Texas Mathematics

The Houston Press brings its special observations on a Texas mathbook.     http://blogs.houstonpress.com/hairballs/2008/11/aint_nothing_wrong_with_a_texa.php

Legacy: 50 Years of Loving Care - Parish

Legacy: 50 Years of Loving Care, Texas Children's Hospital, 1954-2004 by Betsy Parish, Elisha Freeman Publishing, May 2008, 762 pages, $45.50 Review by Mark Lardos  http://galvestondailynews.com/story.lasso?ewcd=cbe79ecc3a8858bd

State of Texas Children

The Temple Daily Telegram carries new of this report. Kids Count report  Published: December 11, 2008 "The Center for Public Policy Priorities on Wednesday released "The State of Texas Children: Texas Kids Count Annual Data Book 2008-09," a resource that provides the latest look at the well-being of children in every county in the state. This year's data book includes an essay, "Closing the Educational Gaps," revealing factors that can play a pivotal role in a child's academic achievement."   Read more more of the article at http://www.tdtnews.com/story/2008/12/11/54316/ or go to the source http://www.cppp.org/research.php?aid=795&cid=10

Hot on the Range - Jentsch

Author Has Chance Meeting with Young Illustrator and Completes a Children's Illustrated Picture Book in Under 30 Days http://www.pr.com/press-release/122311 First time author writes a book, meets an illustrator and publishes a children's horse book fast. "Wimberley, TX, December 16, 2008 --(PR.com)-- Texas author R.D. Jentsch has a chance meeting at a hair salon with a young illustrator, David C. Bryant and shocks the literary world by completing the book and illustrations within four short weeks and publishes it through BookSurge in three months." Reading level not specified.

Underneath - Appelt

News from Vermont's Times Argus via San Antonio's Vincent Davis' review.   This is Kathi Appelt's first young adult novel The Underneath, Simon & Shuster Children's Publishing, $16.99, chosen as a 2008 National Book Award Finalist for Young People's Literature. "The story unfolds under a porch in the Piney Woods of East Texas, where a calico cat and her two kittens hide from becoming alligator bait with an unlikely ally, an abused hound dog. Ancient, mythological creatures, a menacing hunter and danger inhabit the mysterious world that the four animals hide from in a dank and dark place." Read more at http://www.timesargus.com/article/20081119/FEATURES12/811190303/-1/RSS14

Girl Scouts - Farmers Branch

A Girl Scout publication Connections offers tours and activities including Texas history.  See http://creeksidegs.wordpress.com/2008/12/12/texas-history-alive/ from the Creekside Girl Scouts for more information of Texas History Alive ! "Description: Presented by Texana Living History Association & Farmers Branch Historical Park."

Texas Historical and Literary Blogs

Hot off the electric press, as the August issue of "Will's Texana Monthly: Reviews, News and Electric Observations," is "Texas Historical and Literary Blogs," an annotated, illustrated, and categorized list of over 100 blogs "about" Texas.  The email attachment is illustrated and available free upon request.  The non-illustrated version is posted at TEXAS BLOG NOTES, http://texasblognotes.blogspot.com The categories include   Will's History, Literature, and Reference Blogs - Architectural Preservation & Appreciation - Book Agents, Editors, Publicists, Consultants, and Their Ilk - Book Reading Clubs & Book Companions - Book Reviews & News - Classroom Experiments - Commercial Expressions - Culturally Convergent with Historical or Literary Interests - Historical Interests & Projects - Historical Museums, Libraries, & Archives - Historical Organizations - History via Newspaper Blogs - Literate Writers - Literate Naturalists - Literary Organizations - Oozing Toward Politics - Blog Cousins, The Fort Worth Museum Anomalies - Favorites, Bookmarks, and Subscriptions to Feeds - Starting a Blog -

Anna Pennybacker Archives

The UT-Austin Center for American Studies "A Guide to the Mrs. Percy V. Pennybacker Papers, 1878-1938" The summary description via TARO is Creator Pennybacker, Percy V., Mrs., 1861-1938. Title Mrs. Percy V. Pennybacker Papers Dates: 1878-1938 Abstract The collection documents the personal life of Anna Pennybacker, as well as her involvement in women's clubs, education, suffrage and the peace movement. Pennyback was an activist and author in Texas in the early 20th century. Extent 53 ft.  Language English.  http://www.lib.utexas.edu/taro/utcah/00043/cah-00043.html

Anna Pennybacker

Anna Pennybacker was the author of choice for teachers and parents wishing to inculcate their youngsters with the state's history.  The Online Handbook of Texas has a article by Stacey Cordery that begins "PENNYBACKER, ANNA J. HARDWICKE (1861-1938). Anna Pennybacker, clubwoman, woman suffrageqv advocate, author, and lecturer, daughter of John Benjamin and Martha (Dews) Hardwicke, was born on May 7, 1861, in Petersburg, Virginia. As a high school student she substituted the unexplained initial J for her second given name, McLaughlin. She graduated from the first class of Sam Houston Normal School in Huntsville, continued her education in Europe, and subsequently taught grammar and high school for fourteen years, including some sessions at the Chautauqua Summer Assembly. In 1884 she married native Texan Percy V. Pennybacker (who died in 1889); they had three children who reached adulthood. Mrs. Pennybacker wrote and published A New History of Texas in 1888, and the textbook was a staple of Texas classrooms for forty years."  The bibliography there reads: "BIBLIOGRAPHY: Helen Knox, Mrs. Percy V. Pennybacker (New York: Revell, 1916). Theodore Morrison, Chautauqua (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1974). Anna J. H. Pennybacker Collection, Barker Texas History Center, University of Texas at Austin. Rebecca Richmond, A Woman of Texas: Mrs. Percy V. Pennybacker (San Antonio: Naylor, 1941)."   READ MORE FROM the HOT at http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/PP/fpe30.html

