Y is for Yarn
Want to know what it means to spin-a-yarn? Read Extra Yarn by Mac Bennett, illustrated by Jon Klassen and you’ll soon see. Winner of the Caldecott, this contemporary fairy tale is bound to become a classic. Annabelle reminds us that…
Let’s Talk Struggle!
During the last Pages session we explored Because of Winn Dixie, by Kate DiCamilo. The author’s journey continues to be on my mind. I am inspired by her resilience. Resilience, I am sure, makes her a courageous and successful writer.…
Caterpillar of Birds
Write poem that is at once a story describing an image or event or memory. Be imaginative. Think Caterpillar of Birds. Be the blind man who thinks he is describing a snake but is actually describing an elephant. Draw more…
It’s April… Read and Write Poetry!
Try Douglas Florian. Winner of the Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award and recipient of an ALA Notable Children’s Book Award, Douglas Florian is the author and illustrator of many children’s books. He believes there is only one rule when it…
Let’s Talk Section 5
Each and every Literature + Writing Discovery Journal (the core of our language arts offering) sets aside a week to create and celebrate. Don’t wait until week 5 to begin thinking about your Section 5 idea! Why not start imagining…
It’s Nearly Spring!
The first day of Spring is right around the corner. Celebrate spring with your students! Blackbird and Company’s Early Bird Spring Stories Thematic Unit will help do just that! You’ll have 5 weeks of great reading and writing and projects at your…
Never Give Up!
One of the things I love about teaching the Pages classes is the opportunity to read and learn right alongside my students. I am endlessly amazed at their insights. There is never a class when they don’t point out something…
Written by Hand
Writing with a pencil by hand is a foundational skill. But it’s also a beautiful endeavor. I have fond memories of learning to form the ABCs. This work was quiet, slow, and mysterious. Yes, mysterious. My grandmother, who raised me,…
Tracing Character Development
The Iron Giant. Naima. Hollis Woods. Juan de Pareja. We readers know they are people who don’t exist but we get involved anyway. Why? It’s complicated. And yet it’s simple. Characters inspire. They inspire is to try. They inspire us…
FREE Spelling!
A wordsmith recognizes the plasticity of language and delights in the potential of a word. Words are like Play-Doh, moldable, colorful, and brimming with potential. Learning to spell should be like breaking off a piece of brightly colored Doh, rolling…