Author Spotlight Series · illustrations · multilingual · picture book

The Smile Shop: A Tribute to Language and London

Award-winning author-illustrator Satoshi Kitamura details the inspiration for his picture book The Smile Shop. He explains how his introduction to the Spanish language planted the idea in his head and how the book is a tribute to the London he knew and loved when he was living there and developing his career as an artist.

Slice of Life Story Challenge

Tuesday Slice of Life Story Challenge

Join us today for the Tuesday Slice of Life Story Challenge!

Author Spotlight Series · biography · picture book

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.

Author Spotlight Series · georgia heard · poetry

My Thoughts Are Clouds: Poems for Mindfulness

Poet and educator Georgia Heard discusses My Thoughts Are Clouds: Poems for Mindfulness and talks about how both poetry and mindfulness invite us to slow down, be present, listen more deeply, while quieting our restless minds.

Author Spotlight Series

Announcing the 6th Annual #TWTBlog Author Spotlight Series

For the next week, picture book and middle-grade authors will take over #TWTBlog to share their thoughts on writing, their writing processes, and the path to publishing with you. Check out their daily posts for book + author chat giveaways!

cultural relevance · early childhood · Read Aloud · reading-writing connections · storytelling · writer identity

Fostering Authorship, Identity, and Agency in the Early Childhood Classroom Through Storytelling

As the storytelling culture is developed in the classroom, children are likely to begin to see themselves as authors and to use their voices in braver ways to share their ideas and who they are with their peers.

engagement · opinion writing · play · writing workshop

Revving Up Opinion Writing– Or Any Unit!

Truth: Any unit at any point in the year has the potential to lose energy, and adding some play has the power to rev a unit right back up.

multilingual · rehearsal · translanguaging · writing about reading · writing workshop

Reading + Talk + Writing = Innovative Expression Opportunities!

One way to keep writing interesting and fun right now is with the writing of life equations, supporting students in finding phrases to add together to capture small moments, experiences or feelings in their lives.

Slice of Life Story Challenge

Tuesday Slice of Life Story Challenge

Join us today for the Tuesday Slice of Life Story Challenge!

Reflections and Shifts As We Move Forward Blog Series

ICYMI: Reflections and Shifts As We Move Forward

Today marks the end of the May blog series, Reflections and Shifts As We Move Forward. Did you miss a post in this series? I've got you covered! Read on for links to all the posts in the series and the announcement of our giveaway for The Responsive Writing Teacher!

At-Home Learning · choice · family · handwriting · Reflections and Shifts As We Move Forward Blog Series · spelling · stamina · volume

Family Resources for At-Home Learning: Reflections and Shifts As We Move Forward

This post is a look back at the resources I created to support families with at-home learning throughout the pandemic, and some ideas for supporting families in the future.

content-area writing · Distance Learning · kindergarten · Reflections and Shifts As We Move Forward Blog Series · writing workshop

Cross-Content Connections: Reflections and Shifts As We Move Forward

A topsy turvy year brings with it surprises. Some have been valuable enough to carry forward. I'm looking forward to bringing the best of the year with me and letting the challenges become a memory.