Wildflower Coloring Books

Northwest Coloring Book

Texas Hill Country Coloring Book

http://www.nps.gov/plants/color/

Some Chronologies

TEXAS TIMELINES
Texas Timeline (Key Events in early Texas)
  Texas Almanac | Texas History Timeline 
TIMELINE: From Republic to Statehood 
  TIMELINE: San Antonio 1691-1997 
  TIMELINE: Dallas History 

Juvenile Crime and Incarneration

For a glance on Texas Juvenile crime and incarceration rates please see

 

http://www.cjcj.org/pdf/Final%20Crime%20Rates%20and%20Youth%20Incarceration%20in%20Texas%20and%20California%20Compared.pdf

Will Howard 12618 Ashcroft, Houston Tx 77035 Cell:832-633-0595 Home:713-728-1981
Publisher, Wills Texana Monthly, subscribe at willstexana@yahoo.com
Host, Texas Parlor, a blog at http://texasparlor.blogspot.com/
Host, Texas Bookshelf, a blog at http://texasbookshelf.blogspot.com/
Host, Young Texas Reader, a blog at http://youngtexasreader.blogspot.com/
Who is Will Howard? http://texasparlor.blogspot.com/2006/07/who-is-will-howard-texas-bibliographer.html

State Senate for Youngsters

http://www.senate.state.tx.us/kids/  FOR KIDS | Senate Jr. | Parents and Teachers  en español

Colleges in Texas Picture Books

C o l l e g e s  in Texas Picture Books

(see also Counting and Tour Books)

 

Aryal, Aimee.  Hello, Hook 'em!  / Illus by Megan Craig, Chantilly, Va: Mascot Books, 2004.  A Bevo student tours the campus where everyone flashes the "Hook 'em!"  Half is football.

Aryal, Aimee.  Howdy Reveille! / illus by Megan Craig Chantilly, Va: Mascot Books, 2004.  Collie Reveille tours the campus where he'd greeted "Howdy" all over. Most is football. http://www.mascotbooks.com/ 

Epstein, Brad.  Texas A&M 101: My First text-board book.  Los Angeles: Michaelson Entertainment, 2003. http://www.michaelsonentertainment.com/ 

Epstein, Brad.  University of Texas at Austin 101: My First text-board book.  Los Angeles: C.A: Michaelson Entertainment, 2004.

TCU - Center for Texas Studies - Flags

Texas Christian University

Educational Resources

for 7th Grade Texas History

Educational Resources

Exhibition Schedule

Flags in the Exhibition

Financial Support

 

"The Center for Texas Studies at TCU invites you to use these educational resources to enhance your understanding and appreciation of the Texas Flag Exhibit. Please "click" on the appropriate link below."

 

Students:

Background & History

1-Coloring Flag Symbolism

2-Texas Chronology

3-Describing Events

4-Comparing Revolutions

5-Explaining History

Texas History Coloring Images

 

Teachers:

Background & History

1-Coloring Flag Symbolism

2-Texas Chronology

3-Describing Events

4-Comparing Revolutions

5-Reasoning & Explanation

Texas History Coloring Images

Additional Resources

    

http://www.texasstudies.org/FlagExhibit/EducationalResources/EducationResources-7thGrade.htm

 

7th Grade Texas History at Georgetown ISD

Nancy Hester, Social Studies Curriculum Coordinator, Georgetown Independent School District, in Georgetown, TX  updates the 7th grade Texa history curriculum  webpage.  A wide range of links (internal and external) to over 200 sites in maybe 50 categories. 

SEE MORE AT http://www.georgetownisd.org/ccorner/socstudies/7th.asp
 

I Remember the Alamo - Anne Love

Love, D. Anne.  I Remember the Alamo.  New York:  Holiday House, c1999.  156 p.; hardcover ISBN 0-8234-1426-4 $15.95; Yearling Books paperback ISBN 0440416973 $4.50.      School Library Journal recommendation:  Grade 4-7.

            This novel reads easily and will appeal to girls in primary grades.  Teachers and parents should point out the problem areas of the book that might lead to misunderstanding in studying Texas history.  Most of the characters in this novel are completely fictitious, including the main character, eleven-year-old Jessie McCann.  She reluctantly arrives in Texas accompanying her impulsive father and unlucky family.  Some aspects of the racial and ethnic problems arising from a friendship between Jessie and the Tejana girl Angelina may be anachronistic. When Jessie, her younger brother, and her mother take refuge in the Alamo, Crockett says it is "the safest place in all of Texas."  It seems unlikely that anyone unattached to one of the Alamo defenders would have taken refuge in the Alamo, since all the other residents of San Antonio were fleeing from the advancing Mexican troops. [Courtesy: Lucie Olson's The Alamo and the Texas Revolution, An Annotated Bibliography. DRT Alamo Library, 2004.] 

