Three for Thursday Week One: Dolly Parton

I truly can't think of a better way for me to start the new year and a weekly post that I have been wanting to start for awhile than with one of my heroes, Dolly Parton.  Tomorrow, January 4, the Grand Ole Opry will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of Dolly's membership at the Grand Ole Opry.  Fifty years!  That simply goes to show the talent and determination Dolly shows both in her career and her life.  Dolly will also be celebrating her birthday on January 19th. 
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Three For Thursday will feature a timely book, a primary source/artifact, and a Moffat postcard(s). These items can be used together as a lesson in the classroom or a fun inspiration for home studies.  I hope you find this inspiring.  

Moffat has a truly magical life, one that many of us want, as he travels from place to place learning along the way.  This time, Moffat hitched a ride with my good friend Jill and her family, as they got to explore Dollywood during the holidays.  I have to admit that I am a bit jealous as I DREAM of going there. I want to explore the park and take in Dolly's museum, Chasing Rainbows.  Someday...

The photograph below is Dolly's loved and iconic "coat of many colors" that is the real life artifact that inspired her favorite song "Coat of Many Colors" in 1971.  At that time she wrote the lyrics, she was traveling with Porter Wagoner.  Unable to find paper, she wrote the lyrics on the back of a dry cleaning ticket!  

Dolly's family including her parents, Avie Lee and Lee Parton and her eleven brothers and sisters. Image: Dolly Parton Front Porch series 

This is the newer version of Coat of Many Colors by Dolly and illustrated by Brooke Boynton-Hughes.  An earlier version of the book is also available.  I use this book in my classroom as a mentor text for personal narrative.  Several themes in the book, including the love and support of a family and being mistreated by classmates, are easily related to by most students.  The book also demonstrates how a story can be inspired by a personal object.  If you are unfamiliar with the song, the book or even the new movie, I highly encourage you to to take a closer look.

In closing, I would like to share Dolly reading this book at the Library of Congress as part of her Imagination Library program.  

Yet one more reason to love Dolly, like I needed one!