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February Animal: Sharp-shinned Hawk
Here is yet another feeder visitor: a Sharp-shinned Hawk. These hawks are smaller than most Cooper’s Hawks. This one has a lovely hood and reddish eye. “Sharpies,” as some birders call them, hunt...
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Trout Are Made of Trees Illustrator
Here’s a link to a blog that asks Kate Endle about her art, including the art she did for our book, Trout Are Made of Trees. Hooray, Kate! Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast Blush about them...
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Leesburg Elementary, Leesburg, IN
The year of school visits kicked off for me at lovely Leesburg Elementary, where I met librarian Connie Watters, Principal Randy Dahms and Denny Hoff, of Warsaw Community Schools. The Leesburg students...
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Reaching teachers at . . . um . . . rest!
What is funnier—the fact that the enterprising librarian at Hickory Elementary advertised my books and author visits above the toilet paper and soap in the teacher restroom, or the fact that I thought...
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Vultures and Science Soar in Middletown, OH
Thanks to super science teacher Bobette Owen (on the right in the photo), I visited Miller Ridge Elementary on Feb 12, 2009. The students were great! I love that they have so much science in this...
View ArticleThe Dynamic Nonfiction Classroom: a Visit to Indian Hill Elementary in Ohio
It is going to take me quite a while to process all the great teaching techniques I witnessed at Indian Hill Elementary and Indian Hill Primary, two schools in Cincinnati. Just look at what Mrs. Bauer...
View ArticleEast Coast Vulture Fest
I just got word. Preparations are now in high gear for the East Coast Vulture Festival this coming Saturday, March 7, 2009 in NJ. Go there for a real vulture view, then go read Vulture View!
View ArticleA Great Place to Read in Belton, SC
Who wouldn’t want to read in this great library nook created by Kate Byrd at Belton Elementary School? I had a terrific week of visits to this area of South Carolina. At Belton Elementary, I had lunch...
View ArticleAnalyzing and Honoring Writing at Sandhills Elem in Swansea, SC
See how the teachers at Sandhills Elementary honor writing and analyze books. (more…)
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The Writing On the Wall: Divine Writing!
Here’s a school honoring writing. Sandhills Elementary in Swansea, SC. A beautiful framed board where teachers can honor the greatest recent writing by their students. Bravo! The Divine Writing Wall!
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March is for . . .
April and Jeff swam with me at Crystal Springs in February of 2009. April got so cold she shivered and drank hot chocolate. I prefer warm waters, too. (more…)
View ArticleNancy Keane, Queen of Book Talkers?
Okay, so I didn’t know until recently what book talks were. But I visit gobs of schools and so many librarians have told me about Nancy Keane that I had to look her up. Apparently she does fabulously...
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If I Were a Dust Particle . . . More from Indian Hill Elementary!
Here are some more great educational ideas from Indian Hill Elementary in Cincinnati, Ohio. These are from a school visit week in Feb, 2009. The first ones extend STARS BENEATH YOUR BED: THE SURPRISING...
View ArticleVultures and Books Rule at Pleasant Hill
Who wouldn’t love books at this school in Lexington, SC? Librarian D’Etta Broam is a book dynamo. Yes, she really did meet me in this vulture hat to honor Vulture View. Of course, there was that on...
View ArticleHush, Little Puppy and 4K
4K is Kindergarten with 4-year olds. Just look what a creative educator can do with this group and my book, Hush Little Puppy. Mrs. Weed came up with all sorts of activities at Lake Murray Elementary....
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Bumblebee Poetry and Nonfiction Writing at Midway Elem
Read The Bumblebee Queen. Pull out the chewiest, most evocative vocabulary and put it on sticky notes. Then move around the words to make a poem of your own. (more…)
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Honk, Honk, Goose Is Here!
My newest book, Honk, Honk, Goose: Canada Geese Start a Family arrives April 14, 2009, thanks to wonderful publisher Holt and illustrator Huy Voun Lee. Honk, Honk, Goose: Canada Geese Start a Family...
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Ants, Vultures, and Compost Curricula, Lexington SC Schools
A few more photos from Lexington School District in SC. I was there for 9 days of talks including a weekend READ Fest, a community event put on by the extraordinary school librarians of this district....
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April Animal: Honk, honk!
Look who was in the front yard on April 5th? That’s right. A Canada goose. Of course this is the perfect animal to celebrate my new book, being released this month: Honk, Honk, Goose: Canada Geese...
View ArticleSchool Walks Its Way to Educational Success
My favorite educational technique of the week? Taking a walk! Lima-Brighton Elementary students and teachers start every school day with a brisk, peppy, 10-minute walk. Outdoors if it’s good weather....
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