Please welcome guest author, Kay Winters. Many of you will remember the interview with her last fall--it's in my archives 10/12/09 and her Halloween book: Whooo's That?
Kay has a new book that will be released tomorrow, July 8th, and it's perfect for the Creative Write and Playshop for the school years. Here's what Kay has to say about the writing of the book, and she's even given us a writing prompt that we can use as a fun brainstorming exercise for writing a story or for conjuring up some forgotten school memories.
Kay has a new book that will be released tomorrow, July 8th, and it's perfect for the Creative Write and Playshop for the school years. Here's what Kay has to say about the writing of the book, and she's even given us a writing prompt that we can use as a fun brainstorming exercise for writing a story or for conjuring up some forgotten school memories.
I wrote This School Year Will be the BEST http://amzn.to/dmWyO2 because as a former teacher now children's book author, I wanted to do a book which celebrates school. So many children love so many things about school, and yet we constantly hear/read books about kids being scared to go or disliking the teacher or thinking that school stinks. I also wanted to do a book which teachers could use as a jumping off place for students sharing their own ideas.
If the teacher shows the exaggerated pictures and reads. . .
I hope I get the best seat on the bus. . .
This year I will be taller. . .
I'll look good in my school picture. . .
and then encourages the children to write what would make this year the best for them, and illustrate it in a humorous way. . .Voila. . . an immediate bulletin board! And a very positive way to start the year.
[Parents, this would be a fun summer project to do with your kids to get them away from you know what! Do it along with them. I'm sure kids would love to see what YOU were up to in those back to school days.]
[Parents, this would be a fun summer project to do with your kids to get them away from you know what! Do it along with them. I'm sure kids would love to see what YOU were up to in those back to school days.]
So for teachers and students [and writers] everywhere, let's hope this school year Will BE the BEST!
Excerpt from the book to give you more ideas. . . When the nurse measures, I'll be taller.
This year I'll kick the soccer ball into the right goal.
I'll get the BEST seat on the bus.
I hope I won't be a vegetable in the school play!
Learn more about Kay at http://www.kaywinters.com Kay loves to do school visits, too!
Thanks, Kay, for dropping by! You've inspired me. Gotta go grab my notebook and start scribbling. . .
Dear Readers,
Kay and I would love to hear thoughts about your school years! Please leave a happy comment about one thing that was BEST about your elementary school days. Thanks so much!
Learn more about Kay at http://www.kaywinters.com Kay loves to do school visits, too!
Thanks, Kay, for dropping by! You've inspired me. Gotta go grab my notebook and start scribbling. . .
Dear Readers,
Kay and I would love to hear thoughts about your school years! Please leave a happy comment about one thing that was BEST about your elementary school days. Thanks so much!
What a great idea for a book. Makes me wish I was still in the elementary classroom, but I would still love to share it with my stepson. Anyway, a good memory of mine--I remember in 3rd grade when I won a spelling bee in my classroom, my prize was a little ceramic heart (that you could put jewelry in) that my teacher made. I think it is still at my parents' house somewhere! I also remember my room was the only one with carpeting. What a good year.
ReplyDeleteMargo
http://margodill.com/blog/
Oh, Margo, I love your 3rd grade memory! 3rd grade was a good year for me,too, but I certainly can't beat that ceramic heart!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite memory of school was science class. I was lucky enough to be exposed to several teachers who loved science! I remember doing big projects on what is found in a pond, learning all 206 bones, and playing Scholastic Showdown with science (that was in the days before Jeopardy). Maybe that's why I love science so much now -- and am a middle school science teacher myself.
ReplyDeleteKudos to Kay for writing a great book about school!
What a good idea. We all say we hate school, only to look back on the years with affection.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by, Jennifer! You'll have to stop by my pond some day. . .When we're out in the boat, we always think about how much life there is in and around the water.
ReplyDeleteHi Louise! Thanks so much for stopping by. It's true that as time passes we have more affection for school days. It's nice to be reminded of some of the things that were so important to us as we were growing up.
ReplyDeleteFavorite memories include riding my bike home for lunch and walking on the secret path behind the school. Also sitting on top of the metal monkey bars in the playground, surveying my land. And then there was old Mrs. Babcock, who used to come around with her little wooden donkey on wheels and give out cherry candies once a year. You could only take one, and you had to be very polite and say thank you, Mrs. Babcock.
ReplyDeleteThanks for a look at Kay's new book!
Oh, Toby, I want a Mrs. Babcock with her little wooden donkey on wheels giving out cherry candies! What a great memory. So storybook!
ReplyDeleteOne of the most memorable moments in elementary school was when I jumped rope 414 times at recess! I loved walking home with my friend, Kristi. One route was controlled by Mrs. Potato Head, we imagined, and if we displeased her our potatoes at dinner would be cold; the other route was ruled by Mr. Potato Head who had the power to make our potatoes too hot. I've seen Kay's book and it's absolutely spectacular! A real "Kay" classic.
ReplyDeleteI am in Kay's writers group and I would just like to say she is one of the hardest working writers I know. She works and works and works until she gets a book just right and then it is a winner, like this one! I can't wait to own my very own copy, and then give it away to all my great nieces and nephews. Yay, Kay!
ReplyDeleteI love your Mr & Mrs. Potato Head stories, Pamela, and your wonderful imagination!
ReplyDeleteI want to see this book in the hands of my great nephews,too,Deb! Kay has a special talent and she really understands the psyche of kids! Ditto your Yay, Kay!
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite school times was when Mrs. Schultz( 3rd grade) read to us . Every day after recess we listened to so many wonderful stories- Rabbit Hill and Charlotte's Web. Guess that's why I just love to read!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful teacher, Susan. My third grade teacher read to us, too. I especially remember the story of Squanto. We didn't have a library in the school then, but she let me borrow the book so I could read it again at home.
ReplyDeleteTerrific post! I remember elementary school fondly, especially my 2nd grade teacher, Mrs. Brand.
ReplyDeleteThanks for dropping by, Donna! I'm glad you had a nice 2nd grade teacher. My 2nd grade teacher was mean, and for some strange reason I would wake up every school morning feeling a little bit sick to my stomach!
ReplyDeleteI liked to draw and I remember drawing an Indian village in the 4th grade that was displayed on the classroom wall. Years later I saw my grade school principal and she surprised me by remembering it and commenting on the drawing. And I loved being a patrol in the 6th grade and going on the patrol trip to Washington, DC. And I remember the cafeteria food (fortunately, most of it was very good). The principal always made us at least taste everything on our tray before excusing us to the playground.
ReplyDeleteI love the story about your Indian Village, Janet, and how after so many years, your grade school principal remembered your drawing. Do you still have it? How fun if you could share it on your blog!
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, Clara, I don't have it. As a matter of fact, I think she told me she kept it. She passed on quite a few years ago and I don't know what ever happened to the picture.
ReplyDeleteJanet--It must have been a really extraordinary drawing for your principal to keep it. Sometimes, looking back, there are a lot of projects I did in school that I wished I had kept like more of my drawings from grade school.
ReplyDeleteKay is a great writer. Her books are always wonderful.
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