The Best Graduation Gifts

By Holly E. Newton

The end of the school year connotes graduation time, celebrating many different levels of school completions. Books, as always, are the perfect gift and help commemorate this important event in a young person¹s life. Here is a list of some outstanding picture books celebrating the graduate.

For the younger reader celebrating a change in schools, here is a simple tale about judgment.

Zen Shorts, by widely acclaimed author Jon J. Muth, is a story that involves three tales. Three children become friends with a giant panda. He imparts a clever story for each child. One of the tales expertly demonstrates how we need to forgive. A young monk criticizes an older monk for carrying an unappreciative traveler over rain puddles, as he says, "She didn't even thank you!" The wise older man replies, "I set the woman down hours ago." The older monk was able to forgive and forget, while the young monk was still learning this lesson of forgiveness.

Another perfect book for the younger child is This Little Light of Mine. This picture book is based on the familiar song of the same title and is illustrated beautifully by the acclaimed E. B. Lewis. The words of the song describe how the light from within will shine on and on. But, the pictures tell much, much more. A young boy sees another youngster sitting alone, appearing dejected as he is slumped with his head in his hands. As the song progresses throughout the book, the boy invites the sad fellow to join his friends and before long a smile shines through the sad face. This book will surely strike a chord with all ages!

Sometimes it's the wordless books that seem to have the greatest message. Home, by Jeannie Baker, shows the progress of life through an open window. Ms. Baker has small remnants of a girl's life on the windowsill, displaying her growth though the years. For instance, the book begins with congratulations for the birth of a baby girl. Through the window, you see the proud parents in their back yard holding this new baby. There are older looking vehicles on the street beyond the yard. Several pages later, there's the girl as a teen putting makeup on in a mirror that's sitting on the windowsill. Beyond the yard is a full garden and beyond that newer looking cars on the street. There's much to observe and reflect on one's own growth throughout the years.

Sometimes biographies are the perfect inspiration for graduates. Walt Whitman: Words for America, by Barbara Kerley, is a look into the life of one of America's best and most famous poets. His poetry reflected the feelings of our country during the tumultuous Civil War. I found it fascinating that when Walt was young, he loved words and loved to read. He was always writing down feelings and expressions in his little notebook. In the Author¹s Note located in the back of the book, he states that when he was eleven years old, he was given a library card. Later he added, it was ³...the signal event of my life up to that time." Brian Selznick beautifully illustrated the pictures throughout the book, and he studied many historical documents and locations to accurately reconstruct this amazing poet¹s life.

Here is a perfect companion to Walt Whitman¹s biography. When I Heard the Learn¹d Astronomer is a wonderfully illustrated book by Loren Long, based on Walt Whitman¹s famous poem. This poem celebrates the amazing imagination that is budding in all of us. The incredible pictures take you to a young boy's experience as he ponders life and the stars, ³In the mystical moist night-air, and from time to time, look'd up in perfect silence at the stars.²

Mother Teresa, by award winning Demi, is an inspirational account of one humble woman serving those much less fortunate and extremely poor. This incredible woman gave all that she had throughout her life. Included here is wisdom that we can glean from her: ³Life Is An Opportunity --Avail It. Life Is Beautiful --Admire It. Life Is A Challenge --Meet It. Life Is Costly --Care For It. Life Is A Promise --Fulfill It. Life Is Sorrow --Overcome It. Life Is Too Precious --Do Not Destroy It.²

And lastly, here's a book celebrating and exploring the endless possibilities of life. Imagine a Day, by Sarah L. Thompson, and creatively illustrated by Rob Gonsalves, will spark your imagination --beyond imagination. ³Imagine a day Š when a book swings open on silent hinges, and a place you've never seen before welcomes you here.² Give a great gift to your graduate. Give a book to inspire, motivate and celebrate!

Visit Holly's Web Site!

Remember your Grad but don't forget Dad! One click gets you access to all the best Father's Day gift ideas on the web.
Click here for great Father's Day Gift Ideas!

