Read a Book: The Nest

Read a Book: The Nest

  I was drawn to this book because of its intriguing illustrations. Looking closer I realized its look was intriguing because it was crafted by the likes of Jon Klassen.  Think The Folk Keeper. Think Skellig. Now, think Coraline. What happens…

Bagpipes and Pajamas

Bagpipes and Pajamas

Are you following our Write it…! board on Pinterest? This images is all inspiration and puddles, perfect for February poetry. Take a rainy day walk (imagine weather if climate does not permit) around your neck of the woods. Go people…

Celebrate a Birthday: Read a Book

Celebrate a Birthday: Read a Book

“A capacity, and taste, for reading, gives access to whatever has already been discovered by others. It is the key, or one of the keys, to the already solved problems. And not only so. It gives a relish, and facility,…

Leonardo’s Big Idea

Leonardo’s Big Idea

When Leonardo Da Vinci died he left the world more than 6,000 pages of ideas. Think revolving bridge, winged glider, or self-propelled car, and you will begin thinking like Leonardo. Now, think colossal horse, and you will most certainly be…

after Stowaway

after Stowaway

Need a terrific idea for your Section 5 Project? Navigate like a Polynesian! 

Be Adventurous: Read a Book

Be Adventurous: Read a Book

So here's what Karen Hesse knew to be true: Once upon a time, in the summer of 1768, Captain James Cook sailed from England on H.M.S Endeavour, beginning a three-year voyage around the world on a secret mission to discover an unknown continent at the bottom…

Celebrate a Birthday: Read a Book

Celebrate a Birthday: Read a Book

Begin the year immersed in the wonder of impossibility.   "Alice laughed. 'There's no use trying,' she said. 'One can't believe impossible things.' I daresay you haven't had much practice,' said the Queen. 'When I was your age, I always did…

The Best Christmas Read-Aloud Ever!

The Best Christmas Read-Aloud Ever!

What happens when the worst kids take over the Christmas pageant? The Herdman kids lie, steal, smoke cigars, swear, and hit little kids. So no one is prepared when this outlaw family invades church one Sunday and decides to take…

Think Persona Poem

Think Persona Poem

What do Man with a hoe, by Jean-François Millet and Starbucks have in common? Being an avid follower of Van Gogh (who created a drawing inspired by Millet's Man with a Hoe), I recognized at once Starbuck's nod to these great artists.…

Stowaway with Nick

Stowaway with Nick

During the summer of 1768, Captain James Cook sailed from England on H.M.S Endeavor's first voyage to explore the little known southern hemisphere. Eleven-year-old Nicholas Young was a stowaway on this voyage. True story. Karen Hesse invites us to delve…