Sign in

Jason Himsl (he/him/his)

@jasonhimsl.bsky.social
178 followers 158 following 119 posts

Education Officer in Ontario’s Ministry of Education where I'm supporting ELL and Secondary English curriculum writing. Passionate advocate for kids and literacy. Any opinions expressed are solely my own.

PostsRepliesMedia
Reposted by Jason Himsl (he/him/his)
Walking Eagle News @theeagleist.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
BREAKING: sucks to have stuff renamed by white people, doesn’t it?
363965975
Reposted by Jason Himsl (he/him/his)
kottke.org @kottke.org · 26/08/2026
On a 1987 episode of her variety show Dolly, Dolly Parton was joined by Kermit the Frog for a lovely rendition of Sly and the Family Stone's 1968 hit Everyday People. 💞 [kottke.org]
kottke.org
Dolly Parton and Kermit the Frog Sing Everyday People (1987)
On the fifth episode of her late 80s variety show Dolly, Dolly Parton was joined by Kermit the Frog for a lovely rendition of Sly and the Family Stone’s 1968 hit Everyday People. You can also watch the clip on I
019653
Reposted by Jason Himsl (he/him/his)
David Atkinson @davidatkinsonpoet.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
Today I was proud to take part in a panel discussion sharing my story about being the parent of a trans child I love this poem by Jay Hulme. It is about grace & belonging It's about the possibility of being loved exactly as you are & accepting this truth. #poetry #poemoftheday #Pride #LoveIsLove
Poem - 'Jesus at the Gay Bar' by Jay Hulme
410318
Reposted by Jason Himsl (he/him/his)
Marcus Luther @marcusluther.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
Annual reminder that ending the school year by asking students to create a project about what is meaningful to them and then share it with classmates is the absolute best way to end the school year. Once again, absolutely inspired walking out of the classroom today. So much hope.
1262
Reposted by Jason Himsl (he/him/his)
simoinfinite.bsky.social @simoinfinite.bsky.social · 14/04/2026
Base-12 and base-60 systems the Babylonians inherited from Sumerians, and kindly wrote it down ~5000 years ago. If you bend one of your hands fingers (exclude the thumb)you have 3 points x 4=12. If you count this 12 as one set for each of the fingers in the other hand, 12 x5=60.
092
Reposted by Jason Himsl (he/him/his)
Merriam-Webster @merriam-webster.com · 14/04/2026
Can we have a moment of your time?  ‘Minute’ comes from the Late Latin ‘minuta,’ referring to 1/60 of a unit, such as an hour.  ‘Second’ comes from the Medieval Latin ‘secunda,’ short for ‘secunda minuta,’ literally “second minute” (1/60 of a minute).
648763
Reposted by Jason Himsl (he/him/his)
Merriam-Webster @merriam-webster.com · 11/04/2026
The 'kin' of ‘napkin’ means "little." ‘Nap’ comes from ‘nape,' which means “tablecloth.” So a napkin is a little tablecloth. 10/10, no notes.
522866447
Reposted by Jason Himsl (he/him/his)
Merriam-Webster @merriam-webster.com · 08/04/2026
Wake up, kids We got the dreamers disease. ‘Radical’ comes from a Latin word meaning "root." Because roots are the deepest part of a plant, ‘radical’ came to describe things understood as fundamental or essential. ‘Radical change’ was a change at the root of a system.
261646460
Reposted by Jason Himsl (he/him/his)
John Warner @biblioracle.bsky.social · 19/03/2026
When FYW students told me it took them 3-5 hours to write a draft of a 750 word piece, I had them track interruptions from their phones and some said they had more than 60 notifications per hour. I let them draw their own conclusions on what to do after these observations. Only some chose silencing.