1. MASCD Resources
... School Content Expectations 11-10-05 High School Graduation Requirement Information 11-14-05 High School Graduation Recommendations from State Superintendent 11-10-05 High School Graduation ...
http://www.cgresd.edzone.net/~mascd/resources.htm

2. Tyngsborough Elementary School
... schools across the state. MCAS testing begins in the third grade with a Reading Assessment and students are continually assessed until they meet the high school graduation requirement. The No Child ...
http://www.tyngsboroughelementary.org/mcas.html

3. DeKalb Technical College - Quarterly Schedule
... Development (GED) Test to satisfy the high school graduation requirement. Admission to DeKalb Tech is open to: 1. Graduates from regionally accredited or state approved high schools. 2. Persons ...
http://www.dekalbtech.edu/schedule/schedule.html

4. Lake Stevens High School Departments
... Family Health is a high school and state graduation requirement. This department focuses on life skills needed to succeed during and after high school. Specifically, Living On Your Own is highly ...
http://viking.lkstevens.w ...ndconsumerscience.htm

5. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
... grade MCAS is a graduation requirement for a high school diploma. Initially, a passing grade was ... ... the MCAS is a graduation requirement, they will be denied a diploma. The state hopes that the ...
http://www.arlingtoncare.org/FAQAboutTheMCAS.htm

6. Colman-Egan High School Academics
... required * State High School Graduation Requirements ... band will be part of the high school band for the first semester ... to fulfill partial requirement of the class. As with the ...
http://www.colman-egan.k12.sd.us/new/academics.htm

7. Workshops/In-Services/Consultation
... Higher Education - Most high schools concentrate on state and national graduation requirements. Unfortunately, high school graduation requirement rarely adequately prepare students for college ...
http://www.afrocentric.info/NCACRoP/Workshops.html

8. MCAS BILLS IN THE LEGISLATURE
... comprised of local chapters of high school students around the state, asked Rep. Wolf to file this bill, which suspends the use of MCAS as a graduation requirement and calls for a portfolio ...
http://www.massparents.or ...on/mcas_bills9-03.htm

9. SDC - Education
... WASL) would not be a requirement for graduating from high school under a bill proposed by Sen ... ... D-Bothell on keeping high graduation standards. Lead: A state senator who was part of ...
http://www.sdc.wa.gov/issues/06education.htm

10. Rosa Scott School TeacherWeb Home
... Let me remind you that passing these tests is not only a high school graduation requirement, but we also expect our students to continue achieving some of the highest scores in the state. I want to ...
http://teacherweb.com/MS/ ...oolHomePage/SDHP1.stm

11. Eye on Olympia :: spokesmanreview.com
... and the need to help students pass the state's WASL test, which by 2008 will be a high school graduation requirement. Stay tuned... Posted by Rich| 9 ...
http://www.spokesmanrevie ...chive.asp?mon=Dec2005

12. Michigan High School Graduation Requirement
... high school graduation requirement" 1. Consumers ... racing school of High... http://www ... School National school ... SEARCH SHOPPING ... SOS The Secretary of State Branch Offices News ...
http://www.graduation1.co ...aduation-requirement/

13. Selling Your Home
http://www.finephoenixrea ...0/Page/sellM24081.cfm

14. Harper's Index for September 2001 (Harpers.org)
... S. Department of Education] Number of states in which biology classes are a high-school graduation requirement: 8 [Council of Chief State School Officers (Washington)] Number in which foreign-language ...
http://harpers.org/HarpersIndex2001-09.html

15. High School Graduation Requirements at Sanborn Central Schools, Forestburg, ...
... the minimum course requirement in English ... higher, or obtain a high school grade point average ... for all South Dakota state supported universities ... don't count toward graduation. ADVICE: Students ...
http://www.sanborncentral ...tionrequirements.html

16. Graduation, graduation by vitamin c, 8th grade graduation
... by its ... Indiana Graduation Requirements The Indiana State Board of Education has adopted the proposed 40-credit high school graduation requirement for students who first enter high school in fall ...
http://www.consultingway.com/graduation.html

17. Arizona Arts Standards
... level (high school graduation requirement): to sing or play ... stu-dents have completed high school they should: Be able to ... education programs across the state. Some districts have exem ...
http://www.artsed.org/Publications/Standards

18. High School Graduation Requirements
... for Researchers High School Graduation ... as a Graduation Requirement (PDF file) Student ... Student Guide to Graduation (22 in. x 8.5 in ... SBEC) | TRAIL | State of Texas | Contact ...
http://www.tea.state.tx.u ...sment/resources/grad/

