Jason Himsl (he/him/his)
@jasonhimsl.bsky.social
Education Officer in Ontario’s Ministry of Education where I'm supporting ELL and Secondary English curriculum writing. Passionate advocate for kids and literacy.
Pinned
I posted this in the old place, and maybe it'll do some good for the #EduSky crowd. This is a collection of right around 300 #MentorTexts that I've curated in recent years. While they certainly betray my idiosyncrasies, I think there's a lot here that will speak to teens. padlet.com/himsjaso1809...
Reposted by Jason Himsl (he/him/his)
There's a word for learning from evolution's inventions: bioinspiration. Here's my interactive story on the way animals and plants fuel technological creativity. Gift link: nyti.ms/4otNQyl
How Inventors Find Inspiration in Evolution (Gift Article)
Soft batteries and water-walking robots are among the many creations made possible by studying animals and plants.
nyti.ms
November 10, 2025 at 3:37 PM
There's a word for learning from evolution's inventions: bioinspiration. Here's my interactive story on the way animals and plants fuel technological creativity. Gift link: nyti.ms/4otNQyl
Reposted by Jason Himsl (he/him/his)
An engineer wanted to make a quiet high-speed train. “The question then occurred to me — is there some living thing that manages sudden changes in air resistance as a part of daily life?” The answer: the kingfisher. See my story today for more tales of bioinspiration. Gift link: nyti.ms/4otNQyl
November 10, 2025 at 5:10 PM
An engineer wanted to make a quiet high-speed train. “The question then occurred to me — is there some living thing that manages sudden changes in air resistance as a part of daily life?” The answer: the kingfisher. See my story today for more tales of bioinspiration. Gift link: nyti.ms/4otNQyl
Reposted by Jason Himsl (he/him/his)
Incredible investment in starting book clubs in our department. Over 100 copies of culturally diverse texts, including several 2SLGBTQ+ titles I wasn't familiar with.
We know voice + choice = engagement. Time to put theory into practice!
@elanontario.bsky.social #iteachEnglish📖 #EduSky
We know voice + choice = engagement. Time to put theory into practice!
@elanontario.bsky.social #iteachEnglish📖 #EduSky
November 3, 2025 at 1:26 AM
Incredible investment in starting book clubs in our department. Over 100 copies of culturally diverse texts, including several 2SLGBTQ+ titles I wasn't familiar with.
We know voice + choice = engagement. Time to put theory into practice!
@elanontario.bsky.social #iteachEnglish📖 #EduSky
We know voice + choice = engagement. Time to put theory into practice!
@elanontario.bsky.social #iteachEnglish📖 #EduSky
Reposted by Jason Himsl (he/him/his)
Yes, this is a #writing prompt. #ENG3U students brought in a mix of in/organic materials and will brainstorm tactile, haptic connections between the item and our play. Can't wait to see how they rise to the challenge.
@elanontario.bsky.social #EduSky #iteachEnglish📖
@elanontario.bsky.social #EduSky #iteachEnglish📖
November 3, 2025 at 1:39 AM
Yes, this is a #writing prompt. #ENG3U students brought in a mix of in/organic materials and will brainstorm tactile, haptic connections between the item and our play. Can't wait to see how they rise to the challenge.
@elanontario.bsky.social #EduSky #iteachEnglish📖
@elanontario.bsky.social #EduSky #iteachEnglish📖
Reposted by Jason Himsl (he/him/his)
WEP photo director Jalani Morgan in the Toronto Star talking about his Black Jays photography project.
www.thestar.com/sports/blue-...
www.thestar.com/sports/blue-...
Why this photographer is capturing the joy of Black Blue Jays fans during the World Series: ‘I just want us to be seen’
Jalani Morgan is building an archive of Black Blue Jays fans, families and community showing their unwavering love of baseball.
www.thestar.com
October 30, 2025 at 2:54 PM
WEP photo director Jalani Morgan in the Toronto Star talking about his Black Jays photography project.
www.thestar.com/sports/blue-...
www.thestar.com/sports/blue-...
Reposted by Jason Himsl (he/him/his)
Tuesdays are a battlefield.
Mars was the Roman god of war.
The Germanic equivalent was Tīw or Tiu (Norse = Tyr).
This is why today is called ‘Tuesday.’
And why it’s mardi/martes/martedì in the Romance Languages.
Mars was the Roman god of war.
The Germanic equivalent was Tīw or Tiu (Norse = Tyr).
This is why today is called ‘Tuesday.’
And why it’s mardi/martes/martedì in the Romance Languages.
October 21, 2025 at 1:48 PM
Tuesdays are a battlefield.
Mars was the Roman god of war.
The Germanic equivalent was Tīw or Tiu (Norse = Tyr).
This is why today is called ‘Tuesday.’
And why it’s mardi/martes/martedì in the Romance Languages.
Mars was the Roman god of war.
The Germanic equivalent was Tīw or Tiu (Norse = Tyr).
