attempts to reconcile his own interests and identity with his father's single-minded plan to mold him into a sports star.
MackinVia eBooks
- Our library now has access to 1000s of eBooks in Mackin Via.
- Go t o Mackin Via. Enter: St, Francis School / Username: stfrancisschool / password: wolfpack
- Search by "Categories" on the left sidebar to browse books by topic and genre.

If you have suggestions for books, comics or resources your peers might enjoy drop them in the comments below!

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Earth Week: Do One Thing for the Planet

4/17/2020

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April 22 is Earth Day. Marking this day will look a little different this year given that we'll be staying home and mostly indoors, but that doesn't mean we can't do at least one thing to take care of the Earth. Here are 5 easy things you can do to celebrate Earth Day from home:

Consider your use of plastic. Watch the video to the left to get you started. For example, next time your family gets take out, maybe ask them to skip the plastic forks and knives, and use your own silverware.
Think about electricity. Do you forget to turn off the lights when you leave a room? Is your TV on all night? Be intentional about turning off the lights, and spend a screen-free evening reading or playing a game with your family.
Try some of these plant based swaps to reduce your foodprint.
Repurpose supplies in your home into art. I recently cut up cardboard boxes, an Amazon mailer, and the pages of an old book to make some bubble print art! Here's a very simple tutoria l to get started.
Research climate change. Try Britannica (username: stfrancis/password: Ktwelve), or choose a book from this list of environmentally themed fiction , or peruse the wealth of information available on the World Wildlife Organization.

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Blackout Poetry!

4/14/2020

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Poetry could be existing within lines of any type of writing! Recycle an old magazine article or book that you were about to donate by turning it into blackout poetry! All you need is text (you can print it too), pencils and markers! Here are the steps for creating thoughtful Black Out Poetry (adapted from Scholastic):

Skim the page. Notice and use your pencil to mark any anchor words. Anchor words are words that you feel are packed with meaning. These words can help you start to imagine the theme of your poem.
Read the page. Use your pencil to circle or underline words that connect your anchor words.
List your circled words in order on a separate piece of paper.
Piece the words together to create your poem. You can eliminate part of words, especially endings.
Go back to the original text and cross out any words that aren't part of your poem.
Share your poems with Mrs. Echols ([email protected]).

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5 Fresh Reading Ideas

4/6/2020

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5In this season of being mostly indoors, I'm finding myself so tied to screens. It's been a huge relief to set up dedicated moments for audiobooks. Don't have any audiobooks? Feel free to reach out to me in the comments below, or start here with Audible's free collection. Here are a couple of ways you might consider adding audiobooks to your routines!

If I'm feeling stressed, it's been so nice to make a cup of tea (or juice or soda), settle into the coziest spot in my house, dim the lights, and just listen. Even just 1o minutes can be a total peaceful reset.
If you're feeling artsy, audiobooks make great companions to drawing or painting. If you're like me can can barely manage stick figures, try coloring! I'm loving the free printable Harry Potter coloring pages! Or try these manga, abstract mandalas, or quotes pages coloring pages if they're more your style.
If it's safe in your neighborhood and ok with your family, audiobooks can make excellent walking companions. Make sure to leave one ear bud out so that you're aware of traffic and can be sure to practice social distancing!

If audiobooks aren't your thing, consider these fun (free) ways to get inspired to get inspired about books!

4. Every FREE book available on SimonTeen's Riveted Lit page. There are some absolute treasures available here. City of Bones by Cassandra Clare has a delightfully cringy movie and CW TV show that you could pai with your reading. If you're a fantasy reader, definitely go for Alanna: The First Adventure. It's fiercely feminist, classic high fantasy.

5. Do you love personality quizzes? Try this personality and book matching quiz at Penguin's Underlined. I got the Lucky Ones!

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Webcomics, and more!

Earth Week: Do One Thing for the Planet

Blackout Poetry!

5 Fresh Reading Ideas

Mrs. Echols

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