319326
Reposted by Jason Himsl (he/him/his)
kottke.org @kottke.org · 10/03/2026
The Shape of Paris, a balletic short film of skateboarder Andy Anderson zooming, grinding, spinning, and floating around Paris in the summertime. "This is the cleanest footage I've ever seen. The cinematography and color grading is insane." [kottke.org]
kottke.org
The Shape of Paris
The Shape of Paris is a balletic short film of skateboarder Andy Anderson zooming, grinding, spinning, and floating around Paris in the summertime. It is also beautifully shot by Brett Novak; Paris has never looked bette
0215
Reposted by Jason Himsl (he/him/his)
John Warner @biblioracle.bsky.social · 10/03/2026
Sneak preview of the paperback version of More Than Words, including some updated chapters and additional discussion material. Coming October.
2256
Reposted by Jason Himsl (he/him/his)
Ontario Library Association @onlibraryassoc.bsky.social · 02/03/2026
That's a wrap on #FTRW26! Thank you to all the partners - Library and Archives Canada, Canadian Urban Libraries Council, and the Book and Periodical Council - who came together to celebrate our #FreedomToRead.
A word graphic reads: Freedom to Read Week (February 22 to February 28, 2026)

L'image lit : Semaine de la liberté d’expression (Du 22 février au 28 février 2026)
011
Jason Himsl (he/him/his) @jasonhimsl.bsky.social · 02/03/2026
Just finished the consistently excellent #BecauseInternet. While I don't have access to a lamb, I'll name the first lingcod I encounter after @gretchenmcculloch.com to celebrate a book I enjoyed and learned a lot from. I really loved her view of the internet and its power to democratize language.
250
Reposted by Jason Himsl (he/him/his)
Canadian Paintings @canadianpaintings.bsky.social · 02/03/2026
This Painting is a Mirror Christi Belcourt ~ Métis 2012
015941
Jason Himsl (he/him/his) @jasonhimsl.bsky.social · 26/02/2026
I'm most of the way through @gretchenmcculloch.com's #BecauseInternet and am *thoroughly* enjoying it. I keep coming back to her intro, though, and would love for the English teachers out there to spend some time sitting with the ideas here.
An excerpt from Gretchen McCulloch's "Because Internet" that addresses the idea that the talk that we hear in polished texts like movies, news programs, audiobooks, and speeches bears little resemblance to what we experience in real life.An excerpt from Gretchen McCulloch's "Because Internet" that extends the idea about unrealistic communication and draws important connections to how we learn to read and write - that educational experiences privilege polished writing that focus on minimizing errors rather than engaging in authentic acts of communication.
2249
Reposted by Jason Himsl (he/him/his)
The Pudding @pudding.cool · 26/02/2026
The world feels quite precarious right now—and sometimes we forget what it feels like to pursue happiness. @alv9n.com digs into a study that asked more than 10,000 people to share their joy. From personal growth to friends and family, here’s our happiness mapped. pudding.cool/2026/02/happ...
03114
Reposted by Jason Himsl (he/him/his)
Ontario Library Association @onlibraryassoc.bsky.social · 22/02/2026
📢 #FTRW26 has officially begun! This week, we're sharing events and activities across Canada to celebrate the #FreedomToRead. Follow the hashtag or visit freedomtoread.ca to find events near you.
A word graphic reads: Freedom to Read Week (February 22 to February 28, 2026)

L'image lit : Semaine de la liberté d’expression (Du 22 février au 28 février 2026)
011
Jason Himsl (he/him/his) @jasonhimsl.bsky.social · 17/02/2026
I'm happy to share that I'll once again be slipping into the role of student in my old stomping grounds. I'm looking forward to all of the new learning that will come my way.
An excerpt from a letter from Western University admitting me to the Doctor of Education program in Curriculum and Pedagogy beginning in September 2026.
010
Reposted by Jason Himsl (he/him/his)
Edutopia @edutopia.org · 11/02/2026
When high school English teacher @thevogelman.bsky.social made space for open dialogue about AI, students responded with curiosity, candor, and insights that helped to shape the classroom culture. 💬 #EduSky
edutopia.org
AI Transparency Surveys: A Tool for Navigating Student Choices Together
A high school English teacher wondered: What happens when students can openly discuss AI boundaries, then reflect on their own use through a simple survey?
