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.

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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.

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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.

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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!

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."

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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!

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!

Thanks for listening to the second episode of Chalk and Ink, the podcast for teachers who write and writers who teach. 

It was an absolute pleasure to talk with Brenda Maier, talented and gifted elementary teacher in Tulsa, Oklahoma and the author of The Little Red Fort, Peeping Beauty and The Little Blue Bridge. If you've been procastinating when it comes to writing, you'll be inspired by Brenda because she manages to balance a full-time teaching job, writing and raising five kids.

In addition to inspiring listeners to prioritize their passions, Brenda shares ways to push students' critical thinking with perspective exercises and encourages people to read widely so that we can can increase kindness and empathy in our world.

Brenda recommends that all elementary school teachers have these four titles in their classrooms:

1)What If, a picture book about resilience written by Samantha Berger and illustrated by Mike Curato.

2)Alma and How She Got Her Name, a picture book that encourages each child to tell their story by Juana Martinez-Neal.

3)The Wall in the Middle of the Book, a picture book about assumptions we make about characters by Jon Agee.

4) We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga, a deceptively simple and lyrical picture book told from the perspective of a Cherokee Nation citizen, written by Traci Sorell and illustrated by Frane Lessac.

​Happy listening!

Welcome to Chalk and Ink, the podcast for teachers who write and writers who teach. If you're looking to develop and deepen your writing and/or teaching practice, then this is the podcast for you! Special thanks to author and illustrator, Sarah Brannen, for the podcast art. Be sure to check out Sarah's new book A Perfect Day. It's the perfect summer read.

Without further ado, meet author and educational consultant, Angela Shante, in our first podcast episode. She explains how to use literacy to tiptoe into social emotional learning, tells listeners how to weave editing magic into their classrooms and leaves teachers with a fun, fantastic writing activity you can try with your class. ​

Angela wrote The Noisy Classroom. She also recommends that all teachers have a copy of First Day Jitters by Julie Danneberg on hand to show that teachers have feelings and emotions, too.

Finally, check out the article Angela wrote called "Tips to Decolonize and Diversify Your Child's Library."

Happy listening!

Summer is here. Well, it officially arrives tomorrow at 5:43 P.M. But for me, it started yesterday. I'm taking the rest of the week off. But when next week begins, I'll start my summer writing plan. 

Having a summer writing plan is another gratitude I could have listed in my last post. When the stay-at-home order first began in Massachusetts, it wasn't clear the first two weeks what my teaching responsibilities were. So, I found myself with a ton of unstructured time. I was determined not to spend it writing. I found that setting the timer for two-hour chunks really made me poductive. 

The funny thing is a friend of mine, who is a full-time writer, was also having trouble concentrating during the pandemic. I told her about the timer trick, and it worked for her, too.

Until I head back to the classroom (fingers crossed), I'm going to split my day into three two-hour chunks. Each chunk of time will be dedicated to one of three tasks.

The first task is to finish a sixty-four page nonfiction picture book draft that I'm working on. Think, Ick!, by Melissa Stewart or What a Waste by Jess French. 

The second task is to finish a draft of a middle grade novel. Depending on how you look at it, this is a fifth draft or a first draft because this draft is completely different than the first four drafts.

Finally, I'm working on developing a podcast called Chalk and Ink-many thanks to Loree Griffin Burns for the name. Chalk and Ink will feature teachers who write and writers who teach. I'm looking forward to this new venture.

Have a wonderful summer, and I'll see you in the fall. Happy writing, reading and creating!