Liberty, Justice, and Frall - Marjorie Kutchinski

Kutchinski, Marjorie.  Liberty, Justice, and Frall:  The Dog Heroes of The Texas Republic.  Austin:  Eakin Press, c1998.  139 p; hardcover ISBN 1-57168-217-1 $15.95; paperback ISBN 1-57168-227-9 $9.95

Publisher's recommendation:  Reading level 5.0.

            Liberty, Sam Houston's dog and the female dog hero of the Republic, tells the story of her life with Sam Houston.  The original manuscript of her story was retrieved from the grounds of the Alamo by her descendent, Lady, and it now resides in the "Dogs of the Republic of Texas Headquarters."  According to Liberty's diary, Jim Bowie's dog Justice becomes her mate, and Sam Houston names their pup Frall.  Houston takes Justice for his own dog when Bowie dies at the Alamo.  [Courtesy: Lucie Olson's The Alamo and the Texas Revolution, An Annotated Bibliography. DRT Alamo Library, 2004.] 

Sam Houston as Teacher

Sam Houston was a school teacher.  Visit his 1812 Maryville, Tennessee schoolhouse at

 

http://www.samhoustonhistoricschoolhouse.org/

tours	history	hours & directions	events	reenactors
books	teacher resources	related links	membership	Trees

Teachers with guns

Small Texas school district lets teachers, staff pack pistols  /  By MARK AGEE / rmagee@star-telegram.com 

Agee begins: "When classes start Aug. 25 in the tiny Harrold school district, there will be one distinct difference from years prior: Some of the teachers may have guns.

To deter and protect against school shootings, trustees have altered district policy to allow employees to carry concealed weapons if they have a state permit and permission from the administration. The 110-student district lies 150 miles northwest of Fort Worth on the eastern end of Wilbarger County, near the Oklahoma border."

Agee appendicizes: "The gun policy: Teachers and staffers in the Harrold school district can carry firearms beginning this fall if they:

Have a Texas license to carry a concealed handgun.

Are authorized to carry by the district.

Receive training in crisis management and hostile situations.

Use ammunition that is designed to minimize the risk of ricochet in school halls.

Source: Harrold school district"

READ MORE ABOUT IT BUT DONT SHOOT OFF YOUR MOUTH ABOUT IT  http://www.star-telegram.com/804/story/834022.html

Texas School Journal

Texas School Journal (1883-1930)

 

Spearman, Mindy.  " ' Everything to Help, Nothing to Hinder':  The Story of the Texas School Journal."  Southwestern Historical Quarterly,  Vol. CXI, No. 3, (January 2008), pp 282-302.

The Texas School Journal and its derivatives expounded methods of proper teachhing  and proper Normal school affairs from 1883 to 1930.  In summary, under this banner "in-service training," a 19^th century term, coalescsed, at the guidance of 15 editors and various owners.  Mindy Spearman, who teaches at Clemson University, traces the story with some lighter references to the Journal's competitors.  The Journal published articles, editorials, position papers, advertisements, local news, state news, recommended policy, and carried on disagreements with newspapers and other public and private institutions.   Shortly after it shifted it focus to school administation, it folded.

Society of Childrens Book Writers and Illustrators in Arlington

Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators has several chapters across the state.  The North Texas Chapter will meet 1-4 p.m. on the month's fourth Saturday at the First United Methodist Church, 313 N. Center St. in Arlington. 

For more information contact LindaPowley@aol.com or go to http://www.northtexasscbwi.org

Fairy and the Chupacabra - James Mangum, Sidney Spires

Book review: The Fairy and Chupacabra

'The Fairy and the Chupacabra and Those Marfa Lights' should keep the kids entertained - by Charlie Owen
[Review begins]: "Children's books always baffle me. They're intended to be read to small children at an age when their imaginations run wild and the beasts under the bed and in the closet are more frightening and real than anything that can actually harm them. So why is it that writers of children's books always populate their works with the most bizarre and scary creatures known to man?

At least in "The Fairy and the Chupacabra and Those Marfa Lights" there is no big bad wolf waiting to eat the kids in some remote village or a headless horseman waiting in the woods to exact revenge on some poor school teacher. ..."  READ MORE FROM THE VAIL DAILY http://www.vaildaily.com/article/20080811/AE/16621761/1068

Eleanor Clark and Awards for YA Girls

The Mexia Daily News informs us:

 

Speaker-Author wins National awards

[Article begins} "Texas author Eleanor Clark picks up two new awards with her Eleanor Series books for young girls. Two books from the series won the following awards: Eleanor Jo: A Christmas to Remember won the 2008 National Indie Excellence Award in children's fiction, and Melanie Ann: A Legacy of Love was awarded as a finalist.

