Chalk and Ink: The Podcast for Teachers Who Write and Writers Who Teach

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In today’s episode Sarah Aronson talks about the importance of embracing conversations, challenges, and community. Sarah's latest biography, Abzuglutely!, celebrates congresswoman, lawyer, and activist, Bella Abzug,  

Our next episode will feature Jen Ferguson. Jen’s latest novel, A Constellation of Minor Bears is a USA Today bestseller.

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Jen Malia and I talk about celebrating neurodiversity, identifying your audience, and writing on location.

Our next episode will feature Sarah Aronson. Sarah’s latest picture book biography, Abzuglutely! Battling, Bellowing, Bella Abzug released last month.

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A.S. King talks about her newest novel, Pick the Lock, ACES or adverse childhood experiences, and the importance of honesty and expression.

Our next episode will feature Jen Malia. Check out her chapter book series The Infinity Rainbow Club  to prep for our next episode. 

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Andrew Hacket, Ernesto Cisneros, Marcie Flinchum Atkins, Lisa Stringfellow, and Tina Athaide talk about creating classroom writing communities. In addition to their wonderful voices, authors Cindy Jenson-Elliott, Valerie Bolling, and Jody Little also contributed to this heartfelt discussion.

Our next episode will feature the only two-time winner of YALSA’s Michael L. Printz award, A.S. King. She’s as honest and kind in conversation as she is in her books. So be sure to join us again in two weeks. 

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I had a blast chatting with Ryan Bani Tahmaseb. We celebrate his debut picture book, Rostam’s Picture-Day Pusteen, and talk about collaborating, connecting with family, and leading with curiosity.

Click here by 11:30 AM EST on Sunday, September 22nd, to sign up to join our live chat with Andrew Hacket, Ernesto Cisneros, Lisa Stringfellow, Marcie Atkins and Tina Athaide. If you aren't able to join us, no worries. The recorded episode will release in two weeks.

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Debut author Josh Galarza talks about the importance of veracity, voice, and vulnerability in this episode, all of which are embedded into his heartfelt, hilarious, and heartbreaking debut, The Great Cool Ranch Dorito in the Sky. Let’s dig in.

Click here for the transcript.

Join Andrew Hacket, Ernesto Cisneros, Lisa Stringfellow, Marcie Atkins, and Tina Athaide to glean some tips to enrich your classroom writing community and for the chance to ask them questions about the craft of teaching writing. Don’t miss this priceless opportunity. Click here to sign up.

To prep for our next episode and for picture day, which is just around the corner, be sure to read Ryan Bani Tahmaseb’s debut picture book, Rostam’s Picture-Day Pusteen. 

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Chalk + Ink presents the top ten writer’s workshop tips for the 2024-2025 school year:

1. Choose Community Building Books
2. Partner with Families
3. Embrace Growth Mindset
4. Incorporate Multiple Entry Points
5. Use Art
6. Mimic Mentor Texts
7. Listening Is Key
8. Be Vulnerable
9. Have Fun and Celebrate
10. Believe

Join us in two weeks to hear from young adult author, Josh Galarza. If you, your students, or someone you love has ever suffered from disordered eating or struggled with body positivity, you have to read Josh’s debut, The Great Cool Ranch Dorito in the Sky. 

Sign up for the first celebratory Chalk + Ink Chat on Sunday, September 22nd at noon EST. Andrew Hacket, Lisa Stringfellow, Marcie Flinchum Atkins, Tina Athaide, and Ernesto Cisneros will talk about creating a community of writers in the classroom. Make sure to bring your questions so you can get the answers you need. 

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Tip Number 10: Tap Into Classroom Adventures

Tip Number 9: Head to the Library

Tip Number 8: Write from a Personal Place

Tip Number 7: Mine Memory Moments

Tip Number 6: Travel New Places

Tip Number 5: Take a Deep Dive When You Revise

Tip Number 4: Explore Outdoors

Tip Number 3: Find Nooks and Crannies

Tip Number 2: Learn and Collaborate

Tip Number 1: Celebrate and Create

I’m signing off for the summer to focus on revising. This episode has me ready to write, and I hope it’s done the same for you, too. If it has, please be sure to share this episode with someone who could use it,  write a review, and let me know which tip helped you out.

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On June 22nd, I will be participating in the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Out of the Darkness Overnight Walk in Boston. I will be walking 16 miles to raise money to stop suicide. If this podcast has been helpful to you in any way ever, if it has made you a better teacher or a better writer, or even brought a smile to your face, please click here if you’re reading the show notes or go to the show notes and click on the link to make a donation to stop suicide. 

This heartwarming episode is dedicated from Andrew and me in loving memory to Sergeant Patrick Clarke Cumming. Please listen to the end of the episode to find out more about this amazing young man.

During this episode, Andrew Hacket and I talk about stealing moments to write, giving back to the community and being true to ourselves. Let’s get started.

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Chloe Ito Ward talks about mining memory moments, authenticity, and celebrating the present.

For our next episode, please read debut author Andrew Hacket’s picture book Ollie the Acorn and the Mighty Idea which celebrates the power of kindness. If you happen to live in Massachusetts, Andrew has two launch events this weekend. On Saturday, April 13th, he’ll be at the Silver Unicorn in Acton at 11 AM. On Sunday, April 14th, he’s teaming up with Tidepool Bookshop and Overlook Farm in Rutland. He’ll be at Overlook Farm from 11-1 on Sunday.

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