The co-authors of Rap It Up! Discuss how rap can span the curricula to support standard skills in English/language arts, social studies, music, and SEL (social-emotional learning). Rap’s rhythm, rhyme, and wordplay develop literacy, expand vocabulary, strengthen reading fluency, and build confidence in oral expression. At the same time, rap’s cultural relevance fosters student engagement and inclusivity.
Author: twtguestauthor
Co-Authoring: A Success Story – The Making of Not Your Granny’s Grammar
Learn the six essential elements that transformed an offhand comment into "Not Your Granny's Grammar" — and how they can work for your co-authoring journey.
Share this:
Share this:
Finding Safe Harbors
"Hope is a cork that never stops bobbing on the ocean," says Geetha, the protagonist in Padma Venkatraman's latest novel Safe Harbor. Read about the story-behind-the-story of two children with immigrant backgrounds who build hope with their hands. They take small steps while dreaming big dreams, empowering their community to help keep the earth green and oceans blue. The post includes links to #WritingPrompts #TeacherResources and #ActivityStarters.
Share this:
Share this:
The Boy Who Found His Voice
Get ready to be inspired. Tyler Gordon shared how he found his voice and his process of sharing it with the world.
Share this:
Share this:
If You Write, You ARE a “Real” Writer!
Author and poet Rebecca Gardyn Levington struggled for years with severe Imposter Syndrome, until one day her 7-year-old son made a comment that completely changed her perspective, boosted her self-esteem, and ignited her writing career.
Share this:
Share this:
The Taste of Crab Apples
To begin this year’s Author Spotlight Series, Maham Khwaja shares memories of an immigrant child in America.
Share this:
Share this:
Where the Writer Ends and the Character Begins
Craig Barr-Green likes to see how a writer creates unbearable tension and resolves it. Like Gina, he sometimes experiences sensory overload, and like Gina he can deal with it by jumping into a book.
Share this:
Share this:
From Idea to Book: Sharing the Process
When we write, we gain an insider’s perspective on the process. Sharing what we learn with kids makes teaching authentic and meaningful.
Share this:
Share this:
Inspiration Advice – Tree House Not Included
Natasha Tripplett is often asked where she finds her writing inspiration. She's fortunate to work in an environment that lends itself to oodles of ideas.
Share this:
Share this:
You Can Write For Children
Remember what made you say “wow” as a kid? Richard Ho advises to build your story around that sense of magic.
Share this:
Share this:
How Do I Fit It All In? Reflecting on Writing Beyond February
Dawnavyn James writes, "I thought that if this was going to be my only opportunity to share the importance and benefits of Black history in the elementary classroom, I had to be strategic. I had to be purposeful. I had to choose, which was very hard for me to do."
Share this:
Share this:
Writing to Remember
Today's guest author, Ruth Behar, states, "When I think about the most essential reason why I write, it is to remember. To remember those who came before me and what they thought and how they lived and what they dreamed of. "
