The Inside Out Quiz Author Skype Session by Ashley Daniels I am blessed with the opportunity to student teach twenty-six wonderful second graders. One goal I set for myself while finishing my degree was to bring technology into the classroom in a tangible way. With 21st century technology available, I decided to use Skype to… Read more »
School Visits
Appearances 2017
Posting new appearances every day! 2/2/17 Colorado Council International Reading Association – Presentation and Book Signing 2/4/17 WriteOnCon Q&A Session on Picture Book Writing with Scholastic Editor Celia Lee 2/17/17 Mount Lebanon Montessori School Author Visit 3/2/17 Mercedes Benz… Read more »
Busy Builders, Busy Week! Book Bash Day 3
Welcome, friends, to Day 3 of my BUSY BUILDERS, BUSY WEEK! Book Bash. In my latest book, each day of the week features a colorful cast of animal characters and a different construction activity as the digging, dumping and ‘dozing lead up to one stupendous surprise! So, it seemed only fitting that for a days-of-the-week… Read more »
Feeling the Love from Rhinelander!
My Skype visit with first graders in Rhinelander, Wisconsin was one of my favorites of the year! And the happiness continued a week later when their lovely letters and art arrived in the mail. Thank you, students and teachers for such a warm and gracious “getting to know you.”
Connecting with Authors – Bringing Literacy to Life
Ellie Rumney is a library media specialist extraordinaire from Rhinelander, Wisconsin. Her heartfelt post gave me goosebumps. Yes, small moments can provide endless inspiration. Thank you, Ellie! Connecting with Authors – Bringing Literacy to Life by Ellie Rumney The joyful faces of student connecting an author to a book is a priceless sight. On one… Read more »
When Being “Too Pickley” Was “Just Right”
Last month I had the great honor of a virtual visit in the classroom of one of New Jersey’s finest teachers, Kevin McCann. Kevin brings out the best in kids. It shows in his amazing students, and – as you’ll see below – in his adorable sons. I know you’ll enjoy this peek into our… Read more »
Skyping with Older Students and “What I Love Most.”
My published picture books are aimed at the youngest readers, so teachers of 2nd-12th graders often wonder what I can do in their classrooms. Why Skype with an author who writes kiddie books? With older students, we usually talk more about writing and I often share with them my Top Ten Super Secret Writing Tips…. Read more »
Tuesday for Teachers: A View From their Window
In my book TIME OUT FOR MONSTERS, the boy in the story draws a window with a view. What would students like to see outside their windows? Let them draw their dream views on square-shaped pieces of paper. When they’re finished, let them add a paper window frame and panes with thin strips of brown… Read more »
Tuesdays for Teachers: “TOO” Cool Copycat Writing
Imitation may be the highest form of flattery, but it’s also a darn good writing tool. I call it “copycat” writing. Educators call it using a “mentor text.” If you’ve read my book LIGHT UP THE NIGHT, you realize that it was patterned after the classic THE HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT. The structure of the… Read more »
Tuesdays for Teachers: The Author Q & A Video
In late 2014, a school contacted me about a week long literacy event it was hosting this month. Originally, organizers hoped to schedule virtual author visits throughout the week to go along with the program. But when scheduling became a nightmare, they came up with another idea. The Video Q&A! Classrooms brainstormed questions about books… Read more »
My Books
