Interview with Middle Grade Science Teacher and
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Interview with Instructional Coach and Children's Book Author, Valerie Bolling
Welcome back to Chalk and Ink: the podcast for teachers who write and writers who teach. Meet instructional coach and children's book author, Valerie Bolling. Valerie is the author of the picture book Let's Dance. Valerie's passion for diversity, inclusion and equity permeates our entire conversation.
In this episode, Valerie talks about the power of weekly critique groups, how being open to feedback will lead to breakthrough moment after breakthrough moment and how we as educators must be willing to look at our own implicit biases and discuss racism with our students.
Children are at the forefront of anything Valerie does as an educator and as a writer. She explains that we encourage students to be the best students they can be by knowing who they are. The same idea shines in her writing. As she creates, she's thinking about how she's going to word something to engage children and keep them interested.
Rather than specific books, Valerie believes all middle school classrooms should have books by the following authorsJacqueline Woodson, Renee Watson, Jason Reynolds, Jewell Parker Rhodes, Samira Ahmed, Elizabeth Acevedo and Angie Thomas.
This year The Project Lit Book Club chapter at my school, which we call The Windows and Mirrors Book Club, read Some Places More Than Others by Renee Watson. Some Places More Than Others is exquisite and it's highly accessible for upper elementary readers.
This month our club is discussing Black Brother, Black Brother by Jewell Parker Rhodes. Yesterday, one of my students, who is also in the book club, excitedly told me that Black Brother, Black Brother is amazing and that even though her brother is two years older and not in book club, he read it, too. This comment made my day because I've never seen this particular student so excited about a book before, and I wouldn't have thought Black Brother, Black Brother would appeal to her so much. It just goes to show how important it is that we get as many different kinds of books into our readers hands as we can because it increases the possibility of igniting their passion for reading.
Happy listening!
In this episode, Valerie talks about the power of weekly critique groups, how being open to feedback will lead to breakthrough moment after breakthrough moment and how we as educators must be willing to look at our own implicit biases and discuss racism with our students.
Children are at the forefront of anything Valerie does as an educator and as a writer. She explains that we encourage students to be the best students they can be by knowing who they are. The same idea shines in her writing. As she creates, she's thinking about how she's going to word something to engage children and keep them interested.
Rather than specific books, Valerie believes all middle school classrooms should have books by the following authorsJacqueline Woodson, Renee Watson, Jason Reynolds, Jewell Parker Rhodes, Samira Ahmed, Elizabeth Acevedo and Angie Thomas.
This year The Project Lit Book Club chapter at my school, which we call The Windows and Mirrors Book Club, read Some Places More Than Others by Renee Watson. Some Places More Than Others is exquisite and it's highly accessible for upper elementary readers.
This month our club is discussing Black Brother, Black Brother by Jewell Parker Rhodes. Yesterday, one of my students, who is also in the book club, excitedly told me that Black Brother, Black Brother is amazing and that even though her brother is two years older and not in book club, he read it, too. This comment made my day because I've never seen this particular student so excited about a book before, and I wouldn't have thought Black Brother, Black Brother would appeal to her so much. It just goes to show how important it is that we get as many different kinds of books into our readers hands as we can because it increases the possibility of igniting their passion for reading.
Happy listening!
Interview with K-12 Librarian and Children's Book Author, Jolene Gutierrez
Welcome back to Chalk and Ink: the podcast for teachers who write and writers who teach. Meet K-12 librarian and children's book author, Jolene Gutierrez. Jolene is the author of Bionic Beasts: Saving Animal Lives with Artificial Flippers, Legs and Beaks and Mac and Cheese and the Personal Space Invader. I learned a ton chatting with her.
In this episode, Jolene talks about the necessity of sensitivity readers, the importance of pursuing one's goals today and the art of putting the perfect book in each reader's hands.
When we talked about Mac and Cheese and the Personal Space Invader, I mentioned how excited I was that Elana K. Arnold had written a blurb praising Jolene's book. This led to both of us gushing about how Elana K. Arnold is a versatile and talented author. She's generous, too. One time Elana K. Arnold did a Skype visit with my classroom after we finished reading her novelFar From Fair. When the school year ended, one of my students told me she never liked reading until she had the opportunity to interact with Elana.