19. Distance Education Programs and Resources for Educators Guide
... Algebra by asking their state-funded higher education systems to come up with educational technology-driven solutions. Algebra is a high school graduation requirement and entrance requirement for ...
http://www.onlineteachered.com/npps/story.cfm?ID=9

20. Oakland Rising - 20% of Seniors Flunk High School Graduation Exam
... name. 20% of Seniors Flunk High School Graduation Exam By Duke ... s senior class have failed the state's graduation exam, potentially ... group to face the graduation requirement, must pass both the ...
http://www.oaklandrising. ...mode=&order=0&thold=0

21. Chapter 180-51 WAC: High school graduation requirements
... 180-51-025 Local school district application of state requirements. 180-51-030 High school credit for ... ... requirements for high school graduation. 180-51-075 Social studies requirement -- Mandatory ...
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/wa ...ault.aspx?cite=180-51

22. KING5 Seattle News | KING5 Education
... PTA, WEA agree WASL must change The state PTA and the union for most teachers, the WEA, are both asking the Washington Legislature to ease off a high school graduation requirement. More details ...
http://www.king5.com/education/page2.html

23. IAP: Information Age Publishing
... Consequences of High School Graduation Requirement Policy, Peter ... and Equity: Issues in Title 1 School Wide Program Implementation ... David H. Monk, Penn State University; Margaret C.Wang & ...
http://www.infoagepub.com ...es/1-59311-113-4.html

24. Kansas Fine Arts Requirements
... throws open the doors to work toward dance certification in our state. Secondly, having a high school graduation requirement creates possibilities for instituting fine arts entrance requirements ...
http://205.214.78.128/~kansasar/FAreq02.htm

25. CILT - 21st Century Diverse Pathways to the High School Diploma News and Ove...
... School Diploma - News & Overview The New Mexico State Board of Education has requested that the ... ... PED) staff gather input on high school graduation requirement reform options. An initial draft ...
http://nmlites.org/info/21stcentury/index.html

26. Collaborative Insight
... the benefits of assistive technology for students taking the new state-mandated MCAS tests as a high school graduation requirement. By shortening the long chain of information flow between the ...
http://www.collaborative. ...results/kurzweil.html

27. Alaska's "High School Graduation Qualifying Examination": Web Resources Page
... s "High School Graduation Qualifying ... like the closest school being a mountain ... studies: a high ses/white -- lo ... this. There are no state dollars that are ... new federal requirement." The new ...
http://www.srv.net/~msdata/ahsqe.html

28. Evaluate - Information to aid in evaluating Tucson real estate including a p...
http://www.tucsonrealesta ...76/Page/sellM7484.cfm

29. Michigan Education Resource Site
... etc. Programs, Certification, Trianing MASA Conference Archives MSPRA Conference Archives Mentor Resources High School Reform High School Graduation Requirement State and National Reports Reports ...
http://www.michiganedusource.org/

30. legislative link
... removes the requirement to pass AIMS to graduate high school if ... year outside of normal graduation requirements to improve the ... into the school district from out of state and has ...
http://www.lagunapto.org/legislativelink.html

31. Cleveland Municipal City School District schools - district elementary, midd...
... class of 2007, the OGT will be a high school graduation requirement (thus replacing the grade 9 ... ... are mastering specific skills defined by the state of Ohio. The goal is for at least 85% of ...
http://www.greatschools.n ...h/district_profile/56

32. SAT Prep News: 2005-05-15
... as Supplemental Graduation Requirement "High school seniors who ... to graduate if they receive a high enough score on the SAT or ACT ... change approved Tuesday by the state Board of Education. The board ...
http://satprepnews.com/20 ...prepnews_archive.html

33. The Light Barrier - Weddings
... his second term will be aimed at reducing the state's divorce rate, but said that he does not want ... ... marriage education" as a high school graduation requirement. Marriage Is More Than Sex Take ...
http://www.thelightbarrie ...iew&id=225&Itemid=256

34. Washington Education Association
... struck a deal Friday expected to give high-school students who fail the state's standardized ... ... opposed keeping the test as the state's main graduation requirement, called the bill a move in the ...
http://www.washingtonea.o ...nid=7&id=83&Itemid=70

