Friday, June 16, 2017
Wednesday, June 14, 2017
Monday, June 12, 2017
Just One More Day!
Tomorrow
is the official release date for Can an
Aardvark Bark?, a book I’m super excited about because it’s illustrated by
uber-talented Caldecott Honoree Steve Jenkins.
Today seems like the perfect time to take one more look at the book trailer.

I can’t thank Mrs. Keith, the school librarian at Marguerite E. Small School in West Yarmouth, MA, and all the third graders in Mrs. Zabielski’s class enough for their help in creating this fun video.
Here's a great picture of the students just after I gave them all their own autographed copies of the book. Ahead of the publication date. Shh!
Today seems like the perfect time to take one more look at the book trailer.
I can’t thank Mrs. Keith, the school librarian at Marguerite E. Small School in West Yarmouth, MA, and all the third graders in Mrs. Zabielski’s class enough for their help in creating this fun video.
Here's a great picture of the students just after I gave them all their own autographed copies of the book. Ahead of the publication date. Shh!
Friday, June 9, 2017
In the Classroom: 12 Techniques for Writing Nonfiction
Recently, I came across
this terrific visual aid created by the clever folks at the Teachers College
Reading Writing Workshop (@TCRWP). I think your students will find it helpful.
Wednesday, June 7, 2017
Behind the Books: A First Draft Isn’t a Mistake
When
I present the school visit program, Creating Nonfiction: Researching, Writing,
and Revising, I show the image above and ask students what all those red marks are
on my rough draft. Of course, the answers I’m looking for are “edits” and “revisions,”
but sometimes students say “mistakes” or “things that need to be fixed.” And this
really bugs me.
What
I tell them is that writing isn’t like math. In math, if I said 2 + 2 = 5, then
I’m wrong and I need to fix the mistake. But in writing, there is no right or
wrong, and a rough draft is an important first step.
Revision is about
improvement. It’s about taking something that’s okay and making it
extraordinary. A first draft is important because you can’t improve something
that doesn’t exist
And
then I tell them that, for me, revising a manuscript is like renovating a home. This is a comparison they really seem
to get.
Friday, June 2, 2017
In the Classroom: Writing Informational Leads
I’m
always excited to share great ideas for teaching nonfiction writing, especially
when they involve using one of my books as a mentor text. J
Recently,
California kindergarten teacher Jamie Lanham (@MrsJacksonSDGVA) posted this fantastic
anchor chart on Twitter. It focuses on how nonfiction writers can “hook their readers” with
a fun, informative beginning.
I
recognized her example right away. Those are the opening lines of my book Snakes.
And look at what her students produced after discussing the opening. Fantastic! Can you guess the answers to their riddles?
And look at what her students produced after discussing the opening. Fantastic! Can you guess the answers to their riddles?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)