I Shared My Lesson!

Last week, I had the pleasure of going to Osceola County, FL with the American Federation of Teachers and First Book to present my work and help provide books to all of the kids there.  It was an incredible event, though typical of the great work AFT and First Book are doing all over the country.  Here's a video AFT made of it:

Did you hear the kids chanting "Dot-TY! Dot-TY!"? Too cool...

Anyway, while I was there I watched a presentation on the AFT's new site, Share My Lesson.  When I learned that it is available for anyone who works with kids to share resources, I got really excited.  What a cool thing for us authors that create teaching guides and materials!  So I jumped on and, yes, shared my lesson, including several resources for using When Life Gives You O.J. with 3rd-6th grade students and linking them to the Common Core standards.  And my plan is to do it again, and again, and again. 

You should, too.  And you heard it here first!

O.J. takes on DC

This morning, O.J. came downtown on the metro with me (we're skyping with Katie Davis later today).  O.J. was much admired by the one commuter who noticed he was there.  He said, and I quote, "You have a very well-behaved dog, young lady." 

The Book Report with Jarrett J. Krosoczka!

Hey, pals with newer cars than mine (and non-vehicle-based SiriusXM subscribers)! Today at 5:40 p.m., tune into The Book Report (on the Absolutely Mindy Show) and hear a familiar voice - mine!  If you know Jarrett, make that two familiar voices.  We'll be talking about books, First Book, chickens (NOT Chick-fil-A chickens, literary chickens), O.J., and more.

The best part is, Jarrett draws pictures of his guests (and makes them look even purdier than they are in real life - thanks, JJK!).

Climber, anyone?

Free to a good home in the Washington DC area. Needs a minor facelift, and you must carry away yourself (dismantle it or bring strong friends!)... first come, first serve.

Books to Kids in Hagerstown

I did three back to back school visits today in Hagerstown, MD with some fabulous kids, all thanks to the wonderful resourcefulness of Pat Wishard and her team at the Washington County Free Library. They brought me in, and also provided every child with a book to keep (First Book helped with this because all of the schools were Title I). Here are some pics of me with some of the kids, as well as what they were having for lunch (oh noooooo!). The pin I'm wearing is recycled plastic and was made by the art teacher and given to me (I am so honored)!