Thanks to Andrew Crawford, Donna Copsey Haydey, Donna Hardman, Jackie Parsons, and Jon Sorokowski for their recommendations. ​

The Reading Council of Greater Winnipeg is proud to announce Karen Filewych as our MTS PD Day 2021 speaker! We look forward to Karen leading us through a full day of virtual learning on Friday, October 22, 2021. 

Karen is an Alberta-based educator and has twenty-five years of experience in the classroom and as a school leader. During her full-day virtual session, How Do I Get Them to Write?, Karen will offer K-8 teacher many practical strategies to empower all our students to improve their written expression. Together, we can collaborate to enhance the teaching of the writing processes K-8 in Manitoba.

Download Karen's free study guides for her books on writing: Freewriting with Purpose (2019) and How Do I Get Them to Write? (2017), both available from our Canadian colleagues at Pembroke Publishers. Karen's Instagram features excellent book recommendations, and her frequently updated blog offers helpful and timely suggestions. 

Mark your calendars and prepare to register after September 1 through MTS My Profile. More information about registration fees and logistics will follow in August.
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Here are some book suggestions for Summer Reading that explore Indigenous perspectives written by Indigenous authors. Support your local public library and bookseller! 

Sandra Janzen, a reading clinician and Manitoba Council of Reading Clinicians (MCRC) representative to our provincial Manitoba Reading Association (MRA), and I have been previewing these for an MRA project in inner-city schools. Sandra made the original selection at our local bookstore. As I quickly previewed the books, I became so excited. I wanted to read and share each book with other readers and educators. So this summer, I hope to do a more in-depth reading of these picture books and graphic novels with my grandsons and their cousins at the cabin.

As I quickly previewed the books, I was so tempted to think about ways the books could be used in classrooms, at various levels. Some may be great choices for future read alouds or literature circles in your classrooms, at different levels. Older students can do an in-depth genre study of some of these picture books and graphic novels. Some readers could also practise these books to build confidence and fluency so they can share the books in performance reading, as guest readers/volunteers for a practicum or simple prearranged visit to a nearby elementary school in the future. This could become a collaborative, I Love to Read month project February.

Most of these books are also beautifully illustrated and provide thought-provoking images. They evoke a range of emotions, thoughts, and discussions. These illustrations deserve further study, as we look more in-depth at the powerful representation by the artists. Some of the illustrators are also award-winning Indigenous artists.

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• Stand Like a Cedar by Nicola I. Campbell; illustrated by Carrielynn Victor. This book will prepare you for summer walks in nature with children and discuss what they see and hear. They can learn new names for familiar animals in two Indigenous languages ​
• Sometimes I Feel Like a Fox by Danielle Daniel. This book explores the importance of totem animals in Anishinaabe culture. You might discuss how animals can also act as animal guides for young children who seek to understand others and themselves. Talk about which totem animal you and the children might be. 
• Go Show the World by Wab Kinew; illustrated by Joe Morse. This book is written as a rap that briefly highlights the important achievements of several famous Indigenous people. You could explore other popular raps for different ages and stages. The book also includes mini-biographies that could launch more in depth biographies in your classroom. Great book for a thematic study of heroes and sheroes. 

• The Most Amazing Bird by Michael Arvaarluk Kusugak; ilustrated by Andrew Qappel. A story written by a famous Inuit author. Exploring his work would be a good introduction to prepare for a summer visit to Qaumajuq, the new Inuit art centre at the Winnipeg Art Gallery. ​
• When We Were Alone by David A. Robertson; illustrated by Julie Flett (Governor General's Literacy Award Winners). This book is a powerful story about residential schools. It may evoke many complex emotions and experiences.
• On the Trapline by David A. Robertson; illustrated by Julie Flett. David returns to his grandfather’s trap line with him one last time. So much to learn on the land. Remember we need to explore the land as text this summer.
• Jingle Dancer by Cynthia Leitich Smith. This is a beautifully illustrated book about a young jingle dancer who is keeping her community’s traditions.

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• Siwa Tooskin Knows The Nature of Life and Siwa Tooskin Knows the Strength of His Hair by Charlene Bearhead and Wilson Bearhead; illustrated by Chloe Bluebird Mustooch. This series explores how the character Siwa Tooskin discovers the origins of many things in his culture. These are two books in a beautifully illustrated series about an 11-year-old Nakota boy, in a contemporary setting, who is exploring important aspects of his culture. This series could be explored in a class Literature Circle.
• The Case of Windy Lake by Michael Hutchison. This is part of a mystery series for middle school students (tweens). Be prepared, some readers will be motivated to read the rest of the series. ​
• The Scout: Tommy Prince by David A. Robertson; illustrated by Scott B. Henderson. One of several powerful biographies of famous Indigenous people. There is a street named for Tommy Prince in the North End of Winnipeg. The books in the series are presented as graphic novels and appeal to many students. There is also a teacher study guide for this series written by Winnipeg teacher and scholar Katya Adamov Ferguson.​
• A Girl Called Echo, Volume 1: Pemmican Wars by Katherena Vermette; illustrated by Scott B. Henderson, colour by Donovan Yaciuk. This is the first volume of a graphic novel mystery series that focuses on a heroine called Echo. Middle school readers may be eager to read more about Echo and complete the series. 
• For a short, powerful book of poetry for mature high school and adult readers, consider North End Love Songs by Katherene Vermette. She was the Governor General's Literacy Award Winner for this collection of poetry about life in Winnipeg’s famous North End.

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These books are informal reading suggestions for your consideration this summer and are not in any preferential order.

​Enjoy your summer reading with your family! ​

The Reading Council of Greater Winnipeg and the Manitoba Reading Association joined together to honour literacy leaders from around Manitoba at their annual awards evening, held virtually at the end of May 2021.

Holly Cumming was awarded the International Literacy Association's Celebrate Literacy Award in recognition of her passion, dedication, and commitment to literacy. Holly recently retired from her role as a Reading Recovery Teacher Leader. Over her 40-plus-year career, she facilitated, coordinated, and presented and numerous conferences locally, nationally, and internationally. Congratulations, Holly!

The Certificate of Merit was awarded to Talia Paetsch, a first-year teacher at the New Directions Inc. School, which supports sexually exploited girls and women. She centres strategic literacy in her teaching and finds creative ways to make learning relevant to her students. Her approach engages her students and keeps them coming to school, reducing their safety risks and increasing their opportunities for graduation. Congratulations, Talia! 

RCGW Scholarships were awarded to Jessica Neudorf and Carrie Miller, students at the University of Manitoba. Jessica's scholarship citation described how she sees literacy's role in empowering students to express their voice and advocacy. Carrie's explored the importance of language, student needs, and supports for refugee and newcomer students. Read more about these exemplary new teachers. Congratulations, Jessica and Carrie! 

The Reading Council of Greater Winnipeg welcomes award nominations each year. The nominations package for next school year's awards will be available in the fall.