"I wrote the books to impact the lives of young children and encourage them in their character development and issues of life. That the books have been recognized in the publishing industry is as added honor," says Mrs. Clark.

Books in the Eleanor Series are fictional stories based on the true-life family history of Eleanor Clark. These heartwarming stories span generations, are historically accurate, and highlight the nation's heritage of faith.

"I have three girls and they have read all of the American Girl series books. To have a series that teaches core values and American history have made these books their favorite books," says Jake Jones, President of HonorNet, Eleanor Clark's publisher." 

These fictional books are based on the true-life family history of author Eleanor Clark. ..."  

 

READ MORE AT http://www.mexiadailynews.com/local/local_story_227104801.html

http://www.eleanorseries.com

Observe the Sensitive Issues at TEA

Will's blogs and Monthly generally avoid fueling controversy by taking sides, and such is still the case.  However,  without taking sidea, we've discovered a list of issues that TEA staff is sensitive and apparently prohibited from discussing.  The list comes from TEA paperwork in a lawsuit regarding the alleged forced resignation of a TEA employee regarding the teaching of evolution which is consequently another item to be on the list.  The list includes

 

"Whether schools should teach "whole language" or "phonics" in English Language Arts; Whether schools should have grammar as a separate section of the English curriculum or embedded in the overall curriculum;

How schools should present the treatment of minorities in U.S. or Texas history;

Whether schools should have required reading lists in English or other subjects (and if so what books should be included on them);

Whether schools should emphasize scientific processes or content;

Whether schools should require laboratory instruction in science courses;

How schools should integrate the Spanish-language grammar or decoding skills into English TEKS for students with limited English proficiency (LEP);

Whether to include instruction on contraceptives along with abstinence, in the presentation of human sexuality in health education."

IF YOU WANT MORE INFORMATION, CLICK

http://www.texasobserver.org/blog/index.php/2008/08/13/latest-in-the-tea-monkey-trial/

Texas Rangers by Michael Spradlin

Texas Rangers: Legendary Lawmen
By Michael P. Spradlin.  Pub:  Walker Books for Young Readers (2008) ISBN 9780802780966     Reviewed by Evan Weldon (age 6) for Reader Views (7/08)

For a younsters view   READ MORE AT Reader Views  http://irenewatson.typepad.com/readerviews/2008/08/texas-rangers-legendary-lawmen.html

Dignity of Work - Teacher's Guide

Dignity of Work

August 11, 2008   The Dignity of Work Teacher's Guide
[The posting begins:]  "The dignity of hard work was and still is a part of the Texas mentality. It is prevalent in the history of Texas, the culture of Texans, and the art that represents the people of Texas. Many works of early Texas art preserve the lives and the daily activities of the people they represent. These works record details of the clothing, daily chores, and special events in their lives. Work is important not only as a contribution to both family and community, but also as a form of self-worth and a source of self-esteem. This unit uses the theme of work to explore the role of hard work in settling the Texas frontier, and the value of work in the Great Depression."

This project was created by the North Texas Institute for Educators on the Visual Arts (NTIEVA).    

READ  MORE ABOUT IT  http://pachyderm.nmc.org/showcase/dignity-of-work/

Your Blogger Blathering Bibliographically

ED BLACKBURN at TEXANA REVIEW, a podcasting blog of note, cornered me a couple of times over the last year regarding "Just what are you doing?"  Ed's from the "Blackburns of Houston," a family known for their Texas publications (his dad, Ed, Sr., recently went to jail, err, actually went to many jails across Texas to collect information on his book about jails of Texas), and his mother Sadie, well, Sadie, keeps most of us in line. 

Anyway, Ed found me with his an inquiring mind and a tape recorder in hand, first at the Buffalo Grill and then at St. Paul's UMC.  He said he reduced our two hours to 20 minutes, a testament to his editorial dedication and skills.  If what I say makes sense, it's because of Ed's editing. Listen to Ed and me at:

 

"Will Howard: becoming a less well-kept secret on Texana"

http://texanareview.typepad.com/posts/2008/08/will-howard-tal.html

Christmas in Texas Picture Books

CHRISTMAS PICTURE BOOKS

Baurys, Florence. Spur for Christmas / illus by Gerald L. Holmes. Gretna: Pelican, 1999. Augie the Armadillo and friends make their own Christmas prickly pear tree. http://www.pelicanpub.com

Childers, Clark L. Snow: The South Texas Christmas Miracle / illustrations by William Wilhelmi. Corpus Christi, Texas: Red Cab Productions, 2005. With 300 photos about this Christmas Eve of 2004. http://www.texassnowbook.com/

Childers, Clark L. More Snow / illustrations by William Wilhelmi. Corpus Christi, Texas: Red Cab Productions, 2006. 300 more photos.

Childers, Clark L. More snow for kids: the true story of the South Texas Christmas miracle / illustrations by William Wilhelmi. Corpus Christi, Texas: Red Cab Productions, 2006. Yet a third volume with the story of how all the snow happened. And there are some CDs of related information.

