Mirrors, Windows, and Sliding Doors

4/9/2021

Concepts and ideas by Wiley Blevins; compilation and added resources by Nick Truxal

Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop's excellent piece on books serves as mirrors to reflect on our own experiences; windows to peer into other’s experiences; and sliding doors that can distort, allow access, or serve as a barrier frames many wider issues in literacy. One that we as educators can struggle with is finding the material that will have the content we need, the skills we need to teach, and the diversity to serve as windows and mirrors.

So, this article shall be that. Where do we find quality resources, and where do we find quality resources that help us find quality resources. It is a babushka doll of an article. Plus, if you’d like to read more about mirrors and windows, we’ve got you covered there, too.

Suggestions from the Rochester Public Library

Third Eye Education has been lucky enough to partner with Rochester Public Libraries (RPL). The resource we can most heartily recommend is one they created just for us; yet, we share here with you because we believe it’s important to spread good resources wide and far.

This list recommends books (mostly at the elementary level), along with how they can be taught across content areas, what controversies they may spark, what grade levels they best fit, and most importantly—how it may act as a mirror and window. (If you check the link, make sure to try the category tabs at the bottom.)

Suggestions from Wiley Blevins

Wiley Blevins, in his podcast episode with Third Eye (released April 13th, 2021), covers these topics and in it he shares a plethora of other resources. Blevins, a world-renowned expert in early reading and the Associate Publisher for Reycraft Books suggests the following:

The American Library Association, with its excellent list of inclusive books.
The School Library Journal, which frequently publishes articles on diverse books and makes them easy to browse by topics, categories, reading level, and so forth.
Publisher Weekly does much the same as School Library Journal as far as articles, but with a more complicated way to browse past articles.
Let’s Learn on PBS: a show that popped up during the pandemic in order to help students continue to learn from home.

Ideas for your own Reading

Finally, pick up a book yourself. Read it with a friend, or even a stranger!

Consider trying the site book club: see how you are reflected in the book you’re reading or how it allows you to peer into an experience different from your own.
If you’re able to join us locally, join us for our summer book-club-like-no-other: Talanoa (details below)—we’d love to talk books with you.

A Fresh Look at Reading
with Wiley Blevins | 4.12.2021
Internationally known early reading expert Wiley Blevins discusses all things reading with the podcast team.

Wiley Blevins is a world-renowned expert on early reading, an educator, and author of many books--from A Fresh Look at Phonics to Happy Birthday Clifford. He has worked as Vice-President and Editorial Director of Macmillan/Mcgraw Hill, is the Associate Publisher at Reycraft Books.

Nick Truxal is the Teaching & Learning Director for Dover-Eyota Schools and the bass player for a number of Minnesota-based bands.