Ms White's ESL
January 2023, English Version
Ms White's 9 Favorite Children's Picture Books of 2022
Have you and your child curled up with a good book lately? Reading aloud to your child, in English or in your family’s primary language, is one of the most important language-building activities you can do at home. Reading to your child strengthens their vocabulary skills and increases their background knowledge about the world around them.
Here are my top 9 children's picture books, in no particular order, that were published this year. I would love to know what you and your child think of these books if you have a chance to read one or more of them!
All of these books are available for free with a Framingham Public Library card. I like to use the Minuteman Library Network to find books at area libraries. From there, you can have books delivered directly to the Framingham Public Library to pick up locally.
9. Baby Squeaks
In "Baby Squeaks," Anne Hunter tells the funny story of a young mouse learning to speak. The mouse begins by saying just one word, "squeak," but quickly learns more and talks constantly. The mouse's nonstop talking scares away other animals, but eventually leads its mother to its location when she wakes up panicked.
8. Choosing Brave
"Choosing Brave" is a book about Mamie Till-Mobley's life and her efforts to seek justice for the murder of her son, Emmett Till. It covers Till-Mobley's childhood, abusive marriage, and experience raising Till in Chicago before his lynching in Mississippi. The book highlights Till-Mobley's bravery in seeking justice and the impact it had on the civil rights movement.
7. My parents won't stop talking!
6. Where is Bina Bear?
Bina Bear is a purple bear who is feeling overwhelmed at a party and hides by disguising herself as various objects. Tiny the rabbit, the party's host, notices Bina and asks if she's okay. Bina admits that she doesn't like parties, but came because she likes Tiny. Tiny responds by being understanding and comforting, and the two end up wearing lampshades together.
5. Going Places
Victor Hugo Green was a mail carrier who traveled throughout New Jersey on a daily basis. However, due to the segregation enforced by Jim Crow laws in the US, traveling as a Black person could be challenging and even dangerous. To help Black travelers have a safe and enjoyable journey, Victor created The Negro Motorist Green-Book in the 1930s. This guide provided information on safe and welcoming places for Black travelers to go and places to avoid. Although The Green Book began as a small resource, it eventually became a comprehensive and invaluable tool for Black people across the country. Victor hoped that one day, a guide like this would no longer be necessary.
4. I Am Ruby Bridges
Ruby Bridges was the first Black child to attend an all-white school in Louisiana when she was six years old. I Am Ruby Bridges is a poetic reflection on her experience, told from her perspective, and illustrated by NAACP-nominated artist Nikkolas Smith. This story of bravery and hope is a powerful tool for teaching about the Civil Rights movement. Through her story, Ruby Bridges shows how one person can make a difference and help build a bridge between people, paving the way for future generations.
3. Sanctuary
"Justice isn't just basic necessities like food and shelter. It's also having the freedom and autonomy to make your own choices and decisions, like having your own key." This is according to Kip Tiernan, who founded the first shelter for women experiencing homelessness in the United States, Rosie's Place. Tiernan recognized that women were often overlooked in efforts to address homelessness, and she took action to provide a safe and welcoming space for them. Through her determination and kindness, she was able to make a significant impact and inspire others to do the same.
2. Bathe the Cat
In "Bathe the Cat," written by Alice B. McGinty and illustrated by David Roberts, a family tries to clean their house before Grandma arrives. Using magnetic letters on the fridge, Daddy creates a to-do list that includes tasks like mopping the floor, feeding the fish, and bathing the cat. However, the cat interferes with the list, causing the family to mix up their chores and engage in slapstick adventures. Despite the chaos, the house is eventually cleaned, and the cat avoids a bath. The rhyming text and energetic illustrations will delight readers and encourage giggles.
1. Like
"A New Way of Seeing" by Annie Barrows and Leo Espinosa is a humorous picture book that encourages readers to recognize the similarities between people rather than their differences. Through the use of compare-and-contrasts, this book provides a unique perspective on diversity and acceptance. Barrows' signature humor adds levity to the subject matter, making it an enjoyable read-aloud for both homes and classrooms.
Winter gear is available!
Our annual winter clothing distribution, sponsored by the McCarthy PTO, is underway. Warm outdoor gear such as coats, snow pants, and snow boots are available to any student in need. To request a winter item for your child, please reach out to your child's classroom teacher through email or the Remind app. You may also leave a message for your child's classroom teacher with the main office: 508-626-9161. Let me know if you have any questions.
January is ACCESS Testing Month for English Learners
The ACCESS Test for English Learners seeks to measure students' proficiency in the English language in the four areas of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Along with their peers across the state, English Learners at McCarthy School will take this test during the month of January and early February. Students' scores on this test are used by the district to monitor students' progress in English from year to year. Scores are used as a guide to determine who receives ESL instruction, and when instruction may no longer be needed. ESL instruction will be interrupted during the testing window. For more information, please see the link below. Feel free to reach out directly if you have any questions about testing!
Community Spotlight: Daniel’s Table
I witnessed Daniel's Table food relief program in action two summers ago when I taught summer school at Barbeiri. Volunteers from Daniel's Table showed up each week to send free groceries home with our campers right on their school buses!
If you're not yet familiar with it, this program is available to all Framingham residents who have children under the age of 18 and individuals over the age of 60. The program offers free groceries to those who are experiencing short-term financial difficulties due to job loss, illness, death, or other challenging circumstances. Participants are eligible for 8 visits to the program, and can choose to use these visits over an 8-week period or spread them out as needed. If further assistance is required after the initial 8 visits, individuals can contact a representative from Daniel's Table to discuss their situation. To apply for food assistance through Daniel's Table, click here.