Harris, Leon A. Night Before Christmas in Texas, That Is / illus by Meg Wohlberg. Gretna, La: Pelican, 1952, 2006. In rhyme and rhythm. Cowboy Santa delivers in a flying buckboard wagon. Traditional charm. Wohlberg obit at: http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C0CE4D81339F935A25751C1A966958260

Joyce, William. Santa Calls / New York : HarperCollins, 1993. Brothers and sisters in Abilene. This is the book that sparked the National Center for Children's Literature in Abilene. http://www.harperchildrens.com/ http://www.williamjoyce.com/

Rice, James. Texas Night Before Christmas / Gretna: Pelican, 1986, 2003. In rhyme and rhythm, Texas Jack the jackrabbit figures throughout while a cowboy Santa delivers from a cargo wagon pulled by longhorns which are in nearly in revolt. Usual Rice humor.

Smith, Catherine. Night Before Christmas in Texas / illus by Steve Egan. Salt Lake City: Gibbs-Smith Pub., 1992. Rhythm and rhyme hold consistent. Illustrations only on each 4^th page spread. Traditional Santa Claus in sleigh with reindeer. Rangers help deliver gifts of hats, boots, footballs, and other toys. Book size: 3 ½ x 4 ½ inches. http://www.gibbs-smith.com/

Why Do Kids Hate School?

Two Texans answer the question and their book is reviewed in the Wall Street Journal.  The review begins "On weekday mornings during the academic year, dual-income families usually think of the juggle as parents heading off to work and kids heading off to the very different pursuit of school. But is school these days too much like employment, poisoning children against what's supposed to be the joy of learning and development?

That's the argument of two University of Texas at Arlington sociologists, Ben Agger and Beth Anne Shelton, in a forthcoming book, "I Hate School: Why American Kids Are Turned Off Learning." According to a news release from the university, the researchers contend that "by the time American students are in junior high and high school, they hate school and cannot wait to finish an acceptable terminal level of education and establish careers and families, mimicking the suburban lifestyles of their parents."  READ, if you dare, MORE AT

http://blogs.wsj.com/juggle/2008/08/04/why-do-kids-hate-school/

Texas and YA Lit

The blog "Adolescent Literature in New York City" makes the case for taking YA lit seriously.  In the process she pairs "To Kill a Mockingbird" and "The Outsiders" and Magnolia, Texas.

http://fordhamlit.blogspot.com/2008/08/ya-lit-for-lifelong-readers.html

The Bottoms - Joe Landsdale

"Adolescent Literature" reviews Joe Lansdale's The Bottoms

 

The review begins: "Joe Lansdale's novel The Bottoms is presented as a reflection of an elderly retired sheriff on the heinous murders that occurred in his town as a child. The story follows the exploits of a 12 year old Harry and his little sister Tom as they try to unravel these gruesome murders and make sense of the raging race violence in a small east Texas town. The story begins with Harry and Tom finding a dead body of naked black woman tied to the tree in woods by their house." READ MORE AT http://adolescentlybooked.blogspot.com/2008/07/bottoms-lansdale-j.html

Birth of an Artist in Texas - Leslie Hawes

Leslie's Blog
http://www.lesliehawes.com/wordpress/?p=1610 explains how she became a professional artist. And it happened in Texas - Midland of all places where they like the color green.
Leslie Hawes' first book was the 1988 issue of Two Glass Buttons: a Story of the Runaway Scrape, text by Marguerite Star Crain.
My goodness, Maggie Lambeth has a copy and she's asking $75.00 for it. Signed and in fine condition with its dustjacket. And the illustrations are really good. In a dry color medium - Leslie's favorite. http://www.texanbooks.com/si/11010.html

A good reader for girls and boys too.

See also http://www.lesliehawes.com/

Harvest of Tears - Betty Smith

Harvest of Tears, 2nd edition. Betty Pelley Smith. Denton: Zone Press, 2007. Paperback, 399 pages. ISBN 0-9777558-5-1 $18.95  http://www.zonepress.com

Betty Pelly Smith was born in the Sherman, Texas of 1924 and subsequently lived across the nation. Two decades ago she returned to Sherman. The childhood she would like to recall would be almost

idyllic. She had kind and loving parents, watchful neighbors, a supportive faith family.

But, the social pestilence of the Depression visited the community and over-stayed its welcome.

As jobs vanished, the stark twins of reality and fear ate rough spots on the veneer of civilization.

Some folks got desperate. A deeper poison seeps to the surface. That racism scarred her soul

that happened to be sheathed in a white skin. Smith writes, "I was 5 years old when I saw the

Sherman courthouse burn and saw a body hanging from a tree. In my 5-year-old mind, I

remember thinking, I thought he was black. All I see is white, as only white bones were hanging

there. I was haunted all my life by this sight. I could not understand how anyone could do such a

horrible thing." The legacy of the Sherman Race Riots flickered more oft than it should have in

Smith's long life.

Her fictionalized account of other such days lures the reader onward as the naïve, little girl's

eyewitness account describes her experiences. In the story, Elizabeth, the substitute for Betty's

emotions, personally faces the physical violence meted out to the designated scapegoats. As for

the plot, Elizabeth's family cares for the children, while Elizabeth's African American friend, Sam, becomes the target of Sam, the malevolent bully.  Challenging to adults but could be introduced to mature teenagers.

