The last quarter of 2023 overflowed with blessings and outreach opportunities for Team Kirkwood Literacy Lab. First, Jones Paideia Magnet Elementary School’s Principal, Dr. Tesia Wilson, and Mrs. Joy Pillow Jones, MNPS Contractor honored the literacy works of Papa K. More tears flowed when the community resource room was named the “Papa K Community Resource Room.”
The dedication reads, “ In honor and recognition of the outstanding commitment and distinguished service of Alan P. Kirkwood, “Papa K”to the students at Jones Paideia Elementary School.
Below is a photo collage of friends and family in attendance.
Top right photo- Dr. Wilson and Dr. Kirkwood, “Mama K”. Bottom photos from left to to right, Former student Noah Carrillo, friends and family in front of the school and lining the hallways reading reflections penned by former principal Myra Taylor.
New Donors
Excited and thrilled to introduce our new donors, thank you for purchasing Macmillan Fully Illustrated Dictionaries for the 4th and 5th-grade students in the after-school TKLL program.
Left to right- High School classmates and GEM Sister Linda B. Williams, Glenda Robinson Oates, Juanita Woods-Robertson, and Cassandra Hunt Thompson.
Team Kirkwood Literacy Lab Ambassadors
Oh, what a year it has been in the absence of Papa K. Notwithstanding, he asked that I continue the work of Better B. To my good fortune, a few saw the need and stepped up to support the goals and mission. Below, from left to right, Dr. Dena Lane-Bonds and Ms. Ashley Best Jones Paideia Partners from Vanderbilt University and my beloved daughters, Mss. Anaxet and Juliette Jones, much obliged with a grateful heart.
Closing out 2023
The TKLL Ambassadors and I brought to life three books. Thanks to generous Jones Paideia Community Partners, each student was gifted a copy of the three books to add to their library.
Book 1 Nana Akua Goes to School by Tricia Elam Walker and April Harrison.
Highlights and Activities: · Using domestic and international maps the students located the continent of Africa and the country of Ghana, where Nana Akua was born and raised.
· The students read and learned about the Ashanti tradition of tribal markings.
· Some of the TKLL Ambassadors who had body tattoos showed and shared the meanings of their tattoos, which were compared to Adrinka symbols and meanings.
· Face painting! Our kiddos selected their favorite symbols and had them painted on their faces. Face painting! Our kiddos selected their favorite symbols and had them painted on their faces.
In summary, the students learned about the vanishing Ghana-Ashanti cultural tradition of tribal (facial marks and how the Adinkra symbols continue to thrive in contemporary forms, such as artwork, clothing, and school/college logos. (We made a poster board display of Adrinkra fabrics as shown in the last two photos above. The students were awed by the various designs and colorful fabrics.) My Takeaway: To my surprise several of the students had not seen or even tasted a mango (mentioned in the book). So, to expand the multi-sensory experience, we promised to bring mangos for tasting at the upcoming Grand Parents Day event.
Book 2 My Grandpa, My Tree, and Me by Roxanne Troup and Kendra Bailey in celebration of Grandparents Day. Highlights and Activities:
· The session began with the kiddos and me alternating reading the book.
· A live pecan tree, which was planted on campus brought added excitement and more questions. Students learned fun facts about pecan trees, including how tall and wide they grow. The students were in awe.
· Using their maps, the students located the 15 states where pecans are grown.
· The kiddos engaged in three pecan-cracking activities: between two fingers; cracking two nuts together; and, their favorite, using a nutcracker.
In summary, this event was over the top with so many things to see, do, and taste, which ignited the multi-sensory experience. We closed the day with the students’ sampling mangos, as promised from the week before, and pecan pie. Each student was also given a bag of pecans to take home My Takeaway: To my surprise like the week before, some students had never seen or even tasted pecans.
Book 3 Honeybee: The Busy Life of Apis Mellifera by Candace Fleming and Eric Rohmann
Highlights and Activities: · The students were eager to read, discover, and learn about honeybees, i.e. the anatomy of a honeybee, the many chores of the worker bee, and that their life span is only 35 days.
· After the reading our guest presenter, Ms. Carol Hagen, Honey Artisan, and Beekeeper took us a bit deeper, first showing and talking about the beekeeper attire, and she treated the kiddos with honeycomb. The kiddos were so excited and intrigued posing sooooo many questions,
In summary, this event was over the top with multi-sensory experiences. Each student was gifted with a 3oz jar of honey, thanks to GEM donor Linda B. Williams.
My Takeaway: The joy and excitement of all who attended the event. The students enjoyed tasting the honeycomb.
NOTE: Vocabulary lists and critical thinking questions were provided for each book to enhance comprehension and Creativity
It’s a Wrap!!
Do you know a school that would enjoy a “Be a Better B” literacy presentation? To request an in-person or virtual speaking engagement, please contact Authors Out Loud, or view my SPEAKING PROFILE. If you have any questions, contact me at Author.Kathlyn@gmail.com