A San Antonio native, Carmen Tafolla is a godmother of Chicana Literature she is said to give “voice to the peoples and cultures of this land”. She promotes this through writing poetry, stories, non-fiction, and plays. She has won the Art of Peace Award for work which contributes to peace, justice, and human understanding. Above is a presentation outlining her works, some exaples of it, and ideas on ways to use her book What Can You Do with a Rebozo?
SEYMOUR SIMON
Seymour Simon is the author of more than 250 wonderful science books. Many of which have been named Outstanding Science Trade Books for Children by the National Science Teacher Association. His collection of books are filled with wonderful picture of animals, space, earth, dinosaurs, and so much more. He also has a wide range of Spanish books that really help students with their cognitive development. Seymour Simon’s books encourage children to enjoy the world around them through learning and discovery, and by making science fun.
Ashley Bryan is a children’s author and illustrator who wasn’t published until he was forty years old. He mainly focuses on the African American experiences and subjects. He focuses on African American history, folktales, and spirituals. He is the first African American who published a book he wrote and illustrator.
His poems and books are lyrical and use alliteration and onomatopoeia. You can use his work Beat the Story Drum, Pum-Pum to introduce folktales connecting to the Social Studies 1th grade TEKS.
Author Presentation – J. Patrick Lewis: Children’s Poet and Author
J. Patrick Lewis is a beloved children’s author with many published works. He is most known for his creative poems and use of wordplay. Above is a presentation outlining his works, some examples of his poetry, and ways to use his works in the classroom.
While he covers a wide range of topics, his historical and geographical themed works stand out for me. His work invites students to investigate historic events and people threw poetic eyes. Specifically, his poems in A World of Wonders pair well with the Social Studies TEKS in 1st-5th grades relating to geography and world exploration.
Check out this creative video of J. Patrick Lewis reading his poem “Make the Earth Your Companion” from Animal Poetry.
Author Presentation- Greg Tang
Above is a quick author presentation that introduces the work of Greg Tang. He his an author of children’s books which teach different math concepts such as Multiplication, Grouping, Group Counting, and Addition. Tang uses rhyme and riddles to encourage students to figure out math problems. Although Greg Tang’s work most closely relates to Science, his books could also be used for Art (Math-terpieces) or as inspiration for Writer’s Workshop.
Here is a link to an interview of author Greg Tang about why he writes his math books.
Eileen C.
Author Presentation: Aileen Fisher
Aileen Fisher’s love for poetry is what inspires her beautifully written work for children. Although the themes of her work vary, her use of poetry is incorporated within each. According to Fisher, “Poetry is a rhythmical piece of writing that leaves the reader feeling that life is a little richer than before, a little more full of wonder, beauty, or just plain delight”. Since Fisher’s themes vary, you could use her work in various areas. My suggestions in the classroom are just a few obvious ways to use her work which allow children to explore their own writing. I thought her work would best be used in the English Language Arts TEKS: 7 in grades Kinder and Second, 8 in First, 6 in third, and 4 in grades fourth and fifth. Her work would also be useful when learning about literary nonfiction: 10 in grades first and second, 9 in third, and 7 in grades fourth and fifth.
Kenn Nesbitt
Having trouble seeing slides? Please view in full screen.
KENN NESBITT is possibly the funniest and most sought-after children’s poet writer today. When he’s not writing, podcasting, updating his website (poetry4kids.com), he is visiting schools sharing his wacky brand of humor with kids across America. He loves to create poetry about wild and weird school adventures that all children can personally relate with. His off the wall humor is bound to make any student a fan of Language Arts!
I have specifically included some of his poetry about science topics you can use to introduce and integrate new content into your classroom. As an extra bonus the slides also have a quick science experiment about germs that can accompany his poetry. ENJOY!
Snippet: A Pig is Big by Douglas Florian
This beautifully illustrated children’s book explores ‘what’s big?’ within our world. Through rhyme, author Douglas Florian, weaves a silly and entertaining story about a chubby, pink pig as he travels around the world. The story highlights the comparison between the concepts of big, bigger, and biggest. A math lesson where size comparison is investigated would be an ideal environment to use this book.
Here’s a snippet:
“What’s big? A pig is big. A pig is fat. A pig is bigger than my hat. What’s bigger than a pig? A cow. It’s bigger than a boar or sow. It’s bigger yesterday and now. What’s bigger than a cow? A car. It’s bigger than a cow by far. Inside a car a cow can squeeze. And drive a pig to town with ease. What’s bigger than a car? A truck. A truck can haul a car that’s stuck, that’s stuck in all the mud—bad luck. What’s bigger than a truck? (p. 1-10)”
Steve Jenkins Author Presentation
Above is an author presentation that gives a quick preview of the creative and factual work of Steve Jenkins. He is a factual scientific children’s author who has several best sellers with amazing images and ways of depicting facts. A few ways you could use Steve Jenkin’s work in the classroom for science would be to learn about Beetles with his Beetle Book, measurements and true sizes of animals in Actual Size, and how to climb Mount Everest in The Top of the World: Climbing Mount Everest. Teaching these ideas could go with the science TEKS 10 in Kindergarten and 1st grade, 10.A in 2nd grade, and 7 in 3rd grade. These are just a few ways that Steve Jenkin’s books can be a great science tool in your classroom.
Snippet from Matilda by Roald Dahl
Matilda is a story of an independent and brilliant young heroine who uses brain power to stand up to the villainous adults in her life. I chose to feature this book because it reminds readers of the power they gain through knowledge but doesn’t fail to make them laugh along the way. Roald Dahl is an author I hope to introduce to my future students as his books helped me realize how much I love to read.
Just to give you a taste of what Matilda is all about, here’s a snippet from the first chapter :
“It’s a funny thing about mothers and fathers. Even when their own child is the most disgusting little blister you could ever imagine, they still think that he or she is wonderful.Some parents go further. They become so blinded by adoration they manage to convince themselves their child has qualities of genius.Well, there is nothing very wrong with all this. It’s the way of the world. It is only when the parents begin tellingus about the brilliance of their own revolting offspring, that we start shouting, ‘Bring us a basin! We’re going to be sick!’ Occasionally one comes across parents who take the opposite line, who show no interest at all in their children, and these of course are far worse than the doting ones. Mr and Mrs Wormwood were two such parents. They had a son called Michael and a daughter called Matilda, and the parents looked upon Matilda as nothing more than a scab. A scab is something you have to put up with until the time comes when you can pick it off and flick it away. Mr and Mrs Wormwood looked forward enormously to the time when they could pick their daughter off and flick her away, preferably into the next county or even further than that. It is bad enough when parents treat ordinary children as though they were scabs and bunions, but it becomes somehow a lot worse when the child in question is extraordinary, and by that I mean sensitive and brilliant. Matilda was both of these things, but above all she was brilliant.”