What Can You Do With a Rebozo?

What Can You Do With a Rebozo? by Carmen Tafolla (Author) and Amy Cordova (Illustrator) asks a question and answers it in many different ways.

What can you DO with a rebozo?

Mama spreads it like a butterfly to
pretty up her dress for Sunday morning…

Teach the traits of ideas and voice as students write a class book about what they can do with a shawl on El día de los niños/El día de los libros (Children’s Day/Book Day) today.

Six Trait Author Programs and Classroom Writing Workshops

In a Blue Room

In a Blue Room by Jim Averbeck (Author) and Tricia Tusa (Illustrator) is a bedtime story.

“Time for bed,” Mama says,
“and I’ve brought flowers for your room.”
“I can only sleep in a blue room,” says Alice.
“Blue is my favorite.”

Teach the traits of conventions and word choice as students write about their favorite color.

Six Trait Author Programs and Classroom Writing Workshops

Poetry Friday Book Giveaway Winner

The winner of a signed copy of my bilingual board book Toddler Two/Dos anos is:

Jeri Linsteadt

Congratulations, Jeri!

Thanks to everyone who entered the drawing! Enjoy El día de los niños/El día de los libros (Children’s Day/Book Day) on April 30th! Celebremos!

Six Trait Author Programs and Classroom Writing Workshops

Nonfiction Monday Round-up

Welcome to the Nonfiction Monday Round-up!

Here’s what the kidlitosphere is reading this week…

1. Picture Book of the Day (At Gleason’s Gym) 
2. Audiobooker (The Pot that Juan Built)
3. Sarah N. (Wildflowers)
4. Jules, 7-Imp (Leonard Marcus’ Golden Legacy)
5. Abby the Librarian (When is a Planet Not a Planet?)
6. Lori Calabrese Writes (Lou Gehrig: The Luckiest Man)
7. Wendie’s Wanderings (Today at the Bluebird Cafe – Poetry Monday)
8. Tricia (The Planet Hunter)
9. Becky (From Rags to Riches)
10. propernoun.net (Red: The Next Generation of American Writers –Teenage Girls–On What Fires Up Their Lives Today
11. I.N.K. (David Schwartz on Questions for the Author)
12. MotherReader (Body Drama)
13. A Patchwork of Books (Hey, Daddy!)
14. Anamaria (Frogs!)
15. BookMoot (Now and Ben)
16. World of Words
17. Charlotte (Environmental Disasters)

Six Trait Author Programs and Classroom Writing Workshops

Nonfiction Monday: At Gleason’s Gym

At Gleason’s Gym by Ted Lewin tells the story of Sugar Boy Younan, the 2006 National Silver Gloves Champion (at age nine!)

Sugar Boy heads up the concrete stairs to the second floor of an old loft building. He pulls open the big steel door that says GLEASON’S GYM…

Teach the traits of organization and ideas as students write about a sport they play.

Six Trait Author Programs and Classroom Writing Workshops

Poetry Friday Book Giveaway

Poetry Month is almost over, and it ends with El día de los niños/El día de los libros (Children’s Day/Book Day) on the 30th. To celebrate I’m giving away a signed copy of my bilingual board book Toddler Two/Dos anos. Celebremos!

Email me your name and I’ll choose a winner on Monday.

Six Trait Author Programs and Classroom Writing Workshops

Poetry Friday: Toolbox Twins

Toolbox Twins by Lola M. Schaefer (Author) and Melissa Iwai (Illustrator) follows Vincent and his Dad as they use their tools to fix things up around the house.

With levels and awls
they measure and mark…
frames on walls,
shelves in halls.

Teach the traits of conventions and word choice and as students write about working with tools.

This week’s Poetry Friday Round-up is hosted by The Miss Rumphius Effect.

Six Trait Author Programs and Classroom Writing Workshops

Epossumondas Saves the Day

In Epossumondas Saves the Day by Colleen Salley (Author) and Janet Stevens (Illustrator) Mama is making Epossumonda’s favorite dessert for his birthday when she discovers she is out of sody sallyraytus (baking soda).

“Well, I swaney!” cried Mama. “This is what happens when you wait till the last minute.”

Teach the traits of voice and word choice as students write their own version of The Three Billy Goats Gruff tale.

Six Trait Author Programs and Classroom Writing Workshops

Dance by the Light of the Moon

Dance by the Light of the Moon by Joanne Ryder (Author) and Guy Francis (Illustrator) begins with an invitation:

Dear Buffalo Gal,

Can’t you come out tonight
and dance by the light of
the moon?

This barnyard party is based on the chorus of the “Buffalo Gals”, originally published in 1844. Teach the traits of ideas and word choice as students rewrite a different song.

Six Trait Author Programs and Classroom Writing Workshops

How Tiger Got His Stripes

How Tiger Got His Stripes by Rod Cleveland (Author) and Baird Hoffmire (Illustrator) is a folktale from Vietnam.

Tiger was not afraid of my animal in the jungle, except Water Buffalo. Water Buffalo was big and strong. He had powerful horns on his head. One morning Tiger saw Water Buffalo hooked to a plow and made to work in the fields. Tiger was confused.

Teach the traits of conventions and organization as students write their own tiger stories.

Six Trait Author Programs and Classroom Writing Workshops