Embracing “First Words”: Writing FLYING HIGH: The Story of Gymnastics Champion Simone Biles
Michelle Meadows provides a look at her writing process for her new picture book biography about Simone Biles, gymnastics champion and Olympic superstar.
Paint a Portrait with Words
Jen Bryant is a biographer whose recently released picture book, Above the Rim, is a worthy mentor text. Jen stops by TWT to chat with Stacey about some of the most important things kids can keep in mind when they’re researching and writing stories about famous people or everyday heroes. Watch the interview, look through some excerpts from her newest picture book biography, and then leave a comment for a chance to win a copy of Above the Rim: How Elgin Baylor Changed Basketball.
The Threads of Writing a Picture Book Biography
Kelly Starling Lyons shares about her experience of writing Dream Builder, a picture book biography about Philip G. Freelon, an architect who created he National Museum of African American History & Culture.
The Essence of Ada: The Story Behind a Picture Book Biography of Ada Lovelace
Did you know that Ada Lovelace was able to imagine how a machine could not only calculate any number you gave it, but also create music and visual images–100 years before computers were invented? Read the story behind the story with author Tanya Lee Stone who steps into our Author Spotlight today.
Finding the Hook in Writing Biographies
A good biography presents an interpretation of the facts. Doreen Rappaport calls that “the hook.” Join her today as we kick off our 4th Annual Author Spotlight Series with Doreen’s guest blog post.
Many Ways to Use “I am” Poems!
Don’t shy away from the formulaic “I am” poem! There are so many possibilities…
In Thanks: Books That Built a Writing Teacher
What are the books that have shaped you as a teacher of writing? Reflecting today, in thanks, for the authors and books that have influenced my life as a teacher.
New Mentor Texts for Information Writing
The books featured in this post, all of which were published in 2015, represent a variety of information writing. All of these are texts that can pull double- and even triple-duty in your classroom, thereby allowing you to use a text during read-aloud time so you can revisit it during a writing workshop minlesson and/or in a content area.
Black History Month & Beyond – My #NF10for10 + 10 Book Giveaways
Today is the annual Nonfiction Picture Book 10 for 10, hosted by Cathy Mere from Reflect and Refine, Mandy Robek of Enjoy and Embrace Learning, and Julie Balen of Write … Continue Reading Black History Month & Beyond – My #NF10for10 + 10 Book Giveaways
Taking Biography to the Next Level: The Cosmobiography of Sun Ra + An Interview + A Giveaway
If you aren’t familiar with this delightful biography of Sun Ra by Chris Raschka, you should be. Learn about the ways that this book is a perfect mentor text, and hear about the writing process from the author.
Biographies: Creating Connections
Writers of biographies must draw their readers into the story.
Biographies with Heart
Using mentor texts and a notebook entry to think about biographical writing
Not Just Your Run-of-the-Mill Biography Unit Study
4th Grade Teacher (& Slicer) Noor Shammas writes about her students’ Community Member Biography Project.
A Biography for Baseball Season + a Giveaway
You Never Heard of Willie Mays?! (The Back Story) by Author Jonah Winter Though I do understand that what I’m being called on to do here is talk about … Continue Reading A Biography for Baseball Season + a Giveaway
Q&A with the Author of “Who Says Women Can’t Be Doctors?” + a Giveaway
Who Says Women Can’t Be Doctors? The Story of Elizabeth Blackwell is an expertly crafted biography that can be used to teach students a variety of craft moves during a biography writing unit of study.
Two Books to Honor MLK
May tomorrow be more than just a day off from work and school. May tomorrow be a day when we commemorate the life of a great man who worked peacefully for justice and equality in this country. May the example set by Dr. King inspire us all.
Step into a biography with an author-illustrator team + a giveaway
Every now and then a book comes along I want to tell everyone about. When I say everyone, I mean blog readers, my family, friends, teachers with whom I consult, … Continue Reading Step into a biography with an author-illustrator team + a giveaway
