Keithbooks.com -- For Teachers

For Teachers

Creative Writing

Are you teaching young students creative writing? I have had great success using The Art of Teaching Writing by Lucy Calkins, and consider this the “go-to” book to read when designing a creative writing curriculum.

The Art of Teaching Reading by Calkins is another absolute favorite of mine. Of course, Calkins’ style may not work for everyone, but I have found both books of great use. Scroll down on this page for a list of more books by Lucy Calkins.

School Visits

I am in the States every year visiting family and friends across the country and I am sometimes available to give an author presentation for a school.

My main presentation teaches kids creative writing by comparing techniques of telling stories through photos (ie, film) and telling stories with words. I have found children ages 8-12 understand it well and take away new writing skills. A behind-the-scenes presentation on book production from writing the manuscript to the final product with art and flap copy is also possible. That highlights all of the professions involved in the publishing industry and how being a writer is only one of many jobs you could hold and still be involved in the creation of books. A love of books is always a part of my presentations.

In November 2009 and April/May 2010, I may be visiting one or more of the following regions: Seattle, San Francisco, Chicago, New Orleans, Washington DC, New York, northern New Jersey, CT, MA, and VT. Please email Teachers ("at") Keithbooks ("dot") com with the subject line School Visits for information on presentations and costs.

Discussion And Curriculum Guides

One curriculum specialist I know at an elementary school is reading The Witch’s Guide to Cooking with Children with third graders. As the author, I believe third and fourth grade are both great matches for the book, depending on your students. I have heard stories from parents of fifth and sixth graders who loved the book too. Hmm... I guess trying to peg age limits simply does not make sense, fifth and sixth grades might be excellent for the book. I would love to hear from teachers who read the book in class or have individual students reading it. What discussions emerge from the book? To help, here are a huge range of lesson plans and a discussion guide that teachers can use together with The Witch’s Guide to Cooking with Children. The guide was prepared by Susan Geye, the library media specialist at Summer Creek Middle School in Fort Worth, Texas. It is really amazing. Thanks, Susan!

Hansel And Gretel

Looking for some Hansel and Gretel ideas? Different versions of Hansel and Gretel have been published over the years in different languages.

There is the well-known 1857 Hansel and Gretel by the Brothers Grimm. But there is also Nennillo and Nennella by Giambattista Basile, an Italian version written, I believe, in the 1630s, almost two hundred years earlier than Hansel and Gretel. Hop O’ My Thumb (late 1600s from France) also has children abandoned by their parents. In this version it is the father’s idea.

Here is the website which has the text of many other folktales similar to Hansel and Gretel. (Please note that I have not fact-checked this website and cannot guarantee that the dates, text, or attributions are accurate.)

There is also the original version of Hansel and Gretel written by the Brothers Grimm in 1812. The 1812 version and the 1857 version are given side by side here. Interestingly, in the first version, Hansel and Gretel live with their real parents. Later, Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm changed the mother character into a stepmother. I would love to hear what third and fourth graders think of such a change and why they think it was made.

For the text of most of the Brothers Grimm folktales in English and German, try here.