Texana Going to the Dogs

Book Featuring Rescued Texas Dog Published

July 5, 2008 : Proceeds will help to fund various animal welfare organizations.
[Newsrelease begins]
"Dingo has traded his status from a lonely stray adopted from the Galveston Island Humane Society to a beloved family member, featured as the lead character in his own children's book, Where Do Dingos Come From. The Labrador/chow mix now has a fictional counterpart, who helps to teach children about adopting pets and kindness and compassion to animals.

Tracy and Bascom Bradshaw, authors of the book and Dingo's guardians, note, "This book is the first in a series that introduces our characters and how Dingo the dog meets Cricket and their pet-loving Mom, Sophie. Our books are really a medium for us to provide a face to our Dingo the Dog Project which funds trap-spay-neuter [TNR] programs in our Doha, Qatar neighborhood and donations to shelters, as well as the lesson plans we are developing for teaching children about responsible pet care and pet adoption.""
READ MORE ABOUT http://network.bestfriends.org/texas/news/26875.html

Texas Zip Code Lessons

Yes, you read the header correctly, "Texas Zip Code Lessons."  I found a site which quite seriously recommends we use zip codes as a medium for teaching the kids their Geography Lesson.  At first it sounds, well, snoozy, but when you consider how many parts of life can be opened when a zip code is applied, maybe there's a secret power for kids to learn.  Hey, I'm just bringing this stuff to ya.  Do with it what you will.

Water Aquifer Education

What's up, Doc? Aquifer education

Austin Business Journal reports" The Edwards Aquifer Authority has expanded the agency's children's educational outreach program online. 

Earlier this year, the agency created the Doc Edwards' Amazing Aquifer Adventure!, a live education program hosted by Doc Edwards, a fictional explorer who teaches children about the aquifer. "

Read more at http://www.bizjournals.com/austin/stories/2008/07/14/daily45.html

see also http://www.docedwards.org and http://www.edwardsaquifer.org  

Tacky, Childish Behavior (like yours and mine)

Cowtown Pattie (Texas Trifles http://www.texastrifles.blogspot.com/)  directs our attention to an absolutely delightful recollection of Waco children (as cinema viewers) at the movies in the 1950's and 1960's.  If it doesn't bring smiles and compassion for today's youngsters, you should best go sit in a corner.  It's in Stephen Cook's blog and entitled "Natural Born Outlaws at the 25th Street Theater":

 

http://web.mac.com/stephenacook/iWeb/random/Blog/15B30978-2EC9-463C-A78A-2FC61DA66054.html

Texas Rangers - Spradlin and Roxie Munro

Book Moot offers a review for her Non-fiction Monday entry

Texas Rangers: Legendary Lawmen by Michael P. Spradlin, illustrations by Roxie Munro. Walker & Co., 2008
 http://www.bookmoot.com/2008/07/nonfiction-monday-texas-rangers.html

Story of the Alamo - Bill Hughes

Hughes, Bill.  The Story of the Alamo.  Lone Star Stories, c2003.  18 p.

            The "story" of the Alamo is told in comic book form, complete with heroic characters and absolute villains.  Readers should keep in mind that this publication is entertainment, not history.  Davy Crockett delivers his last words to Santa Anna in an entirely fictitious version of the Alamo story.  Readers who might not enjoy a book on the Alamo may be attracted to the comic version, but parents and teachers must remind students that the facts are to be found elsewhere.  [Courtesy: Lucie Olson's The Alamo and the Texas Revolution, An Annotated Bibliography. DRT Alamo Library, 2004.] 

Baby of the Alamo - Susan Hood

Hood, Susan.  Sandy Kossin, illustrator.  The Baby of the Alamo.  Leveled Books Series.  New York:  McGraw-Hill School Division, 1999.  16 p.; ISBN 0-02-185295-2.  Available in Braille.

Publisher's recommendation:  Grade 5, Unit 3.

            This novel is told from the point of view of Angelina Dickinson, who survived the battle of the Alamo with her mother, Susanna.  As the book begins, Angelina says that she, as a fifteen-month old baby, can remember the " nice man who gave me a ring with a cat's eye stone."  She relates the rest of the traditional Alamo story in a question and answer discussion with her mother.  The book is illustrated with colorful, cartoon-like drawings.  The inside back cover has five "Story Questions and Activities," and an assignment for writing an autobiographical paragraph.  This simplistic (and probably unrealistic) presentation of the Alamo story is unlikely to hold the attention of the intended Grade 5 audience. [Courtesy: Lucie Olson's The Alamo and the Texas Revolution, An Annotated Bibliography. DRT Alamo Library, 2004.] 

Other info:  Accelerated Reader Quiz Level is 5.2

Weeds in South Texas and Northern Mexico - James Everitt

Jane Manaster in the Dallas Morning News recommends weeding with young adults and children

Weeds in South Texas and Northern Mexico A Guide to Identification James H. Everitt, Robert I. Lonard and Christopher R. Little (Texas Tech University Press, $19.95, paperback)

 

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Austin's Texas Book Festival - also for kids

Ki Gray in the American Chronicle describes the festival and includes a particular paragraph regarding children.

