I’m recently back from presenting a school inservice and an author day at the Kateri School in the Kahnawake Mohawk Reservation in Quebec.  Second graders in Ms Fran’s class created a stunning welcome banner  — my first in the Mohawk language.  I just have to share:

 In other news, in my Monday Mini-Lesson Newsletter (February 22 — see all archived newsletters to the right) I stressed the importance of modeling writing for students.  Danielle Hamblin, principal of the Central School in Great Meadows, NJ is keeping a blog documenting her training to prepare for a Grand Canyon hiking trip in support of Leukemia/Lymphoma.  She forwards the blog to students in Great Meadows and Allachumy so they can assess her writing!  (I know she’s scoring well when it comes to quality details!)  Check out Danielle’s progress at:

http://pages.teamintraining.org/nj/gahike10/dhamblin

http://grandcanyonbound2010.blogspot.com/

 And finally, author Toni Buzzeo has a new book out:  

She’s inviting students in grades PreK -6 to enter a writing contest based on the cover of her book, No T-Rex in the Library.  You can read more about the contest (and possibly win a free half-hour Skype session with Toni Buzzeo!) here: www.Tonibuzzeo.com.  Hurry, the deadline is Friday,  March 12.