This is why today is called ‘Tuesday.’
And why it’s mardi/martes/martedì in the Romance Languages.
Reposted by Jason Himsl (he/him/his)
The Assumption of the Virgin, by Guido Reni, 1597, 📸 via @RoysEnergy
October 21, 2025 at 3:27 AM
The Assumption of the Virgin, by Guido Reni, 1597, 📸 via @RoysEnergy
Reposted by Jason Himsl (he/him/his)
Small, simple thing that changes the way you move through the day: placing this sticky note front-and-center on my desk first thing this morning.
Made for a really nice Friday. ☑️ ☑️ ☑️
Made for a really nice Friday. ☑️ ☑️ ☑️
October 18, 2025 at 12:17 AM
Small, simple thing that changes the way you move through the day: placing this sticky note front-and-center on my desk first thing this morning.
Made for a really nice Friday. ☑️ ☑️ ☑️
Made for a really nice Friday. ☑️ ☑️ ☑️
Reposted by Jason Himsl (he/him/his)
What's the difference between 'immigrant' and 'emigrant'?
October 15, 2025 at 2:12 PM
What's the difference between 'immigrant' and 'emigrant'?
Reposted by Jason Himsl (he/him/his)
From airplanes to Pac-Man to the battlefield, the joystick has quietly shaped the way humans connect with machines 🕹️
Episode 2 of Hidden Levels is out now on the 99% Invisible and @WBUR.org Endless Thread feeds 👉 https://bit.ly/46Sxbgg
Episode Producer: Amory Sivertson
Episode 2 of Hidden Levels is out now on the 99% Invisible and @WBUR.org Endless Thread feeds 👉 https://bit.ly/46Sxbgg
Episode Producer: Amory Sivertson
October 10, 2025 at 7:43 PM
From airplanes to Pac-Man to the battlefield, the joystick has quietly shaped the way humans connect with machines 🕹️
Episode 2 of Hidden Levels is out now on the 99% Invisible and @WBUR.org Endless Thread feeds 👉 https://bit.ly/46Sxbgg
Episode Producer: Amory Sivertson
Episode 2 of Hidden Levels is out now on the 99% Invisible and @WBUR.org Endless Thread feeds 👉 https://bit.ly/46Sxbgg
Episode Producer: Amory Sivertson
Reposted by Jason Himsl (he/him/his)
I got to meet folks from Tokona te Raki, an organization that is tackling academic streaming to promote educational equity for Māori children in New Zealand.
I shared some insights about destreaming in Ontario and they captured them in their annual report.
www.maorifutures.co.nz/research/kok...
I shared some insights about destreaming in Ontario and they captured them in their annual report.
www.maorifutures.co.nz/research/kok...
September 28, 2025 at 5:49 PM
I got to meet folks from Tokona te Raki, an organization that is tackling academic streaming to promote educational equity for Māori children in New Zealand.
I shared some insights about destreaming in Ontario and they captured them in their annual report.
www.maorifutures.co.nz/research/kok...
I shared some insights about destreaming in Ontario and they captured them in their annual report.
www.maorifutures.co.nz/research/kok...
Reposted by Jason Himsl (he/him/his)
TODAY I AM, edited by <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:27ddymjvdpb3uezwwp73wpyb" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky-mention">@jaelrichardson.bsky.social, was commended as a Starred Selection 2025 Best Books for Kids and Teens by the Canadian Children's Book Centre!
September 9, 2025 at 5:40 PM
TODAY I AM, edited by <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:27ddymjvdpb3uezwwp73wpyb" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky-mention">@jaelrichardson.bsky.social, was commended as a Starred Selection 2025 Best Books for Kids and Teens by the Canadian Children's Book Centre!
Reposted by Jason Himsl (he/him/his)
Linguistics.
September 24, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Linguistics.
Reposted by Jason Himsl (he/him/his)
The 'kin' of ‘napkin’ means "little."
‘Nap’ comes from ‘nape,' which means “tablecloth.”
So a napkin is a little tablecloth.
10/10, no notes.
‘Nap’ comes from ‘nape,' which means “tablecloth.”
So a napkin is a little tablecloth.
10/10, no notes.
September 22, 2025 at 4:56 PM
The 'kin' of ‘napkin’ means "little."
‘Nap’ comes from ‘nape,' which means “tablecloth.”
So a napkin is a little tablecloth.
10/10, no notes.
‘Nap’ comes from ‘nape,' which means “tablecloth.”
So a napkin is a little tablecloth.
10/10, no notes.
Reposted by Jason Himsl (he/him/his)
one like, one writing opinion (void while prohibited, while supplies last).
one like, one writing opinion.
one like, one SFF opinion.
July 25, 2025 at 3:58 PM
one like, one writing opinion (void while prohibited, while supplies last).
Reposted by Jason Himsl (he/him/his)
And we're back. Today, a new episode of Heavyweight: Etta. omny.fm/shows/heavyw...