052
Reposted by Jason Himsl (he/him/his)
Larry Ferlazzo @larryferlazzo.bsky.social · 02/02/2026
Where Is A.I. Taking Us? Eight Leading Thinkers Share Their Visions. www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Carl Benedikt Frey Economist
A.I. tutors may already outperform most human teachers, but they also make shortcuts tempting and can hinder genuine exploration. We need to set aside A.I.-free time to read and explore independently, and encourage using A.I. tutors to question and probe one’s own understanding.
Moreover, we should place greater emphasis on in-person, tutorial-style teaching in which students debate, defend their views and are pushed to articulate their reasoning.
Gary Marcus
Gary Marcus Cognitive scientist
Most of the impact has been negative; high schools and colleges are at a loss as to how to proceed now that term papers are no longer valid either as an evaluation or as a means to get students to think. Most other applications remain speculative.
Helen Toner
Helen Toner A.I. policy researcher
Education was already due for a significant shake-up, so the need to adapt to new A.I. tools might be a blessing in disguise.
132
Reposted by Jason Himsl (he/him/his)
Merriam-Webster @merriam-webster.com · 29/01/2026
In English, adjectives seem to follow a specific order: opinion - size - age - shape - color - origin - material - purpose - noun We’re steeped in the pattern from birth, and apply it effortlessly.
28901121
Reposted by Jason Himsl (he/him/his)
Merriam-Webster @merriam-webster.com · 29/01/2026
Ok, which one sounds better? A) It’s an old little amazing house. B) It’s an amazing little old house. B, right? Which of these? 1) She was wearing a huge green raincoat. 2) She was wearing a green huge raincoat. You chose 1, didn't you? WHY??
4071288
Reposted by Jason Himsl (he/him/his)
Merriam-Webster @merriam-webster.com · 08/01/2026
'E' before 'i,' when the “rule” feels like a lie...
31568113
Reposted by Jason Himsl (he/him/his)
Nardwuar the Human Serviette @nardwuarserviette.bsky.social · 31/12/2025
I am honoured to announce I’ve been appointed as a member to the Order of Canada. Thank you to everyone for the support! I dedicate this to my late Mom who taught me so much about history, local independent media & research. I know that she would be, like me, screaming with joy! #orderofcanada
44918196
Reposted by Jason Himsl (he/him/his)
Merriam-Webster @merriam-webster.com · 28/12/2025
The 'kin' of ‘napkin’ means "little." ‘Nap’ comes from ‘nape,' which means “tablecloth.” So a napkin is a little tablecloth. 10/10, no notes.
1066825889
Reposted by Jason Himsl (he/him/his)
George Janeteas @georgejaneteas.bsky.social · 23/12/2025
Reflecting on the incredible work of the #TDSB Middle Years Digital Storytelling initiative with Apple. From drawing and video creation to interactive digital storytelling, teachers are discovering powerful ways to help students communicate their ideas with authenticity, creativity, and confidence.
021
Reposted by Jason Himsl (he/him/his)
John Warner @biblioracle.bsky.social · 03/12/2025
And I'll add that one of the reasons why students may not value the experience of writing is because much of the writing they're asked to do in school does not require thinking. In fact, they're given lots of methods (templates, et al) that actively discourage thinking.
47211
Reposted by Jason Himsl (he/him/his)
Baseball Reference @baseball-reference.com · 27/11/2025
118 days until Opening Day
23210
Jason Himsl (he/him/his) @jasonhimsl.bsky.social · 17/11/2025
Really enjoying The Debaters show with @patterdad.bsky.social tonight in Oshawa. So glad that I came prepared to be amazed!
Photo of The Debaters on stage, with Steve Patterson sitting in the centre.
110
Reposted by Jason Himsl (he/him/his)
Carl Zimmer @carlzimmer.com · 10/11/2025
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
nyti.ms
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.
