Mid-Winter Crochet Club!

Hello,

You may recall reading in my blog a couple of years ago about how I taught my fourth grade students how to crochet and combined that with literacy.  It was so successful, that I continued the lesson the following year with my group of third and fourth graders. 

Now that I have left the classroom to tutor and write fulltime, I can offer crochet classes during the school breaks.  I taught two sessions over the past holiday season and it was quite successful.  Everyone had a great time and learned the basics to make coasters, hats, and scarves!  We sat around the fire, listened to holiday music and read holiday picture books.  Oh, and I mustn’t forget the yummy hot cocoa and snacks, too!

My next crochet session is coming up soon.

Here is the flyer with all the information.

As you can see, even Sleepy Bear and Moosey-Moose benefit from the crochet club!  Sleepy Bear is loving his new hat that I let him borrow.  And Moosey-Moose loves his shoes – but he lost one in the snow!  Maybe a student will crochet him a new pair!

Tell your friends and sign up early.  I look forward to seeing you over the mid-winter break.

Happy Reading and Crocheting,

Kathleen

Children, Theater, Travel, Writing, Oh My!

Hello,

I hope your new year is of go a fabulous beginning!  Mine is zipping along at a good clip, but it’s all good. 

I have been very busy acting as Sleepy Bear’s assistant and chaperone.  As you might already know, he has been acting as a contributing blogger for the Seattle Public Theater and Broadway Bound Children’s Theater.  He thoroughly enjoys visiting the kids during their rehearsals and then watching in the audience their opening night performance.  Sleepy Bear is learning so much about what goes on behind the scenes and he loves sharing his experiences with his readers.  I invite you to visit his blog to read his latest show.

Moosey-Moose returned from his travels in France and is now chompin’ at the bit to get going again.  Except, he doesn’t know where to go!  If you have suggestions, please write to him and let him know.  In the meantime, he’s also busy writing his chapter book for kids.  He has writer’s block right now and is stuck on some plot points.  He has asked me to help him out.  Greeeaat!  I get to do all the hard parts.  Well, luckily for me, Moosey-Moose is tons of fun to work with so I don’t mind.

When I’m not acting as chaperone or ghost writer, I’m busy tutoring kids in elementary and middle school, tap dancing, crocheting, taking my puppy for walks and training sessions, and enjoying free time with my husband.

Happy Reading!

Kathleen

Student Recommended Reading

Hello,

Once again one of my students has written a wonderful book recommendation. The book is NEEDLE AND THREAD by Ann M. Martin.  This is the second book in the Main Street series.  Girls ages 8 – 12 thoroughly enjoy reading about Ruby and Flora.  If you were a fan of The Boxcar Children, then you’ll love Main Street, too.

Here is what Kyra has to say about NEEDLE AND THREAD:

Kyra, very nicely written.  I can’t wait to find out what happens in book #3.

Happy Reading,

Kathleen

Sleepy Bear Collaborates With Seattle Public Theater

Hello,

I want to help pass on the word that Sleepy Bear has been invited to write as a contributing blogger for the Seattle Public Theater Youth Programs.  He gets to visit the rehearsals for the youth productions and then he sees the shows and writes about them.  So are he has seen ZOMBIE CAESAR and BOOK OF DAYS.  If you want to read more visit Sleepy Bear’s blog at http://SleepyBearWrites.blogspot.com

Happy Reading,

Kathleen

Student Book Recommendations

Hello,

Here is another book recommendation from one of my students.

As you can see, Kyra did a fine job of summarizing PLEASING THE GHOST, giving her own connection to the book, and a hook to help the reader in selecting this story to read.  Great job, Kyra!

Happy Reading,

Kathleen

The New School Year

Hello,

I hope everyone is off to a great start to the new school year.

My "school year" is speeding by fast.  Although I'm no longer teaching in the classroom, I am tutoring full-time while I work on writing my books for children and assisting Sleepy Bear and Moosey-Moose with their blogs.  If you follow them, you already know that Sleepy Bear is ready to select a new book for his online book club.  I encourage you to submit ideas from your kids.  Sleepy Bear is very good about responding personally to his fans.  And, Moosey-Moose recently returned from his travel adventure in France!  Lucky me, I was his chaperone.  Yes, it's a tough job but someone needs to keep tabs on Moosey-Moose!

As always, I look forward to reading your comments and suggestions.


Happy Reading,


Kathleen

Student Book Recommendations

Hello,

Is summer flying by fast as fast for you as it is for me? The new school year is just around the corner and there are still so many books to read. How can you possibly choose which ones to read first! To help decide I would like to share with you two recommendations from my students who I privately tutor.

The first book is, IT'S RAINING CUPCAKES by Lisa Schroeder:

The second book is NANCY DREW AND THE CLUE CREW by Carolyn Keene:

Hopefully these will spark an interest in your child and keep them reading through the end of summer and beyond. I will continue to post student recommendations so be sure to check back often. If you or your child has a book you would like to share with me, please leave a comment on my blog or send me an e-mail and I will personally respond.

Happy Reading,


Kathleen