The Reading Quilt: Bluish by Virginia Hamilton

Each month, “The Reading Quilt” provides a short review of a book that a teacher may use to spark conversations about culture and race, along with a learning activity that may help students understand human behavior. Using the acronym QUILT, Slaughter offers readers information about the Quality of writing, Imaginative plot, as well as a mini Lesson plan, and Talking points that stem from the book’s premise. This month, Virginia Hamilton’s Bluish (Scholastic, 1999), which details the life of a sick girl and her classmates is the focus of QUILT.

Read More

United Way’s Dr. Nikia Owens Provides Essential Resources for Philadelphia and New Jersey Communities

United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey, is a non-profit that works exclusively toward the goal of lifting people out of poverty. FunTimes spoke to Dr. Nikia Owens, the Managing Director of Financial Empowerment at United Way, to learn more about resources available for community members during and after COVID-19, and to share the services they provide.

Read More