Author Spotlight Series · biography · picture book

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.

Maribeth Boelts · mentor texts · picture book

A Review of Kaia and the Bees

Kaia and the Bees is a picture book you can use as a mentor text in narrative writing units. The book contains many craft moves, which makes it perfect for using in minilessons, writing conferences, and strategy lessons. Learn more about the book and take a peek inside of it.

informational writing · mentor texts · picture book

A Mentor Text to Inspire the Next Generation of Writers and Activists + a Book Giveaway

I’ve found a hybrid mentor text that will inspire young writers and budding activists. Leave a comment on this post for a chance to win a copy of Scot Ritchie’s new book, Join the No-Plastic Challenge.

ADHD · classroom environment · giveaway · picture book

How to Deal with “Too Much” Energy in the Classroom + a Book Giveaway

Every writing workshop I've ever taught or consulted in has had at least one child who is in perpetual motion. Many times, that child is the kid who talks their classmates during independent writing time, interrupts their teacher during a writing conference, or cannot respect their peers' space in the meeting area. The first few weeks of school are the perfect time to begin conversations about living in a classroom community where all learners have different needs. Susan Verde, author of Unstoppable Me, chats with Stacey about the ways we can build classroom writing communities that welcome kids with who are often seen as having "too much" energy.

Craft Moves · mentor texts · picture book

Six New Narrative Picture Books for Your Mentor Text Basket

Just as we reflect our teaching practices in the summertime, we can rethink some of the mentor texts we use and find new ones to share with students in minilessons, writing conferences, and strategy lessons.

expository · mentor texts · non-narrative writing · nonfiction · nonfiction writing · picture book

The Joys of Sharing Expository Nonfiction Mentor Texts with Students + a Giveaway

Consider sharing these six books with your fact-loving students. Leave a comment on this post for a chance to win all six books for your classroom library.

picture book · Read Aloud · writing

Writing on a Snow Day

Matthew Cordell's new picture book provides inspiration for kids to CHOOSE to write when they're snowed-in during the winter. Read through my Q&A with Cordell to start thinking about how you could encourage your students to decide to write when they're homebound this winter.
After you read the Q&A, leave a comment on this blog post for the chance to win a copy of King Alice.

mentor texts · picture book · Read Aloud

Books to Begin the School Year

Add six new picture books to your back-to-school read alouds and to your mentor text collection this fall.
After you read through this post, be sure to leave a comment about how you'd use these books in your classroom for a chance to win all six of them.

Author Spotlight Series · illustrators · picture book

Teachable Concepts for Young Kids Through Cooking

Author and illustrator Melissa Iwai explains how cooking provides many teachable aspects to explore, such as counting, observing, and following a series of steps.

Author Spotlight Series · biography · picture book

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.

Author Spotlight Series · fiction · Lester L. Laminack · nonfiction · picture book

Building a House of Fiction on a Foundation of Nonfiction

Meet Lester Laminack at the corner of story and information. You’ll chat a while. He’ll introduce you to a couple of characters and walk with you through the South Carolina Lowcountry. And hopefully you’ll leave filled with new information.

interview · picture book

A Conversation with Amy June Bates & Juniper Bates + a Book Giveaway

  Anyone who knows me in real life knows how concerned I’ve been about the state of affairs in our country. I’ve been making phone calls, signing petitions, and showing up to my congressman’s office with regularity. There’s only so much that one citizen can do so I’m often left feeling like I wish I… Continue reading A Conversation with Amy June Bates & Juniper Bates + a Book Giveaway