September 18, 2025 at 1:00 PM
And we're back. Today, a new episode of Heavyweight: Etta. omny.fm/shows/heavyw...
Reposted by Jason Himsl (he/him/his)
We don't want to scare you, but 'intimidate' comes from 'timid.'
September 10, 2025 at 1:31 PM
We don't want to scare you, but 'intimidate' comes from 'timid.'
Reposted by Jason Himsl (he/him/his)
"I pop the tab. The hiss is aggressive, like the soda is already judging me for buying it. Like it’s muttering, 'This is what we’re doing now?' before surrendering to carbonation."
Reviews of New Food: Dr Pepper Blackberry
It’s 1:17 a.m., and I’m sitting on the floor of my kitchen drinking Dr Pepper Blackberry out of the can like it’s medicine for a heartbreak I haven...
buff.ly
August 22, 2025 at 1:30 PM
"I pop the tab. The hiss is aggressive, like the soda is already judging me for buying it. Like it’s muttering, 'This is what we’re doing now?' before surrendering to carbonation."
Reposted by Jason Himsl (he/him/his)
Believe it or not, the 15th anniversary of 99% Invisible is coming up, and we want to hear from you! Have a burning question for Roman or something you've always wanted to know about the show?
July 3, 2025 at 5:49 PM
Believe it or not, the 15th anniversary of 99% Invisible is coming up, and we want to hear from you! Have a burning question for Roman or something you've always wanted to know about the show?
Reposted by Jason Himsl (he/him/his)
Check out Season 1 of the FOLD's Into the FOLD Podcast on YouTube. Enjoy all seven episodes and be sure to follow us on YouTube or wherever you listed to podcasts before Season 2 begins. youtube.com/playlist?lis...
Into the FOLD: A Books and Lit Fest Podcast - YouTube
Into the FOLD: A Books and Lit Fest podcast is hosted by authors Jael Richardson and Hudson Lin. Guided by Richardson and Lin’s inquisitive natures, love of ...
youtube.com
June 27, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Check out Season 1 of the FOLD's Into the FOLD Podcast on YouTube. Enjoy all seven episodes and be sure to follow us on YouTube or wherever you listed to podcasts before Season 2 begins. youtube.com/playlist?lis...
Reposted by Jason Himsl (he/him/his)
I don't have the reach here that I had in The Other Place, but the TDSB is moving towards shutting down Heydon Park, the board's only school for girls (inclusive of Trans and non-binary) with special education needs. This place saves lives. Please sign the petition.
chng.it/w4HqSDpHK6
chng.it/w4HqSDpHK6
Have you seen this petition yet?
Save Heydon Park Secondary School for young women, transgender & non-binary students!
chng.it
June 11, 2025 at 11:31 AM
I don't have the reach here that I had in The Other Place, but the TDSB is moving towards shutting down Heydon Park, the board's only school for girls (inclusive of Trans and non-binary) with special education needs. This place saves lives. Please sign the petition.
chng.it/w4HqSDpHK6
chng.it/w4HqSDpHK6
This is just about a perfect collection of personal essay #MentorTexts - a *wide* variety of topics from authors who are diverse in just about every way imaginable. Great work from @theguardian.com. #EduSky www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
A moment that changed me | The Guardian
<p>Writers reflect on a moment when their life turned on its axis<br></p>
www.theguardian.com
June 18, 2025 at 12:17 PM
This is just about a perfect collection of personal essay #MentorTexts - a *wide* variety of topics from authors who are diverse in just about every way imaginable. Great work from @theguardian.com. #EduSky www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
Reposted by Jason Himsl (he/him/his)
Our entry for 'hyperbole' is probably the greatest thing ever written in the English language.
June 17, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Our entry for 'hyperbole' is probably the greatest thing ever written in the English language.
Reposted by Jason Himsl (he/him/his)
How can Frank Ocean and Grey’s Anatomy strengthen students’ engagement *and* literacy skills? ✍️
Teachers across the country are finding that tapping into students’ devotion for pop culture, fan fiction, and music can be powerful tools for teaching core ELA skills.
#ITeachEnglish #EduSky
Teachers across the country are finding that tapping into students’ devotion for pop culture, fan fiction, and music can be powerful tools for teaching core ELA skills.
#ITeachEnglish #EduSky
From Superheroes to Taylor Swift: Using Students’ Passions to Ignite Learning
By inviting students to dissect the texts they love—from music lyrics to horror films—teachers are unlocking deeper engagement and critical literacy skills.
edut.to
June 11, 2025 at 1:18 PM
How can Frank Ocean and Grey’s Anatomy strengthen students’ engagement *and* literacy skills? ✍️
Teachers across the country are finding that tapping into students’ devotion for pop culture, fan fiction, and music can be powerful tools for teaching core ELA skills.
#ITeachEnglish #EduSky
Teachers across the country are finding that tapping into students’ devotion for pop culture, fan fiction, and music can be powerful tools for teaching core ELA skills.
#ITeachEnglish #EduSky