Jolene thinks picture books are one of teaching's most powerful tools no matter the age of the students. She uses picture books when she pushes into all of her classrooms K-12. Jolene recommends that every school library have Stonewall by Rob Sanders because it's beautiful, brilliant, important and powerful. In addition, every library should have a copy of Beth Anderson's Lizzie Demands a Seat: Elizabeth Jennings Fights for Streetcar Rights. It tells the story of an African American schoolteacher who fought back when she was denied entry to a streetcar. This event happened 100 years before Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a bus. One Plastic Bag by Miranda Paul is a beautiful biography. For an important layered text, everyone should have a copy She Leads by June Smalls.
Happy Listening!
In this episode, Jolene talks about the necessity of sensitivity readers, the importance of pursuing one's goals today and the art of putting the perfect book in each reader's hands.
When we talked about Mac and Cheese and the Personal Space Invader, I mentioned how excited I was that Elana K. Arnold had written a blurb praising Jolene's book. This led to both of us gushing about how Elana K. Arnold is a versatile and talented author. She's generous, too. One time Elana K. Arnold did a Skype visit with my classroom after we finished reading her novelFar From Fair. When the school year ended, one of my students told me she never liked reading until she had the opportunity to interact with Elana.
Jolene thinks picture books are one of teaching's most powerful tools no matter the age of the students. She uses picture books when she pushes into all of her classrooms K-12. Jolene recommends that every school library have Stonewall by Rob Sanders because it's beautiful, brilliant, important and powerful. In addition, every library should have a copy of Beth Anderson's Lizzie Demands a Seat: Elizabeth Jennings Fights for Streetcar Rights. It tells the story of an African American schoolteacher who fought back when she was denied entry to a streetcar. This event happened 100 years before Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a bus. One Plastic Bag by Miranda Paul is a beautiful biography. For an important layered text, everyone should have a copy She Leads by June Smalls.
Happy Listening!
Interview with Elementary Librarian, Author and Marathon Runner, Lisa Rogers
Welcome back to Chalk and Ink: the podcast for teachers who write and writers who teach. Meet elementary librarian, author and marathon runner, Lisa Rogers. Lisa is the author of the award-winning 16 Words: William Carlos Williams & "The Red Wheelbarrow" and Hound Won't Go. I had such a fun time chatting with her.
In this episode, Lisa talks about the power of reading books aloud, how to pick apart beloved books and apply that knowledge to your own writing and inspiring classroom activities such as debating whether or not banned and challenged books should be included in school libraries.
At the end of the podcast, Lisa and I gush about Christina Soontornvat's A Wish in the Dark. For me, it's always such a rush when I find someone who loves a title as much as I do.
Lisa likes books that create wonder, inspiration and connection. She recommends that every school library should have Black Is a Rainbow Color by Angela Joy because it seems simple but it's layered which makes it complex. The book is a celebration of black culture and history. Saturday by Oge Mora is another title everyone should have because it shows how to turn disappointment into something positive and there's a twist in the end. Another title Lisa recommends is Woke: A Young Poet's Call to Justice by Mahogany L. Browne with Elizabeth Acevedo and Olivia Gatwood. It's a beautiful, poetic book about activism, affirmation and believing in one's self. Finally, Lisa recommends All Thirteen: The Incredible Rescue of the Thai Boys Soccer Team by Christina Soontornvat. It's about the cave rescue of thirteen boys in Thailand. It's fascinating and would make an excellent read aloud for grades five and up.
Happy listening!
In this episode, Lisa talks about the power of reading books aloud, how to pick apart beloved books and apply that knowledge to your own writing and inspiring classroom activities such as debating whether or not banned and challenged books should be included in school libraries.
At the end of the podcast, Lisa and I gush about Christina Soontornvat's A Wish in the Dark. For me, it's always such a rush when I find someone who loves a title as much as I do.
Lisa likes books that create wonder, inspiration and connection. She recommends that every school library should have Black Is a Rainbow Color by Angela Joy because it seems simple but it's layered which makes it complex. The book is a celebration of black culture and history. Saturday by Oge Mora is another title everyone should have because it shows how to turn disappointment into something positive and there's a twist in the end. Another title Lisa recommends is Woke: A Young Poet's Call to Justice by Mahogany L. Browne with Elizabeth Acevedo and Olivia Gatwood. It's a beautiful, poetic book about activism, affirmation and believing in one's self. Finally, Lisa recommends All Thirteen: The Incredible Rescue of the Thai Boys Soccer Team by Christina Soontornvat. It's about the cave rescue of thirteen boys in Thailand. It's fascinating and would make an excellent read aloud for grades five and up.
Happy listening!