 

EXTRACT: "The Texas Book Festival has raised over two million dollars for Texas Public Libraries, and their commitment to children is clear. With one tent dedicated to children´s authors, one to children´s entertainment, and one to activities for the little ones, this festival is a perfect way to combine books and literacy with a fun and exciting event. Storytimes abound throughout the festival, and activities can include hula dance, puppet shows, drawing, and sing-alongs. When children´s authors are in town for the festival, they often take part in "Reading Rock Stars," an affiliated program that brings them to public schools to read their works."
READ MORE http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/66431

Underneath - Kathi Appelt

A review from the Washington Post:

 

THE UNDERNEATH By Kathi Appelt, Illustrated by David Small | Atheneum, $16.99; ages 10 and up

The Review begins:  "Known for charming picture books ( My Father's House, Piggies in a Polka), Kathi Appelt borrows from Native American lore and the East Texas bayou to create The Underneath, a uniquely American tale."

READ MORE OF THE POST

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/24/AR2008072402775.html

Texas Forest Service Connects Kids Caretakers

The Texas Forest Service actively provides workshops for children to re-connect to nature.  The Marshall News Messenger ran an article on such, 'Nature Realized' seminars planned" By Steve Bandy, News Messenger Sunday, July 06, 2008

 http://www.marshallnewsmessenger.com/news/content/news/stories/2008/070708_web_caddo.html

EXTRACT:  " "We will be delivering this program state-wide through out the year," Ms. Soldinger added.

"'Nature Realized' is a seminar series consisting of six themes developed for parents, grandparents and adults who impact children ages 0-18," the TFS agent said. "Participants learn how to utilize local resources that provide opportunities for connecting children to the land."

The various themes include:

Emotional and Spiritual Connection; Physical and mental health.

Free Play vs. Structured; Time and Technology.

Dangers and Fears; Plugging into Local Resources."

If you are interested in your childrens health and development in this area, contact

Ms. Soldinger at 979-458-6649; Wes Moorehead, Marshall District Forester, at 903-938-8712; or Michelle Gonzales at 979-458-6650.

or http://txforestservice.tamu.edu/main/default.aspx

Texas History Movies comic book

 Here's a review of Texas History Movies from the perspective of a Scoop reader, http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/.  (By the way the book of acquied by the Texas State Historical Association, not the Texas Historical Society).

IT BEGINS 

"Comics in the classroom… in the Platinum Age?

A 1970s hardcover reprint collection of Texas History Movies, a Platinum Age comic strip and school text book

"The Eyes of Texas are upon you..." echoes the old refrain, and for collector Weldon Adams it seems particularly true. Though he started collecting in the '70s and places a high value on many of today's titles, in recent years he's found himself inexorably drawn to a little-documented series from the Platinum Age.

His enthusiasm for a collection of newspaper strips dating from 1926 was nothing he planned, though.

"I'm as surprised as anyone else that this is where I've ended up for the moment," said Adams, who counts JSA, Teen Titans and Noble Causes among his current favorites. "But this stuff is too cool!"

"My interest in the history of the industry started very early on," he said. "When I first discovered that there was an entire generation of superheroes that predated the ones that I knew about, well, I just had to know what that was all about! Those early JLA/JSA crossovers just set me on fire! And since there were no comic shops available to me in the early 70's, I had to hit the libraries and look for reference books on the industry. So I learned about the old characters and the people who created them at the same time. It seemed like every decade has it's own thing that made it fascinating to read about. The late '30s saw the creation of the true 'Superhero.' The '40s sent that hero to war. The '50s had a poor man's version of the McCarthy hearings that lead to the creation of a self-imposed regulating committee. The '60s saw both the rebirth of the superhero and his attempt to be relevant to the modern world. It was all fascinating to me. My interest in the history of the medium eventually lead me to an unusual find. At a yard sale, I found a small digest size paperback book that was a 1927 collection of newspaper strips. It was called Texas History Movies. My curiosity lead me to start research on this book that I am currently still working on.""

READ MORE HERE 

Texas Biographical Sit-down Contest

A "Sit-down Contest" a panel of contestants stand in a row or circle, each receiving a question, remaining standing for correct, sitting down for incorrrect.

 

While in the 5th grade a claim to my personal fame became being the winner in Mrs. Burnsed's class "Biographical Sit-Down Contest."  My winning question was the name of Alexander the Great's horse - Bucephalus.  The questions then continued to me along when finally, I did not know the full name of the guy who invented the Morse code - Samuel Finley Breeze Morse.

 

Should you wish to conduct a "Texas Biographical Sit-Down Contest" and need a list of name go to http://www.biography.com search the term "Texas" and you'll have a list of 394.

Texas history classroom

Coming soon to a website near you.  Partially funded by Summerlee.

 

"TEXAS STORIES is a fun, engaging new way to learn about and teach Texas history – at home and in the classroom.

We'll soon be working with educators to develop an ongoing series of classroom resources that are simple to use, easy to access and incorporate technology. They are being designed as supplemental learning activities for 4th and 7th grade Texas History classes, librarians and homeschool parents. Sample Activities will be posted on this web site – soon!

