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Chalk + Ink: Season 1; Episode 12

2/19/2021

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Interview with Preschool Librarian and Picture Book Author, Sheri Dillard

Welcome back to Chalk + Ink: the podcast for teachers who write and writers who teach. Meet preschool librarian and picture book author, Sheri Dillard. Sheri is the author of Cowhide-and-Seek. Her humor and flexibility are an inspiration.

In this episode, Sheri talks about how she uses imaginary read alouds to revise her manuscripts, the importance of putting books face out so that they're accessible for preschoolers and the necessity of believing in yourself to make your dream of becoming a published writer come true. 

If you're a preschool teacher and you're looking for a way to incorporate an end-of-the-day read aloud into your routine, Sheri recommends using a read aloud song just like you would use a clean up or a snack song. 

For writing, Sheri explains she had a breakthrough moment when she started paying attention to the positive feedback she received during critiques instead of the negative feedback. So, instead of trying to fix what wasn't working, she zeroed in on expanding what was working. This is a fantastic tip that I'm currently using as I craft my middle grade nonfiction manuscript.

Sheri thinks all preschool classrooms should have a copy of Everybody Says Meow by Constance Lombardo. This book is so funny that when Sheri reads this book to her preschoolers she literally has to wait till the children's laughter dies down before she can read the next page.

To encourage social emotional learning, Sheri recommends that all preschools have a copy of The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld.  The book leads to wonderful discussions about how you can be helpful when a friend is sad and helps readers recognize different emotions.

​Happy listening!



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Chalk + Ink: Season 1; Episode 11

2/5/2021

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Interview with Third Grade Teacher and Novelist,
Jody Little

Welcome back to Chalk and Ink: the podcast for teachers who write and writers who teach. Meet third grade teacher and novelist, Jody Little. Jody is the author of the novels Mostly the Honest Truth and Worse than Weird.  Jody's honesty and dedication to both of her crafts are an inspiration.

In this episode, Jody talks about the importance of reading novels with sad scenes so that we develop empathy for one another, givings students the opportunity to joy write and the necessity of compartmentalizing writing time from teaching time.

One of Jody's teaching breakthrough moments was when she realized her students didn't like writing and wondered why that was. After reading Joy Write by Ralph Fletcher, she decided to dedicate her Friday writer's workshop to greenbelt writing. That meant for those forty minutes her students weren't constrained by narrative, opinion, or expository writing structures. For those forty minutes, students could write whatever they wanted in whatever format they chose. After making this simple change, students not only looked forward to writing throughout the week, their writing improved in all subject areas. My copy of Joy Write is in the mail.

Want to know more about joy writing? Read this post on Two Writing Teachers to find out how another teacher incorporates joy writing or greenbelt writing into her day and the impact it has had on her students. 


Back to Jody, she also shares a breakthrough moment in her writing as well. She talks about how her first novel, Mostly the Honest Truth, wasn't selling. So, she spent a month writing forty-to-fifty pages of scenes that happened before her novel's plot began. Then, she weaved in flashbacks throughout the novel to highlight these scenes and changed her main character's reactions to certain situations based on these scenes. After that, she had a feeling her novel would sell. And she was right!

Here are five books Jody thinks every upper elementary classroom should have:

1) Ways to Make Sunshine by Renee Watson

Jody teaches in Portland, Oregon which is where this book is set. So her students loved all the references to familiar places. People say that Renee's character, Ryan Hart, is the new Ramona Quimby. So if you're a Beverly Cleary fan, be sure to check this book out. My favorite Renee Watson book is Some Places More than Others. Our Project Lit Book Club started the year off with this book and it was a big hit.

2) Efren Divided by Ernesto Cisneros

Jody recommends this book for fourth grade and up. Efren is another Project Lit title that our book club read this year. My friend and fellow author, April Jones Prince, said Efren reminded her of Ann Braden's fabulous The Benefits of Being an Octopus, which is also on Project Lit's list of wonderful books. Finally, congrats to Ernesto! Efren Divided is the 2021 Pura Belpre winner. Click here to listen to Chalk + Ink's interview with Ernesto.

3) Genesis Begins Again by Alicia D. Williams

Jody thinks this is a super important book to put in readers' hands, especially today. Genesis, the main character, has to find a way to overcome colorism in order to learn how to love herself. I'm looking forward to interviewing Alicia on Chalk + Ink in May.

4) Wishtree by Katherine Applegate

Jody says Wishtree is super fun and loves how the story is narrated from the tree's point of view. I agree and so does our Project Lit Book Club. This is another title we read this year.

