Writing can be one of the most challenging experiences for adults and children alike. You have a blank page in front of you. Where do you begin? Learn about the ways some of your favorite stories came to be. We go behind the pages to learn about the author and inspiration from our favorite books.
M4M episodes are packed with mentor text mini-lessons ideas, inspirational author biographies, tips, and strategies you can take back to your students yourself...all while you enjoy your run or commute!
EP009: Watch the skies!- Teaching with author and birder...Heidi E.Y. Stemple!
Heidi E.Y. Stemple found a love for birds early in her childhood through her owling experiences. Today, Heidi has brought the beautiful world of backyard birds to the pages of her picture books capturing the diverse species of birds that grace our skies and terrains. Heidi shares tips for teaching supporting young children as they "watch the skies" and learn how to notice and care for their feathered neighbors. She shares her beautiful owling experiences with her father, which led her to create books we love to share with children today. Heidi's books are full of rich language and bird facts but packaged in vibrant illustrations and early childhood formats. Look for her newest release, Whose Nest is Best? in June 2022! Who doesn't love a durable board book, bedtime story, or lift the flap book?!
You don't have to be an expert to take that first step with your students to inspire future birders and help support local citizen science projects! Heidi shares technology resources, tips for getting started, and free guides for teachers to support them along the way! We discuss some simple first steps for using apps, picture books, and guides to teach young children bird identification and, more importantly, bird appreciation. It's time for you and your students to "find your bird"!
Mentor Texts Featured In This Episode:
Whose Nest is Best? by Heidi E.Y. Stemple (release date June 2022 ... I already reserved my copy...this book has flaps!)
You Nest Here with Me by Jane Yolen and Heidi E.Y. Stemple
Fly with Me: A Celebration of Birds through Pictures, Poems, and Stories by Jane Yolen, Heidi E.Y. Stemple, Adam Stemple, and Jason Stemple
Counting Birds: The Idea That Helped Save Our Feathered Friends by Heidi E.Y. Stemple
Owl Moon by Jane Yolen
Find out more about Heidi E.Y. Stemple and the resources mentioned in this episode by visiting:
Heidi E.Y. Stemple's website https://www.heidieystemple.com/
Heidi's teacher guide for Counting the Birds https://www.heidieystemple.com/downloadables/tg-counting-birds.pdf
Heidi's owling Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Owl-Count-527332320703345/
Heidi's professional Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/heidieystemple/
Heidi's Instagram account https://www.instagram.com/heidieys/?hl=en
Heidi's Twitter account https://twitter.com/heidieys
27 Feb 2020
EP008: The Complicated Man Under the Hat: Teaching Connections to Stories with Dr. Seuss
Looking to launch a Dr. Seuss author study? Sight words, themes, lessons, character studies, phonemic awareness... Dr. Seuss has books to support almost any reading goal! However, there is more to the man behind the Cat in the Hat than is popularly known. He led a complicated life with dueling sides to him which often came out in his characters' traits and plots. In many ways, Dr. Seuss was a paradox who created not only an imaginative world through his storytelling but also a world where his two sides could coexist. His plots helped him solve the issues he cared about in his world. He found art and storytelling as his way to let people know him, without them really being aware of it. This podcast talks about sensitive material from events in his life and is not for young children. While all the parts of his story may not yet be suitable for young ears, one huge part of his life is...your worries, troubles, problems, and complications can be the fuel for your passion and through writing, you can create a world where all these aspects can live together. Enjoy!
Get your free Dr. Seuss poem and resource sheet that are available now on TPT.
16 Dec 2019
EP007: Writing with "What if...What then?" Teaching from an Image with The Polar Express and Chris Van Allsburg
Take a ride on The Polar Express! This episode highlights Chris Van Allsburg's own journey creating The Polar Express. We also discuss the MANY ways this mentor text will enhance reading and writing workshop BEYOND the holidays! Do not pack this text up right before the holiday break! You are going to want to come back to this magical text again to bring fiction reading, writing, and illustrating mini-lessons to your workshop and read-aloud. There are so many ways this text can help readers grow. Happy Holidays! I hope you all enjoy your well deserved holiday break!
As always, you can download the FREE mentor text resource guide that accompanies this episode from The Mentor Texts 4 Munchkins Teachers Pay Teachers Store. Be sure to visit www.mentortexts4munchkins.com for more free resources and ideas.
30 Sept 2019
EP006: Three Charts to Start, Teach and Grow In Writing Workshop--Right Now!
Teachers, your writing routines are underway, now let's start the year off right with three charts you NEED right now and that will grow with your writers throughout the year! Start your workshop strong with these three anchor charts and mini lessons that can pull double duty in writing and reading workshop!
4 May 2019
EP005: Create a "Happily Ever After" end to the school year! Teaching with Fairy Tales Part 1
Spring fever hitting you and your students? Combat the end of the year craziness with unique units for reading and writing workshop that will keep your students engaged AND revisit many of the skills and strategies they have learned this year!
This is the first episode in the Happily Ever After School Year Series:
Part 1 Fairy Tales
There's a reason fairy tales are some of the most beloved stories of all time. They are strong in all of the fiction elements you have been focusing on all year! This study will bring magical growth as you revisit character traits, retelling, story elements and the recipe for a great fairy tale though variations, villain studies and even global fairy tale characters!
What's the secret to this unit's success? Background knowledge! We are taking a genre that students most likely have a plethora of background knowledge about and applying it to all the important parts that make up a story and a fabulous retelling!
Get ready for a fun celebration and a magical end to your school year! Grab your resources @ www.mentortexts4munchkins.com/podcast
Stay tuned more ideas for a happy ending to your school year throughout this series!
15 Apr 2019
EP004: Start with a Wish! Teaching Fiction Writing with Daniel Pinkwater and The Big Orange Splot
The Big Orange Splot by Daniel Manus Pinkwater brings us to the border where fiction and fantasy meet. Hear words of inspiration from Daniel Pinkwater and ask yourself the question that lies at the heart of fiction. We will also share mini lesson ideas for reading and writing workshop that can be shared through this must-have, timeless story!
17 Nov 2018
EP003: Words are Powerful! Teaching Emergent Readers and Writers with No, David!
No, David by David Shannon and other books in the David series are a huge hit with young readers! This podcast focuses on how to go deeper in your workshop and read-alouds with the No, David! series. We will explore ways to support and inspire emergent readers and writers as well as English Language Learners with a focus on the art of storytelling, choosing words and packing more into our illustrations and publishing! Plus David Shannon's inspiration for his character David is sure to resonate with your munchkins! Get your tape ready because these books are going to be a hit in your young readers' and writers' hands!
17 Nov 2018
EP001: How You Can Use This Podcast for Inspiration and to Save Planning Time!
The Mentor Texts 4 Munchkins podcast is for parents, teachers, librarians or anyone looking to learn more about great children's picture books! Save time planning lessons or researching by exploring mini lesson ideas, read-aloud tips and the "stories behind the stories" of great children's books for you to bring back to your youngest readers and writers in the classroom or at home!
12 Sept 2018
EP002: Memories are Stories! Beyond Back to School Teaching with The Kissing Hand
Learn the story behind the back to school classic, The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn. This podcast includes ways to use this classic tale beyond the first week of school for mini lessons for reading and writing workshop to inspire your young readers throughout the year!
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