A N E W S C H O O L Y E A R means a new set of teacher-
recommended books for CTA's #CaliforniaReads
(cta.org/californiareads). Selected books for all grade levels
support teachers' literacy efforts (studies find that students who
are not modestly skilled readers by the end of third grade are
unlikely to graduate from high school). Highlights:
In Save Me a Seat, by Sarah Weeks and Gita Varadarajan
(grades 6-8), Joe and Ravi couldn't be more different. Joe has
lived in New Jersey his whole life. Sad because his best friends
recently moved away, he keeps to himself. Ravi just arrived from
India and is eager to make new friends. Both come together
when the school bully makes their lives miserable. The book
offers lessons about bullying, friendship, family and fitting in.
Former U.S. Poet Laureate Juan Felipe Herrera, a son of
migrant workers who lives in Fresno, is the author of imagine
(grades 1-2), a poem that uses his life experience to breathe
magic into the hopes and dreams of all children searching for
their place in life. Illustrated by Lauren Castillo.
Internment, by Samira Ahmed (grades
9-12), tells a dystopian tale set in the
near-future United States, when 17-year-
old Layla and her parents are forced into
an internment camp for Muslim Ameri-
cans. With help from others, Layla begins
a journey to fight for freedom.
What Is the Meaning
of Sacrifice?
H E L P S T U D E N T S understand the significance
of Veterans Day (Nov. 11), when we honor
those who served and are serving in the
U.S. military, and the meaning of sacrifice.
PBS offers a lesson plan for educators that
includes an interactive timeline of military his-
tory and studies issues facing veterans today
(pbs.org/newshour/extra/lessons-plans/
veterans-day). NEA also has lesson
plans and activities for all grade levels
(nea.org/tools/lessons/
veterans-day-activities-intro.html).
CTA Scholarships
& Grants
CTA can help further your or your
dependent's education with its
scholarship programs, provide
grants for school projects, and
give recognition to your artistic
students with awards. Learn
more on page 52 and apply at
cta.org/scholarships.
California Reads
For our full listings, go to californiaeducator.org/calendar.
Related lesson plans and classroom
activities at cta.org/californiareads.
8
cta.org
In the Know
CALENDAR
October/ November 2019
