Category Archives: author events

New Tools for Teachers (for Salamander Sky and beyond)


I had the lovely opportunity to present to an inspiring, passionate group of educators and children’s book authors yesterday morning at the amazing Bear Pond Books. They came out to my workshop called Picture Books and Project Based Learning. It focused on how teachers can use picture books as a launching pad for engaging, exciting project based learning experiences with their students.

For the workshop and beyond, I created two new resources. One, is an Educator’s Guide to Project Based Learning. This resource details the science themes and the Next Generation Science Standards that can be met from the concepts presented in Salamander Sky, and a discussion guide with activities for pre-reading, during reading, and post reading, as well as additional media that can support learning.

For those teachers focused on project based learning, I created this website that features each stage of project based learning with ideas for how Salamander Sky can guide and inspire these projects. There are so many ways students can share their learning, tell a science story, and create original works that benefit the community and world.

Please feel free to be in touch with questions, ideas, or to share what you are up to with students!

 

Spreading Salamander Love: Tales from the Salamander Sky book tour

It’s been a whirlwind since one nor’easter after another and the release date of Salamander Sky on March 9th, 2018. I waited with baited breath to see if we would have books in time for the launch and just barely in time they came– to the lovely Bear Pond books!

North Branch Nature Center, Montpelier

March 10th, 2018:

The book tour started with a bang with a standing room only crowd at the North Branch Nature Center.  It was an all ages group that came out to celebrate salamanders, nature, and our new picture book, Salamander Sky.  The event had a book talk and reading, presentations from two naturalists, hands on stations for kids, and large, gorgeous salamander cookies. Kids large and small were introduced to the beautiful spotted salamander, and promised to look out for this delightful creature this spring.

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The Nature Museum Salamander Sky Presentation

How is it that I had never visited gorgeous little Grafton Vermont, in my almost 20 years of living here?I stepped out of the car and heard one of my favorite sounds…a red winged blackbird calling in the sun. Konk-la-ree! The sun beamed down on the white, quintessential Vermont buildings. I walked toward the The Nature Museum, and stopped at the entrance. This place is straight out of a nature lover’s dream.

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