Highlights
Each month we will select two TEXAS STORIES and develop one or more companion Activity Guides for 4th and/or 7th grades.

The 4th Grade Guides will emphasize one or more of the following: Listening, Reading, Observation and/or Computer skills, and incorporate graphic organizers, maps and historic documents. They will be developed by an Elementary Curriculum Specialist in cooperation with the Education Director of the Texas State History Museum.

The 7th Grade Guides will emphasize Online Research, Interpretation, and Computer skills, and feature Study/Discussion Questions with links to articles in The Online Handbook of Texas. The questions will be developed by the Education Coordinator for the Texas State Historical Association in cooperation with the Education Director of the Texas State History Museum.

TEKS: Each Guide will have the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) identified for 4th or 7th grade Social Studies. "

READ MORE AT  http://www.texasstories.com/activities.html

Texas Bedtime Picture Books

B e d t i m e Picture Books

Dromgoole, Glenn. Good Night, Cowgirl illus by Barbara Clack. Albany: Bright Sky Press,

2006. Same as Good Night Cowboy. http://www.brightskypress.com/

Dromgoole, Glenn. Good Night, Cowboy illus by Barbara Clack. Albany, Texas: Bright Sky

Press, 2006. A charming book of simple captions with gentle pastel drawings. It's

"Good night" to the boat, the tractor in the shed, and sunset in the western sky, and such,

ending with "I love you." http://reporternews.com/staff/glenn-dromgoole/

Eilenberg, Max, Cowboy Kid. / illus by Sue Heap. Cambridge, MA: Candlewick Press, 2000.

Gamble, Adam. Good Night, Texas illus by Red Hansen. South Korea: Our World of Books,

2007. A "board book" of "greetings" with hello, good mornings, ahoys, good afternoons,

good evenings, and, of course, good night. "Ahoy there fisherman, out on the Gulf of

Mexico. Outdoors is the dominant setting. Traditional and fresh material. Ends with a

scene of sleeping around a campfire. (This is not the recent novel of the same name.)

http://www.goodnightourworld.com/

Heap, Sue. Cowboy Baby / Cambridge, MA: Candlewick Press, copyright 1998.

(from Children's Texana Picture and Easy Books of Recent Interest:A Casual Bibliography of150 titles, Compiled by Will Howard)

Voices of the Alamo - Sherry Garland

Garland, Sherry.  Ronald Himler, illustrator.  Voices of the Alamo.  New York:  Pelican Publishing Company, 2004.  40 p.; hardcover ISBN 1-58980-222-5 $15.95; New York:  Scholastic Press, c2000.  40 p.; hardcover ISBN 0-590-98833-6.  Picture Book. Pelican Publishing Company recommendation:  ages 5-8; School Library Journal recommendation:  Grades 3-6.             This imaginative, pleasantly illustrated interpretation of Texas history begins with the thoughts of a Payaya maiden in 1500.  As time progresses, other people who participated in the making of Texas describe themselves and share their thoughts.  A Mexican peasant forced into the army, a settler in Austin's colony, William Barrett Travis, and General Sam Houston are some of those portrayed in this vision.  A two-page historical note at the end of the book explains the text for the teacher.  There is a pronouncing glossary of 13 words, a selected bibliography of seven books for adult readers, and six suggestions for further reading for juveniles. [Courtesy: Lucie Olson's The Alamo and the Texas Revolution, An Annotated Bibliography. DRT Alamo Library, 2004.]  Other info: Garland website:  http://www.sherrygarland.com/ and  http://sherrygarland.swiftsite.com/ Himmler:  http://www.ronhimler.com/home.html    Lesson plans: http://litplans.com/authors/Sherry_Garland.html Pub: http://www.pelicanpub.com/

A Line in the Sand - Sherry Garland

Garland, Sherry. A Line in the Sand: The Alamo Diary of Lucinda Lawrence, Gonzales, Texas, 1835. Dear America Series, no 11. New York: Scholastic Press, c1998. [206] p.; ISBN 0-590-39466-5. School Library Journal Recommendation: Grades 5-8.

Through the eyes of a thirteen-year-old girl, the reader experiences the Runaway Scrape, hears cannon fire from the Alamo, and learns about the outcome of the battle at San Jacinto. Lucinda Lawrence begins her diary on September 9, 1836, in Gonzales, Texas. Each entry portrays early Texas life as a young girl might have lived it, complete with a teenager's crush and the dissolution of her secure life caused by wartime experience. An epilogue describes Lucinda's life in her later years. "Life in America in 1836," beginning on page 181, provides a historical background for Lucinda's story. Ten pages of black and white illustrations resemble a publication that might have appeared during the time frame of the diary. Guides are available online for parents and teachers. [Courtesy: Lucie Olson's The Alamo and the Texas Revolution, An Annotated Bibliography. DRT Alamo Library, 2004.]

Other info:

Lesson Plans: http://litplans.com/authors/Sherry_Garland.html

Scholastic Comments: http://www.scholastic.com/dearamerica/parentteacher/guides/dearamerica/linesandfs.htm

Garland website: http://www.sherrygarland.com/ and http://sherrygarland.swiftsite.com/