Free

So sorry I haven't posted in a while.  Have been so busy with...well, everything!  If you would like to have your class Skype with me, please send me a message.  Also, if your school is on Long Island or in Brooklyn and would like to have a FREE presentations, just let me know.  Also, check out my free "Close Reading" lesson on the Teachers Pay Teachers site.  :)

Cherry Lane Elementary School, Carle Place

Just came home from a book signing at Cherry Lane Elementary School in Carle Place, LI.  I met so many wonderful children, parents, teachers, a great principal....and a very helpful custodian!  Hope to visit them again someday soon.

AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATOR NIGHT AT HARDING AVENUE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, 5/8/15

           Here are a few photographs from Author/Illustrator Night.  Everyone who attended enjoyed this event...especially the students!  Now they have many wonderful new books to enjoy!  Happy reading!

 

  
                                         

Author/Illustrator Night at West Gates!

On, Thursday, April 20th, I met so many wonderful students at West Gates Elementary School in Lindenhurst.  I enjoyed hearing the students talk about how much they enjoyed listening to my book when their teachers read it to them.  I encouraged them to write each of their family's special stories down.  Maybe someday I will read them in a book!

Weird Al Yankovic!

On, Monday, April 23rd, four of my wonderful students, Mia Hennig, Michaella Jashyn, Cayeigh McEntee, and Abby Johnson, had the unique opportunity to interview Weird Al Yankovic.  He is a remarkable man!  Did you know that he started kindergarten a year early,  skipped 2nd grade, and was valedictorian of his class at the age of 16?  He graduated college with a degree in architecture.  Impressive!!!  His parodies are quite humorous.  My favorite is funny and educational, check out "Word Crimes."

The Voracious Reader in Larchmont

I met some special young readers at The Voracious Reader in Larchmont today.  What a wonderful bookstore with a great selection on children's books and the best, most natural ice cream on the east coast!  A special "thank you" to Francine and Melissa for inviting me as a guest author.  "Thank you" to Chris for telling Francine about Sofia's Stoop Story!  I had a most enjoyable day in a lovely little town.

 

The Galley Bay Resort, Antigua...Paradise found!

If you are looking for a great place to relax and enjoy the water, food, and service....this place is for you.  Only 98 rooms and 230 employees to pamper you.  Galley Bay Resort is paradise!!!

@SkypeClassroom

Thanks to SkypeClassroom program, I introduced Ms. Riggs class in Philadelphia, PA to Mrs. Grasso's class in Lindenhurst, NY.  I read Sofia's Stoop Story:  18th Street, Brooklyn to both classes simultaneously.  All students learned how to say meat-a-balls like my Italian grandmother did.  Then students from each class asked me questions.  They also asked each other questions.  It was like a field trip without the long bus ride.  LOL  They all enjoyed it!  And so did I!!!

Kira Kosarin, aka Phoebe Thunderman

My fourth grade students are "Kidsday" reporters.  They are all working on puzzles which will be in the newspaper in August.  Yesterday, I received and urgent call from Pat Mullooly.  He informed me that he set up an interview with Kira Kosarin who plays Phoebe on the Thundermans TV show.  How exciting!  Then he told me that the interview was scheduled for today.  I had less than 24 hours to make arrangements.  I asked our principal, who called the Superintendent, who contacted The Board of Education to get permission.  Then we chose four students from those who already did their assignments, from a hat.  I had to call each parent to get permission, write up a permission slip, check the LIRR train schedule...and tell the students.  Needless to say they were overjoyed....hugging me, jumping up and down.  Then, I received a call at 5:30am that school would be closed due to snow.  Oh, no!!!  Why did it have to snow so much today.  Our interview was cancelled.  We are all so disappointed that we could not meet the very talented Kira Kosarin.  Maybe we will have an opportunity another day.

Author/Illustrator Night At JFK Intermediate School in Deer Park

I met many wonderful students, parents, and teachers tonight.  I always love to
talk about my book and encourage students and adults to write their families'
favorite stories down.  Maybe I will read them in published books one day!

International Literacy Association's Reading Today

Sofia's Stoop Story made the Jan./Feb. issue of Reading Today!

As you may know, the International Reading Association recently changed its name to the International Literacy Association.  Tonight, I sat down on my couch to read the first issue announcing the new name.  As always, it contains interesting articles.  On page 46, the Member Spotlight page, lists Career accomplishments from ILA's valued members.  And right there, amongst several award winning teachers is the only book....YES, it is Sofia's Stoop Story!!!  I'm so excited.  Uncle Frankie must be smiling up in heaven right now.

It's been a while...

So sorry has been a while since I have posted.  I could give you a hundred reasons why, but I won't.  However, I do want to share two school visits.  One was at the only elementary school at Ocean Beach on Fire Island, Long Island, NY.  There are a total of 36 students in the school and the principal is also the superintendent.  The classes are multi-grade classes with approximately 8 students in each class.  Everyone was so warm and welcoming.  I would love to teach there...no, I take that back...I would really LOVE to be a student there!  I was picked up at the Captree Boat Basin by a wonderful "bus" driver in a 4WD SUV.  We rode along a narrow road and also on the beach.  He made a couple of stops along the way to pick up one student's laptop and another student's instrument from their homes.  What service!  What an experience for me!

I also visited a school on the bay in Wantagh.  I was invited by my friend's daughter, Mary.  This was another unique experience because Mary is in a multi-age classroom.  There are 75 students in the program, 25 in each class made up of first, second, and third grade students.  They were all attentive and polite.  They seemed to enjoy Sofia's Stoop Story and had wonderful questions for me.  They especially loved talking with an Italian accent just like my Nana did.  "Meat-a-ball!"