04519
Reposted by Jason Himsl (he/him/his)
Carl Zimmer @carlzimmer.com · 10/11/2025
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
An illustration comparing a kingfisher beak to a high-speed train
18537100
Reposted by Jason Himsl (he/him/his)
Mario Mabrucco @m-mabrucco.bsky.social · 03/11/2025
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
131
Reposted by Jason Himsl (he/him/his)
Mario Mabrucco @m-mabrucco.bsky.social · 03/11/2025
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📖
011
Reposted by Jason Himsl (he/him/his)
West End Phoenix @westendphoenix.bsky.social · 30/10/2025
WEP photo director Jalani Morgan in the Toronto Star talking about his Black Jays photography project. www.thestar.com/sports/blue-...
thestar.com
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.
1164
Reposted by Jason Himsl (he/him/his)
Merriam-Webster @merriam-webster.com · 21/10/2025
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.
13675111
Reposted by Jason Himsl (he/him/his)
James G @orth.ca · 21/10/2025
George's full AB with in stadium audio only.
531367439
Reposted by Jason Himsl (he/him/his)
ArtButMakeItSports @artbutmakeitsports.bsky.social · 21/10/2025
The Assumption of the Virgin, by Guido Reni, 1597, 📸 via @RoysEnergy
122736551
Reposted by Jason Himsl (he/him/his)
Marcus Luther @marcusluther.bsky.social · 18/10/2025
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. ☑️ ☑️ ☑️
sticky note with each class period I taught today and message "Positive Message Home for each period"
2312
Reposted by Jason Himsl (he/him/his)
Merriam-Webster @merriam-webster.com · 15/10/2025
What's the difference between 'immigrant' and 'emigrant'?
948864
Reposted by Jason Himsl (he/him/his)
99% Invisible @99pi.org · 10/10/2025
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 👉 bit.ly/46Sxbgg Episode Producer: Amory Sivertson
5207
Reposted by Jason Himsl (he/him/his)
Jason To | 杜澤信 @mrjasonto.com · 28/09/2025
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...
Kokirihia Annual Report 2025 cover pagePage of Jason’s ideas for destreaming
021
Reposted by Jason Himsl (he/him/his)
P.S. Literary Agency @psliterary.bsky.social · 09/09/2025
TODAY I AM, edited by @jaelrichardson.bsky.social, was commended as a Starred Selection 2025 Best Books for Kids and Teens by the Canadian Children's Book Centre!
 Image reads "Congratulations! TODAY I AM, edited by Jael Richardson, was commended as a Best Books for Kids and Teens by the Canadian Children's Book Centre, Starred Selection, 2025." and features the book TODAY I AM: 10 STORIES OF BELONGING edited by Jael Richardson. Cover art is an illustration of a diverse group of children with yellow titling on a blue background. The P.S. Literary Agency logo appears at bottom.
072
Reposted by Jason Himsl (he/him/his)
Gretchen McCulloch @gretchenmcculloch.com · 24/09/2025
Linguistics.
143775
Reposted by Jason Himsl (he/him/his)
Merriam-Webster @merriam-webster.com · 22/09/2025
The 'kin' of ‘napkin’ means "little." ‘Nap’ comes from ‘nape,' which means “tablecloth.” So a napkin is a little tablecloth. 10/10, no notes.
452424371
Reposted by Jason Himsl (he/him/his)
P H Lee 🪬 @p-h-lee.bsky.social · 25/07/2025
one like, one writing opinion (void while prohibited, while supplies last).
1708
Reposted by Jason Himsl (he/him/his)
Heavyweight @heavyweight.bsky.social · 18/09/2025
And we're back. Today, a new episode of Heavyweight: Etta. omny.fm/shows/heavyw...
75210
Reposted by Jason Himsl (he/him/his)
Merriam-Webster @merriam-webster.com · 10/09/2025
We don't want to scare you, but 'intimidate' comes from 'timid.'
18867113
Reposted by Jason Himsl (he/him/his)
McSweeney's @mcsweeneys.net · 22/08/2025
"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."
buff.ly
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...
2399