So Much Nonfiction*, So Little Time
Had a great time at the ORA Winter Institute in Portland this weekend. I was expecting around 50 people for my session, but wound up with 127! SRO!! It was great, and even though we could have used more space for our activities. I might have cut the movement activities because of the numbers, but I believe movement is so important to learning that I wanted to show, rather than just tell about it. I appreciate the participants' cooperation, patience, and eager participation. The Frozen Moments were awesome. I got several questions after the session, and I thought I'd post the answers for all:
What approach do you like for primary grades? I love the Kid Writing concept for kindergarten (see Kid Writing by Felgus and Cardonick) and Interactive Writing for first grade (see Interactive Writing by McCarrier, Pinnell, and Fountas; and Interactive Writing Strategies by Calabrese). I also like the Great Source materials (traits related), and Vicki Spandel's book: Creating Young Writers.
Where can I get copies of The Magic of A.C. Gilbert? Print copies are available on this website under the Books tab. An electronic version is available at Amazon.com or barnesandnoble.com.
Will you come to our school to work with our staff? Absolutely! I do professional development presentations for staff and author visits (free class set of A.C. included) for students. See the Real Writing flyer in the handouts for more information.
If you have comments and/or questions, please use the comment tab here, or e-mail me directly at realwriting@comcast.net.
Poetry
Ahh, poetry, the economic use of words that have meaning and rhythm. I have always enjoyed writing poems as well as sharing my interest in poetry with kids. I've had the pleasure of exploring this genre with fourth graders at Willagillespie school, and I'd like to share some of their hard work. Feel free to comment, encourage and support these young writers.
First, I'd like to offer one of mine that I shared with the students as we created together. This poem was inspired by a recent trip on an airplane.
Perfume
Silently, it sneaks
into my nose,
hides there
then tiptoes
down to my mouth,
where it ties my tongue tightly
and robs my breath.
Happy New Year!
And a most happy and healthy New Year to all. 2011 was a very interesting and exciting year; I expect 2012 to be the same. A little calmer would be fine, but I'm not complaining. Not only did I get to travel last year (Idaho, central Oregon, San Diego), but I also had a book published (The Magic of A.C. Gilbert) in both print and electronic (my first) formats. 2012 is looking quite good, with two more books scheduled or release, and shortly, too.
Despite being highly focused on house-building matters, the writing life continues. Currently, I'm creating a display for the Eugene Public Library that will highlight the A.C. book. Hope to have it set up sometime this week. A Ferris wheel made from a 1960 Erector Set will be part of the display. If you live in the area, drop by the children's section of the library and check it out.
I Love to Write Day
Oh, no, not another holiday. But wait, this one is different. No gifts to buy, dinners to prepare, or relatives to endure. Just fun. Writing fun!
November 15 is national I Love to Write Day. Founded in 2002 by Delaware author John Riddle, this is a special day to celebrate writing and remember its importance (ed. note: this can also be done every day of the year). Of course there is a website to visit - http://www.ilovetowriteday.org/ - where you can find activities for kids as well as parents. Enjoy!
And, if you miss this day, make I Love to Write Day the next day. And the next. And the next...
Vacation
Hiking with llamas
Of course, "mental vacations" are another matter for some writers, including me. So, during the week I proofread a middle-grade novel I am planning to submit. I also spent time jotting down ideas for other projects and planning marketing strategies for current books. It was a great time.
Prepping
It's a great today as I prepare for a workshop session I'll be presenting tomorrow for the Eugene Emerald Reading Council. The topic: nonfiction, something near and dear to my heart. Nonfiction is a topic more and more teachers are paying attention to now, which is a very good thing since most of what we write in our lives is nonfiction. When was the last time you wrote a piece of fiction? Uhh, it's been awhile, right?
This does not mean that we shouldn't be instructing kids how to write stories. Using your imagination to create stories is very important, too. But, fiction should not (in my humble opinion) be the primary emphasis of a writing program. Or, a reading program for that matter.
If you want handouts for the session, you'll find them in the Workshops tab at the top of my home page of the website. They will only be available for a limited time, so get 'em while they're hot! I'd also direct you to the Emerald Empire Reading Council's website that appears on my Blogroll (on the right). They have many useful resources as well.
Welcome Amazon
And here's a warm welcome to blog readers from the Amazon Author Page site. I have recently set up this page to share the work I have done, and the work I am doing. The latest is a picture book biography of America's most famous toymaker: A.C. Gilbert. The book is titled The Magic of A.C. Gilbert and is an e-book version, my very first ever. This version comes as a result of my association with eReadia, a very cool company that's offering e-books as well as innovative tech support for both teachers and writers. Check out their site at www.eReadia.com. Thanks, Will (the Prez), for your vision and your support.
Another e-book will soon be available on the Amazon site, too. Stay tuned...
First days
First days of school are mystical. A few are memorable. The most memorable one for me was not my own but my son’s. Tyler’s first day of kindergarten was a landmark: our first child going off to public school for the first time. Excitement, anxiety, and hope for the future filled the air at our house.
After the obligatory photos that would become a family tradition (Tyler with Mom, Tyler with Dad, Tyler with the dog), I drove Tyler the two miles to school. We talked easily on the drive, about the fun he would have and about the games we would play when school was over.
The school was buzzing with cars and busses and parents and kids. Tyler and I walked hand-in-hand to his classroom. He looked around, wide-eyed at the activity. As we neared his classroom our pace slowed. When we were about 10 feet away from the door, Tyler dropped to his knees on the ground and pulled me with him.
“Whatsa’ matter, Tyler?” I whispered in his ear.
“I’m a little scared,” a small voice replied.
I let that sink in.
“Me, too,” I told him.
We stayed frozen a while then Tyler turned to face me. His blue eyes glistened as he wrapped his arms around me. Then he stood up straight, walked past the parents that hovered outside the classroom door, and into into his new world.
What "First Day" stands out for you?
Where Ya Been?
I haven't been far. Actually I've been right here at the sight, but working on setting up an online class. You'll see it on my homepage tab bar. Just roll your mouse over the tab and you'll see the class name. You can click on the class name and get to the entry of the class, which will only be available to people who register for the class. This class focuses on the six traits of writing and how to integrate them into classrooms to help kids improve their writing. The class is aimed at teachers of grades through eight, and will be offered through Portland State University starting winter term. Hope I can get it all ready by then!
The Battle of Gettysburg
What do authors do when they're not writing books? They write other things, in this case a web album about the battle of Gettysburg. I had been to the battlefield as a kid on my eighth grade class trip in 1965. Forty-five years later I returned with a more "seasoned" interest. I developed this album as a way to make a personal connection to the place and the event. Check it out and feel free to use with your classes, or to partially satisfy your curiosity about one of the Civil War's most important battles.
Here's the link:
https://picasaweb.google.com/areswhy/Gettysburg?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCP683KP06drCYg&feat=directlink