I create Discussion and Activity Guides for children's books. My over 35 years in the classroom has given me the experience to know just what an educator needs in a guide...engaging, lively, entertaining, solid content connecting the child with the spirit of the book while meeting the academic rigors of teaching in today's educational system.
Good guides keep your books prominent in the teacher's mind and alive in the young reader's heart.
I've earned my MFA from Vermont College of Fine Arts in Writing for Children and Young Adults. At the University of Texas at Dallas my studies centered around educational techniques and strategies designed to teach special needs students. Professionally, I have spent the majority of my teaching career practicing the Montessori Method of instruction, which incorporates sensory, cross-curricular, manipulative learning experiences. As an educational consultant I designed countless lessons for students of all ages, correlating each with state academic standards.
In short, I know how to assure that your book will connect with kids and the classroom while having a good time doing so!
Samples:
PICTURE BOOKS
Dance, Y'all, Dance by Kelly Bennett, illustrated by Terri Murphy - Guide
Your Mommy Was Just Like You and Your Daddy Was Just Like You (Joint Guide) by Kelly Bennett, illustrated by David Walker - Guide
Your Daddy Was Just Like You by Kelly Bennett, illustrated by David Walker - Guide
Around Our Way on Nieghbor's Day by Tameka Fryer Brown - Guide
Ellen's Broom by Kelly Starling Lyons - Discussion/Activity Guide and Reader's Theatre Script
Little Lions, Bull Baiters & Hunting Hounds and Harness Horses, Bucking Broncos & Pit Ponies (Joint Guide) by Jeff Crosby and Shelley Ann Jackson - Cross-Curricular Research Guide
One Day I Went Rambling by Kelly Bennett, illustrated by Terri Murphy - Discussion/Activity Guide and Reader's Theatre Script
Snuggle Mountain by Lindsey Lane, illustrated by Melissa Iwai - 6 + 1 Traits Guide
It Jes' Happened: When Bill Traylor Started to Draw by Don Tate, illustrated by R. Gregory Christie - An Activity Guide
Who's Faster? Animals on the Move by Eileen Meyer, illustrated by Connie Bergum - A CCSSI Annotated Activity Guide
Tea Cakes for Tosh by Kelly Starling Lyons, illustrated by E. B. Lewis
Let's Hear It For Almigal by Wendy Kupfer, illustrated by Tamie Lyon - A CCSSI Annotated Discussion/Activity Guide and a Study of the Ear, Sound Transfer, and Cochlear Implants
Noah Webster & His Words by Jeri Chase Ferris, illustrated by Vincent X. Kirsch - A Discussion and Activity Guide
Hope's Gift by Kelly Starling Lyons, illustrated by Don Tate - A CCSS Annotated Discussion and Activity Guide
my cold plum lemon pie bluesy mood by Tameka Fryer Brown, illustrated by Shane Evans - A CCSS Annotated Discussion and Activity Guide
The Poppy Lady by Barbara Elizabeth Walsh, illustrated by Layne Johnson - A CCSS Annotated Discussion and Activity Guide
Doggone Feet! by Leslie Helacoski - A CCSS Annotated Discussion and Activity Guide
Cowboy Up! by Nancy Bo Flood - A CCSS Educational Activity Guide
Vampire Baby by Kelly Bennett - A CCSS Annotated Discussion and Activity Guide
CHAPTER BOOKS:
Princess Posey and the First Grade Parade by Stephanie Greene, illustrated by Stephanie Roth Sisson - Teacher Guide
Princess Posey and the Perfect Present by Stephanie Greene, illustrated by Stephanie Roth Sisson - Teacher Guide
Princess Posey and the Next Door Dog by Stephanie Greene, illustrated by Stephanie Roth Sisson - Teacher Guide
Splurch Academy: The Rat Brain Fiasco by Julie Berry - Plot Point Game and Game Board
Princess Posey and the Monster Stew by Stephanie Greene, Illustrated by Stephanie Roth Sisson - Teacher Activity Guide
Princess Posey and the Tiny Treasure by Stephanie Greene, Illustrated by Stephanie Roth Sisson - A CCSS Annotated Discussion and Activity Guide
MIDDLE GRADE NOVELS
Truth With a Capital T by Bethany Hegedus - Teacher's Activity Guide
Fiona Finklestein: Big-Time Ballerina by Shawn Stout - Guide
Emma and the Civil Soldier by Candy Dahl - Guide
Road to Tater Hill by Edith Hemmingway - Guide
The Other Felix by Kier Graff - Guide
Penelope Crumb by Shawn Stout - A CCSS Annotated Educational Activity Guide
Call Me Oklahoma by Miriam Glassman - A CCSS Annotated Educational Activity Guide
Lara's Gift by Annemarie O-Brien - A CCSS Annotated Discussion and Activity Guide
Chained by Lynne Kelly - A CCSS Annotated Discussion and Activity Guide
Lara's Gift by Annemarie O'Brien - A CCSS Annotated Discussion and Activity Guide
YOUNG ADULT
How Not to Be Popular by Jennifer Ziegler - Reader's Guide and Conversation with the Author
Jumped by Rita Williams Garcia - Guide
The Ballad of Jessie Pearl by Shannon Hitchcock - A CCSSI Annotated Discussion and Activity Guide
Sirens by Janet Fox - A CCSS Annotated Discussion and Activity Guide
NON-FICTION
Sand to Stone and Back Again by Nancy Bo Flood - Activity Guide
Get Organized Without Losing It by Janet Fox - Card Game
Prairie Storms by Darcy Pattison - Monthly Lesson Plans
Water Power by Patricia Newman - A CCSS Annotated Discussion and Activity Guide
BioFuels by Patricia Newman - A CCSS Annotated Discussion and Activity Guide
Who's Faster? Animals on the Move by Eileen Meyer, illustrated by Connie Bergum - A CCSSI Annotated Activity Guide
Little Lions, Bull Baiters & Hunting Hounds and Harness Horses, Bucking Broncos & Pit Ponies (Joint Guide) by Jeff Crosby and Shelley Ann Jackson - Cross-Curricular Research Guide
READERS' THEATRE PRESENTATIONS
Texas Library Reading Club 2011 published by the The Library Division of the Texas State Library's Archive Division
ACADEMIC ANNOTATIONS
Truth With a Capital T by Bethany Hegedus - Teacher's Activity Guide
How How Not to Be Popular by Jennifer Ziegler - Reader's Guide
Noah Webster & His Words by Jeri Chase Ferris, illustrated by Vincent X. Kirsch - A Discussion and Activity Guide
Who's Faster? Animals on the Move by Eileen Meyer, illustrated by Connie Bergum - A CCSSI Annotated Activity Guide
Three State Academic Standards Content Correlation
Academic Standards Documentation
Texas Academic Standards for Spelling Under Scrutiny and Switched on to Spelling by Joy Allcock
School Visit CCSSI Annotations for Eileen Meyer
Let's Hear It For Almigal by Wendy Kupfer, illustrated by Tamie Lyon - A CCSSI Annotated Discussion/Activity Guide and a Study of the Ear, Sound Transfer, and Cochlear Implants
The Ballad of Jessie Pearl by Shannon Hitchcock - A CCSSI Annotated Discussion and Activity Guide
POETRY
AMS Fall 2010 Conference Handout: Poetic Magic