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 »
Tuesdays for Teachers
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 »
Tuesdays for Teachers: TOO PICKLEY! Yucky and Yummy Plates!
I’m so excited about my new blog topic – TUESDAYS FOR TEACHERS! I’ll be saving my Tuesday blog spots to highlight fun ideas for using my books in the classroom. Some activities will come from my fabulous Curriculum Guides (which were created by award-winning teachers!) and others will come from activities I’ve used and experiences… Read more »
My Books