35. komo news | Seahawks' Locklear Charged With Domestic Violence
... are considering ways to tweak the exam, three state senators want to eliminate the test as a high school graduation requirement altogether. Monroe Man Charged ...
http://www.komotv.com/stories/41345.htm

36. Science on Wisconsin Public Radio
... Larry asked about a proposal from Wisconsin Governor James Doyle to increase the states high school graduation requirement for math and science from two years each to three years. Professor ...
http://www.scifun.org/wpr_sci.html

37.
... Biology. Students in the High School Program may select the two ... Physical Education toward state graduation requirements; RRISD ... on page 2 ñ Line G meet this requirement H. The credits must be in ...
http://schools.roundrocki .../gradrequirements.htm

38. Patriot Blog :: General :: 20% of Seniors Flunk High School Graduation Exam
... or Text 20% of Seniors Flunk High School Graduation Exam October 3 ... class Äî have failed the state's graduation exam, potentially ... group to face the graduation requirement, must pass both the ...
http://www.patriotblog.co ...chool-Graduation-Exam

39. NHEON Curriculum Content - Social Studies
... com/itunes/download/ The New Hampshire State Board of Education has adopted new minimum standards, including a new Civics high school graduation requirement. In 2002-2003, the Legislature created a ...
http://www.nheon.com/content/social/

40. http://www.franklinboe.org/boardofed/student_services.html
... Assessment (HSPA), a graduation requirement. ïHigh School Proficiency Assessment (HSPA): This is administered to all students in Grades Eleven. All students in the State of New Jersey must pass ...

41. May 31
... of Education to vote against instituting the states standardized test in science (MCAS) as a high school graduation requirement. In the statement the group ...
http://science.nsta.org/n ...xpress_2005_05_31.htm

42. WS/FC Board Minutes 10/25/05
... established for ninth graders. New state high school graduation standards requiring a level III or ... ... Algebra I students will also come under this requirement. To enable middle school Algebra I students ...
http://mts.admin.wsfcs.k1 ...s/04-05/bm05-1025.htm

43. ISU Admissions - New Academic Freshmen Information
... arts courses will not be counted toward this requirement. Practical arts are defined as vocational ... ... courses beyond those required for state high school graduation may be counted. Other College ...
http://www.isu.edu/enroll/nfresh.shtml

44. Arcadia high school california Student Exchange programs with TWO WORLDS UNITED
... california high school graduation requirement is required by ... in california westlake high school california Student Exchange ... Purchase best high schools in united state Specializing in ...
http://www.schoolq.studen ...school-california.php

45. Student Handbook
... Student Attendance Policy 2.01 Wisconsin State Law 2.02 Types of Absences 2.03 Attendance ... ... Graduation, and Promotion 3.02 High School Graduation Requirement Policy 3.03 Grade Promotion ...
http://www.belmont.k12.wi.us/handbook.htm

46. Scopes Trial - Bibliography- UMKC School of Law
... Ca. : Scholars Press, 1982. Rosen, W. G. High School Biology Today and Tomorrow , Washington, D.C ... ... Scopes, John , World's Most Famous Court Trial: State of Tennessee Vs. John T. Scopes , New York ...
http://www.law.umkc.edu/f ...s/scopes/SCO_BIBL.HTM

47.
http://www.pes.davie.k12. .../views/curriculum.cfm

48. Graduation, graduation parties, graduation date
... co.uk/ The Indiana State Board of Education has adopted the proposed 40-credit high school graduation requirement for students who first enter high school in fall ... http://ideanet.doe.state.in.us ...
http://www.bigcarrentals.com/graduation.html

49. Untitled Document
... college courses to satisfy their high school graduation requirement, and can also apply them to a ... ... Department of Education website http://education.state.mn.us/mde/Academic_Excellence/School_Choice ...
http://www.pcemn.org/pseo.html

50. XCA/Cristos Academy
... Course Schedule Course Descriptions Computer Courses Audit Courses Faculty Future Contact Graduation Requirements The Missouri state minimum high school graduation requirement is 22 units of credit ...
http://www.xca.cc/gradreq.php

51. LPS Mathematics
... The next four questions relate to Core-Plus Mathematics Project and Connected Mathematics Project: What impact does the Washington state high school graduation requirement for passing Washington ...
http://www.ican4.info/LPSMathematics.htm