As of mid-April 2009, here are the top five visited posts for Patricia McKissack’s Writer’s Workshop Blog, Can You Imagine?

5.  Summer Book Recommendations

4.  2008 Winter Holidays Around the World Workshop

3.  ‘Tis the Season…

2.  pics to post, question to answer

1.  Citizenship & The Constitution

Today Patricia McKissack’s videoconference with Wyland Elementary had monsters! Leprechauns!

The students in Stacey Wilson’s class took turns sharing their work with Mrs. McKissack, and she offered feedback and praise on the writing. Being that we connected on March 17, it was only appropriate a guy dressed in green- a leprechaun if you will- pop into class and visit the kids during the videoconference. That was only a momentary distraction, and the kids got back on target right away. This program wrapped up the three part series. After the students have revised their work, they will share the final product with Mrs. McKissack.

Mrs. McKissack presents to Wyland Elementary students

Tomorrow St. Louis author Patricia McKissack will have her third New Links to New Learning videoconference connection with Stacy Wilson’s students at Wyland Elementary. Stacy reports the creative writing is going well: “They are doing a great job with it. I am going to have all of the students make a class book with their writing.” We’re looking forward to reading it!

This videoconference series wraps up Pat’s 2008-09 schedule.

Today Pat McKissack had the pleasure of hearing the written work of Cynthia Kammien’s students. Here are a few snapshots of the videoconference. Later this month, she’ll work with another group from the Ritenour School District on their Creative Writing.

This Thursday, Pat McKissack will connect to the kids at Ritenour for their final Creative Writing session (the previously scheduled videoconference was postponed to due bad weather). In this session the students will share their writing with Pat and she’d give them feedback on their work. The district is already signed up for another round this spring- we still have some space left, so if you are interested, contact me ASAP.

All photos of students were found on Flickr’s Creative Commons.

 Winter Holidays Around  the World dates have  been set:
 Teacher Session: November  4, 2008 @  4 pm CT
 Student Session I:  November  25, 2008 @  9:30  or 11 am CT
 Student Session II:  December  16, 2008 @  9:30  or 11 am CT

 Students in past  videoconference connections  have written about several  winter holidays, including (but  not limited to) Chinese New  Year, Ramadan, and Kwanzaa. 

Award winning author Patricia McKissack shares with students her expertise when in comes to writing, and tells participants about her holiday book, Christmas in the Big House, Christmas in the Quarters. This illustrated book, for children ages nine and up, compares the preparations between the plantation mansion and the slave quarters leading up to Christmas celebrations.

During the first videoconference, Pat will talk with the participating teachers about what they are doing in class and how this videoconference relates to their curriculum. In the second and third videoconferences, Pat interacts directly with the students. In the final connection, students will have an opportunity to share their work with their peers and Pat. Pat offers her praise and critique of the work, though often encouraging students to revise and rewrite! 

To have your class sign up for this interactive videoconference series, contact Rebecca Morrison at Cooperating School Districts to learn about costs and expectations. Each videoconference should have no more than 30 students per class, and we never connect more than three schools at one time. Pat works with students of all ages, but we work to schedule to make sure the right groups are working together (a second grade class would never work with a seventh grade class, for instance). We hope to see you this holiday session!

(pro vs. con)

We started a couple minutes late for our videoconference today (always great to have a connection hiccup before a Friday afternoon videoconference! Thanks to the district folks who helped us get up and running). 

The Rockwood South Middle students have been spending the last few weeks working on their various arguments, and recognizing the difference between fact and opinion. They presented their cases to To Establish Justice authors Patricia McKissack and Arlene Zarembka over videoconference today. Topics ranged from racial profiling in airports to teens & driving.        

Authors, how did you think the session went? Students, how about you- what would you do differently?

 

 (Arlene & Pat listen to the  students present their cases)

Dear Howitt Students,

I am back home after a trip to Chicago, and I’ve had a chance to read your diary entries. Thank you for your kind comments about our video-session, but more than that, thanks for sharing your work with me. I see so much potential here and a lot of creative energy and imagination at work in your writing. Keep up the good work. I am proud of your efforts and I encourage you all to keep on writing.

to see all her comments, visit: ”Wow! Can You Imagine??”