Chalk + Ink: Season 1, Episode 5

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!