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

Send us Fan Mail On today’s episode the persistent and innovative Tina Athaide talks about  how she learned something new each time editors rejected her novel, Orange for the Sunsets , how teaching first grade started her publication journey, and the importance of having diversity in critique groups. Before our next episode, be sure to read Mimic Makers: Biomimicry Inventors Inspired by Nature by...

Send us Fan Mail On today’s episode the flexible and innovative Pernille Ripp talks about how there is no such thing as a perfect teacher, how when she writes she strives to create from an authentic and honest place, and how as educators we need to prioritize conversations with students to make sure we don’t lose sight of the kids as we cross off items on our curriculum to-do lists.  Pernille and...

Send us Fan Mail On today’s episode the creative and supportive April Jones Prince talks about how we write to create a connection with others, how when she gets stuck as a writer she thinks of the encouraging comments she uses to support her students and how she wants to empower everyone to see themselves as readers and writers.  April Jones Prince generously donated a signed copy of You Are a Re...

Send us Fan Mail On today’s episode the flexible and observant Loree Griffin Burns talks about how teaching has forced her to dissect her writing process as well as her product which has made her a better writer, how as a teacher she’s embracing the writing process instead of leaning on students’ products and how sometimes the labels we assign to ourselves hold us back from finding out who we real...

Send us Fan Mail T he multi-talented and transcendent Carole Boston Weatherford talks about how she scaffolds her English class assignments to meet the needs of all learners, how she channeled Billie Holiday’s voice while writing Becoming Billie Holiday which led to other masterful books such as Birmingham, 1963 and Voice of Freedom: Fannie Lou Hamer: The Voice of the Civil Rights Movement , and t...

Send us Fan Mail Believe it or not, the beginning of the school year is here. To celebrate the beginning of Chalk + Ink’s second season, I’ve compiled the top ten writers' workshop tips from last season’s collaborators to help get listeners psyched up to implement fabulous writers' workshops in their classrooms. Tip Number Ten: Plan for Success From: @HannahStarkNYC www.hannahcarinastark...

Send us Fan Mail Believe it or not, the school year is wrapping up. For teachers who write and writers who teach that means more time to write. To celebrate the end of Chalk + Ink’s first season, I’ve compiled the top ten writing tips from the first season’s collaborators to help get listeners psyched up for a creative, productive summer. Tip Number Ten: Set Your Summer Goals Now From @HannahStark...

Send us Fan Mail The vivacious and courageous Alicia D. Williams tackles tough topics such as the importance of diversifying the academic canon so that all children see reflections of themselves in the classroom, why children as young as five years old believe they don't belong because of their brown skin and how colorism has existed for generations yet it's not discussed or acknowledged...

Send us Fan Mail The kind and empathetic Sarah Lynn Scheerger talks about how reading, writing and social emotional learning are intertwined, how to make use of pockets of time and the importance of supporting students with different learning styles. If you would like to connect after this episode, you can find Sarah at www.sarahlynnbooks.com and on Twitter @sarahscheerger and you can find me at w...

Send us Fan Mail The inquisitive and energetic Jennifer Swanson talks about how expository texts are filled with tiny bits of information that fuel children's curiosity,  how writers need to do their research in order to learn the voices and genres of different houses before submitting, and the importance of painting pictures in students' and readers' minds. If you would like to con...

Send us Fan Mail The tenacious and thoughtful Hannah Stark talks about reading picture books with multiple lenses, using body and home maps to generate ideas for writers' workshop, and the importance of backward planning and tiny task completion to reach writing goals.  If you would like to connect after this episode, you can find Hannah at www.hannahcarinastark.com and on Twitter @HannahStar...

Send us Fan Mail The passionate and determined Michelle Schaub talks about the power and beauty of individual words, collective poems and using word fishbowls to overcome writer's block in the classroom. If you would like to connect after this episode, you can find Michelle at www.michelleschaub.com and on Twitter @Schaubwrites and you can find me at www.katenarita.com and on Twitter @KateNar...