5) Before the Ever After by Jacqueline Woodson

Jody says this book is devastating yet beautiful and states that absolutely no one writes verse like Jacqueline Woodson. The book is about a young boy, ZJ, whose father is a professional football player, who suffered many concussions while playing football.  I haven't read this one yet, but it's waiting for me at my public library.

If you're interested in more book recommendations from Jody and/or me. Be sure to check out teachersbooksreaders.com Jody blogs on the first of each month and I blog on the sixteenth of each month.

Happy listening!
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Chalk + Ink: Season 1; Episode 10

1/21/2021

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Interview with Middle School Teacher and Novelist, Ernesto Cisneros

Welcome back to Chalk and Ink: the podcast for teachers who write and writers who teach. Meet middle school teacher and novelist, Ernesto Cisneros. Ernesto is the author of the novel Efren Divided.  Ernesto's honesty and hopefulness permeate our entire conversation.

In this episode, Ernesto 
talks about opening the door to the Latino culture, how his students are a key component to his publishing success and encourages all teachers and students to dream big because the world needs each of our voices to be heard. 

It's quite clear that Ernesto has a passion for putting the perfect book into each of his students' hands. One way he does this is by having students fill out recommendation bookmarks for the books they love. After student complete the bookmarks, Ernesto laminates them and inserts them inside the featured book. On the top of the bookmark is a speech bubble that sticks out so that all his students can see that the book is worth reading. You can download a sample bookmark and template below.

Here are some of the most popular books in his classroom:

1. Operation Frog Effect by Sarah Lynn Scheerger
This book is told through eight different perspectives. One perspective is a graphic novel format. Ernesto is currently deconstructing this book to see how the author managed to create eight completely different perspectives.

2. Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo
Ernesto sums up the National Book Award winner in three words, "Talk about powerful."

3. Gabi a Girl in Pieces byIsabel Quinteros
This is Ernesto's favorite young adult book of all time. He says, "It reads like his older sister's diary," and he assures listeners that he apologized to his older sister a long time ago and she forgave him.

4.Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick your Ass By Meg Medina
​
I have never read Yaqui but I loved Meg's Merci Suarez Changes Gears which won the Newbery Medal.

Ernesto thinks all middle school classrooms should have the following two anthologies: 

Flying Lessons which is a We Need Diverse Books anthology. Ernesto enthusiastically shared that Meg Medina has a short story in this book. She liked the character in her short story so much that she turned the story into her Newbery-winning novel Merci Suarez Changes Gears.

Living Beyond Borders: Growing Up Mexican In America edited by Margaret Longoria. It publishes in August of 2021. 

Happy listening!
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Chalk + Ink: Season 1, Episode 9

1/8/2021

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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!


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Chalk + Ink: Season 1, Episode 8

12/18/2020

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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!
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Chalk + Ink: Season 1, Episode 7

12/4/2020

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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!



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Chalk + Ink: Season 1, Episode 6

11/20/2020

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Interview with Author, Blogger and Teacher Educator,

​Melissa Stewart


Welcome back to Chalk and Ink: the podcast for teachers who write and writers who teach. Meet author, blogger and teacher educator, Melissa Stewart. Melissa is the award-winning author of over 180 science books for children and she helped create the books below for educators:

Nonfiction Writers Dig Deep: 50 Award-winning Authors Share the Secret of Engaging Writing edited by Melissa Stewart.

5 Kinds of Nonfiction: Enriching Reading and Writing Instruction with Children's Books by Melissa Stewart and Marlene Correia

Perfect Pairs: Using Fiction & Nonfiction Picture Books to Teach Life Science, K-2 by Melissa Stewart andNancy Chesley


Perfect Pairs: Using Fiction & Nonfiction Picture Books to Teach Life Science, 3-5 by Melissa Stewart and Nancy Chesley

In this episode, Melissa talks about how idea incubators will help students always have a topic to write about, how telling the truth connects you to your audience and how a large part of her heart is at the center of one of her most popular books Pipsqueaks, Slowpokes and Stinkers.

We both talked about the amazing educator resources she has on her website such as the No Monkeys, No Chocolate timeline and the Can An Aardvark Bark? timeline.


Melissa thinks every elementary school classroom should have the book Being Frog by April Pulley Sayre because the book gives readers the opportunity to experience the world from various green frogs' points of view. She also thinks every elementary school classroom should have Giant Squid by Candace Fleming and Eric Rohmann. Melissa talks about how in that book, artist Eric Rohmann created the art before the author Candace Fleming wrote the words.

​Happy listening!

