I want to bring Allan Wolf to my school-his energy and enthusiasm are catching. Not only is he is a great writer who can discuss all the books he’s written for kids and...
One of my favorite games growing up was “Mother, May I” where participants took turns asking the “Mother” if s/he could step forward in a certain style (ballet twirl, giant...
Ilsa Bick is the definition of cool; she’s ex-air force and knows how to survive in the wilderness, is a child psychiatrist by day, and has written 15 books in her “spare...
I always strive to come up with unique activities for teaching academic vocabulary. When vocabulary instruction becomes redundant, students tend to check out. Practice...
I have been a huge Jack Gantos fan for many years now, and so I am thrilled that he won the 2011 Newbery Award for his latest novel (and pseudo memoir) Dead End in Norvelt.
Ned Vizzini is a literary rockstar; his three books are HUGE! His first book, It’s Kind of a Funny Story, was just released as a movie, Be More Chill was a Today Show book...
I propose to get great words at the front of our and our students’ brains (and tongues) by participating in this fun and easy activity. The Word for That Vocabulary Activity...
I was so excited when I learned that Ally Condie was coming to St. Louis, as I loved her book Matched and couldn’t wait to read its sequel, Crossed. Ally Condie did not...
Sara Zarr is AWESOME! I interviewed her in St. Louis and then saw her at NCTE and she was so cool-she introduced me to her husband, and we chatted for a few moments. Our...
What is a sure fire way to get students excited about vocabulary? Ask them to come up with a fun name for a brand new car. Car names can be vocabulary words! I will never...
Have you ever noticed how many vocabulary words are in brands? Every year, my kids will walk up to me with a blank CD, DVD or jump drive and say, “Hey Ms. Ressler-it says...
This vocabulary activity works for all ages, because who doesn't love to color? At the mention of coloring my sophomores light up like kindergarteners at snack time. The...