Maribeth Boelts's Blog, page 8

Follow My Leader

A hundred years ago, or when I was in 4th,5th and 6th grade, "Follow My Leader" by James Garfield was one of my favorite books. I found it on Amazon last week, and last night, read the first 18 pages. More like studied the first 18 pages, trying to figure out why I loved it, and how, after being published in 1957, it is STILL IN PRINT. And not only that, the Amazon Sales Ranking is around 50,000. For a 53 year old middle grade novel!

Okay, back to the first 18 pages. Here's what happens....

One day later

They arrived!

Wait a Minute, Mr. Postman

I am stalking the Fed Ex and UPS drivers, waiting for them to deliver the advanced readers copies of "THE PS. BROTHERS". A few days ago, a box awaited me by our front door. Ah, the books!

Here's what was inside...(the container, not the sugar. Ordered online.)

Then today, I came home, and there was another box waiting by the front door. The books!

But alas, here's what I found...Will's lemon "tree" he ordered from Michigan bulb. The boy has a green thumb, for sure, and everything he plants a...

Treadmill Desk, Part 2

Okay, more on this amazing contraption (amazing because I haven't actually built or used it yet)...

http://www.treadmill-desk.com/

And for those of you interested in the $39.00 treadmill desk instead... here are the plans, along with a video:

http://www.treadmill-desk.com/2007/12/49-treadmill-desk.html

I'll let you know how it goes once it's in action. Happy Easter, everyone!

Writing+Exercise=Win/Win

Just got done with a long period of writing... weeks, really, with my rear in a chair and not nearly enough exercise. Today, I came across a young adult author named Arthur Slade, and his genius invention to combine writing with exercise. Got pretty darn excited about his idea! Would it work??? I have a treadmill, a laptop, and a dozen projects needing my attention.... Hmmm...

http://blip.tv/file/1734273

Sugar Grove Elementary

Just back from a visit to Sugar Grove Elementary, outside of Indianapolis. Wow, what an amazing trip! If ever you want to be encouraged and excited about what's happening in education, take a road trip to Sugar Grove. It is ALIVE with creative, inspiring educators with high expectations. The kids are steeped in literature-based experiences...you see the evidence in the writing and work in the hallways, but also in the questions they asked about my books, and about writing in general. It'...

Korea Author Visit

Remember Kip's song in Napolean Dynamite? "I love technology, but not as much as you, you see."
I do love technology. I especially love it when I can sit at my kitchen table and Skype with 5th grade students in an international school in Korea. Tonight, that's what happened. Their teacher, Miss Kim, used "Those Shoes" in her classroom, and inquired about a Skype visit. We made the arrangements, and it worked so well! The kids asked thoughtful questions about writing, the revision process ...

Lesson Plans

For all you teachers out there, there are some very creative, clever lesson plans worked up by Suzy Red at Kids' Wings Creative Educational Associates at http://kidswings.com for both "THOSE SHOES" and "BEFORE YOU WERE MINE". Suzy graciously sent them to me today, and I was impressed!