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Chalk + Ink: Season 1, Episode 5

11/6/2020

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Interview with Elementary School Teacher and Children's Book Author, Katrina Moore

Welcome back for the fifth episode of Chalk and Ink, the podcast for teachers who write and writers who teach. Meet elementary teacher and children's book author, Katrina Moore. Katrina is the author of One Hug and Grandpa Grumps as well as forthcoming titles Teeny Houdini and Sometimes Love. Personally, I can't wait to read Sometimes Love. Have your tissues nearby!

In this episode, Katrina gives numerous tips on how to become a better teacher and writer. For teaching, she talks about how having her students do frequent ten-minute quick writes has revolutionized her writing instruction. For writing, she gives strategies for streamlining writing pieces and reveals that at this point in her writing career she doesn't start a new manuscript until she's mined the idea for its heart. She credits Rutgers One-on-One Plus Conference for taking her writing to the next level.

According to Katrina, every elementary school classroom should have We Are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom because it's a powerful, spiritual, perfect book. It's from the point of view of a little girl who is a water protector and she explains about how water is important to her culture and community. So many connections can be made about different cultures and the book is relatable because we all need and know water. Katrina also plans on using the book as a writing mentor text. Finally, Katrina stated, "Very few books really move me and stay with me for awhile and this is one of those books."

Happy listening!
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Chalk + Ink: Season 1, Episode 4

10/23/2020

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Interview with Elementary Media Specialist, STEM Teacher and Children's Book Author, Cathy Breisacher

Welcome back for the fourth episode of Chalk and Ink, the podcast for teachers who write and writers who teach. Meet elementary media specialist, STEM teacher and children's book author, Cathy Breisacher. Cathy is the author of Cavekid Birthday as well as Chip and Curly.

In this episode, Cathy talks about starting online critque groups for students, cataloging her students books in her library and the opportunities for educators to have life-altering interactions with students.

During our chat we talk about Tara Lazar's STORYSTORM post that features Cathy. Also, be sure to check out Critter Lit's interview that features Cathy.

According to Cathy, every elementary classroom should have the following books:

Social Emotional Learning Books to Increase Empathy:
Be Kind by Pat Zietlow Miller
Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson
The Invisible Boy by Turdy Ludwig

Humorous Books:
Creepy Carrots by Aaron Reynolds
Creepy Pair of Underwear by Aaron Reynolds*
*Cathy highly recommends Aaron Reynolds author visits.

Problem Solving Books:
Rosie Revere, Engineer by Andrea Beaty
Iggy Peck, Architect by Andrea Beaty

Happy listening!

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Chalk + Ink: Season 1, Episode Three

10/9/2020

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Interview with Kindergarten Teacher and Children's Book Author, Tina M. Cho

Welcome back for the third episode of Chalk and Ink, the podcast for teachers who write and writers who teach.  Meet kindergarten teacher and children's book author, Tina M. Cho. In addition to over 200 leveled readers, Tina is the author of Rice from Heaven: The Secret Mission to Feed North Koreans, Korean Celebrations, The Ocean Calls: A Haenyeo Mermaid Story, My Breakfast with Jesus: Worshipping God Around the World and a lyrical graphic novel slated for 2023 newly renamed as The Other Side of Tomorrow.

In this episode, Tina talks about Oprah teaching moments, sentences that flow like music and female Korean deep sea divers called Haenyeo.

During our chat, I reference these blog posts that feature Tina:

Beth Anderson's Blog: "Mining for Heart through Bonding & Back Matter"

Kidlit 411: "Author Spotlight: Tina M. Cho"

Tina mentions this post where she dives deep into lyrical writing:
Grog: "How to Write a Lyrical Picture Book: A Self Study"

We also mentioned two Holocaust graphic novels. I named What the Night Sings which is a young adult novel by Vesper Stamper and Tina mentioned Hidden: A Child's Story of the Holocaust by Loic Dauvillier.


According to Tina, every elementary classroom should have the following books:

Dozens of Doughnuts by Carrie Finison because what elementary teacher doesn't want a book about doughnuts, math and sharing?!

Be Kind by Pat Zietlow Miller because teachers are always looking for ways to model kindness in and out of the classroom.

The Invisible Boy by Tracy Ludwig because it's about a boy that people don't see because he's not as cool as the other students. At the end, people play with him. In the beginning of the book, the boy is illustrated in black and white because he's invisible. But by the end, the boy is illustrated in color like everyone else. Also, Tina likes this book because it has a reference to Korea. Finally, I'd like to say that this book is one of my current fourth grader's favorite books.

​Happy listening!
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    Chalk and Ink

    Chalk and Ink is a biweekly podcast that publishes on Fridays throughout the school year. Learn how teachers who write and writers who teach combine craft moves to create outstanding products for their students and readers. Download Chalk and Ink wherever you get your favorite podcasts.

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