Send us Fan Mail The fun and fierce, Rob Sanders, talks about how LGBTQ+ students and students who have LGBTQ+ family members need to see themselves and their families reflected in books, how we need to stop giving our time away so that we can focus on writing and how breakthrough moments happen every day in writing and teaching if we are looking for them. If you would like to connect after this e...

Send us Fan Mail The flexible and humorous Sheri Dillard talks about how she uses pretend read alouds to revise her manuscripts, the importance of putting books face out so that they're accessible for preschoolers and the necessity of believing in yourself to make your dream of becoming a published author come true. If you would like to connect after this episode, you can find Sheri at www.sh...

Send us Fan Mail The honest and brave Jody Little talks about the importance of reading novels with sad scenes so that we develop empathy for one another, giving students the opportunity to joy write and the necessity of compartmentalizing writing time from teaching time. If you would like to connect after this episode, you can find Jody at www.jodylittle.com and on Twitter @Jodyjlittle and you ca...

Send us Fan Mail The honest and hopeful Ernesto Cisneros talks about opening the door to the Latino culture, how his students are a key component to his publishing success and encourages all teachers and students to dream big because the world needs each of our voices to be heard. If you would like to connect after this episode, you can find Ernesto at www.ernestocisneros.com and on Twitter @Autho...

Send us Fan Mail The passionate and persistent Valerie Bolling talks about the power of weekly critique groups, how being open to feedback will lead to breakthrough moment after breakthrough moment and how we as educators must be willing to look at our own implicit biases and discuss racism with our students. If you would like to connect after this episode, you can find Valerie at www.valeriebolli...

Send us Fan Mail The diligent and determined Jolene Gutierrez talks about the importance of sensitivity readers, pursuing one's goals today and putting the right book in each student's hands. If you would like to connect after this episode, you can find Jolene at www.jolenegutierrez.com and on Twitter @writerjolene and you can find me at www.katenarita.com or on Twitter @KateNarita. Happ...

Send us Fan Mail The poetic and daring Lisa Rogers talks about the power of reading books aloud, how to pick apart beloved books and apply that knowledge to your own writing and inspiring classroom activities such as debating whether or not banned and challenged books should be included in school libraries. If you would like to connect after this episode, you can find Lisa at www.lisarogerswrites....

Send us Fan Mail The prolific and introspective Melissa Stewart talks about idea incubators, how telling the truth connects you to your audience and how a large part of her heart is at the center of one of her most popular books PIPSQUEAKS, SLOWPOKES and STINKERS. If you would like to connect after this episode, you can find Melissa at www.melissa-stewart.com or on Twitter @mstewartscience and you...

Send us Fan Mail The inspirational and flexible Katrina Moore talks to us about how important it is for all students to see themselves reflected in literature and that when students are unable to find those mirrors, they can create them with their own work. But that's not all. She also explains how she mines her writing for heart and streamlines her theme. If you would like to connect after t...

Send us Fan Mail The passionate and dedicated Cathy Breisacher talks to us about starting online student critique groups, cataloging her students' books in her library and life-altering interactions. If you would like to connect after this episode, you can find Cathy at cathybreisacher.com or on Twitter @CathyBreisacher and you can find me at www.katenarita.com or on Twitter @Kate Narita. Hap...

Send us Fan Mail The multitalented Tina Cho talks with us about Oprah teaching moments, sentences that flow like music and haenyeo, female, Korean, deep sea divers. If you would like to connect after listening to this episode, you can find Tina at www.tinamcho.com or on Twitter @TinaMCho and you can find me at www.katenarita.com or on Twitter @KateNarita. Happy listening! Support the show

Send us Fan Mail The kind and generous Brenda Maier gives us strategies to push our learners in the classroom and shares how she balances teaching full-time, raising five kids and writing. If you would like to connect after listening to this episode, you can find Brenda at www.brendamaier.com or on Twitter @MaierBrenda and you can find me at www.katenarita.com or on Twitter @KateNarita. Happy list...

Send us Fan Mail Meet the bright and insightful author and educator Angela Shante.  She explains how to use literacy to tiptoe into social emotional learning, tells listeners how to weave editing magic into their classrooms and leaves teachers with a fun, fantastic writing activity you can try with your class. If you want to connect with Angela, her website is www.angelashante.com and you can reac...