Educationtipster: Kathy Stemke, Author/Educator

Revision Week: Cynthia Leitich Smith

noreply@blogger.com (kathy stemke) — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 15:41:00 +0000

SEVENTY EBOOKS FREE IN HONOR OF READ ACROSS AMERICA DAY

noreply@blogger.com (kathy stemke) — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 00:59:00 +0000

SYLVAN DELL PUBLISHING TO OFFER SEVENTY EBOOKS FREE IN HONOR OF READ ACROSS AMERICA DAY

Mount Pleasant, S.C. (Feb. 29, 2011)–Sylvan Dell Publishing will be participating in Read Across America Day by offering all of its award-winning eBooks FREE to read at www.sylvandellpublishing.com on March 2. Participants will have access to Sylvan Dell’s full eBook Site License including eBooks with auto-flip, auto-read, and selectable English and Spanish text and audio. This is in addition to the free activities available every day including a “For Creative Minds” educational section, 40-70 pages of free teaching activities, three quizzes, and a related websites page for each title.

Sylvan Dell co-owner and editor Donna German states, “We are proud to offer children a simple way to participate in Read Across America Day. By offering our full eBook Site License we also make it easy not only for children to read and explore our great books, but we make it easy for parents and teachers to use each book as stepping stone to learning with our “For Creative Minds” section and our free teaching activities.”

Sylvan Dell Publishing’s mission is to excite children’s imaginations with artistically spectacular science, math, and nature-themed stories. Founded in November of 2004, Sylvan Dell has grown to include more than 75 authors and illustrators in the United States and Canada, and 70 titles—honored as finalists or winners of over 70 book awards. Sylvan Dell’s Science and Math Through Literature Program integrates science, math, geography, character skills, and language learning through fun, cross-curricular activities.

To participate in Sylvan Dell Publishing’s Read Across America eBook event, simply visit www.sylvandellpublishing.com on March 2and click on the Read Across America icon in the upper right-hand corner of the website. For questions or concerns, call Sylvan Dell Publishing directly at (877) 243-3457 or email info@sylvandellpublishing.com.

KATHY STEMKE'S WEBSITES:

Moving Through all Seven Days link:http://www.lulu.com/content/e-book/moving-through-all-seven-days/7386965# http://www.helium.com/users/406242.html http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/237923/Kathy_stemke_dancekam.html Follow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/kathystemke Follow me on Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=6147172660&topic=4910#!/kathymarescomatthews.stemke?ref=profile Follow me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/pub/kathy-stemke/13/269/285

Children’s Ezine Guardian Angel Kids: The Human Body – March 2012 Issue

noreply@blogger.com (kathy stemke) — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 17:58:00 +0000

Children’s Ezine Guardian Angel Kids: The Human Body – March 2012 Issue

Welcome to the March 2012 issue of Guardian Angel Kids Ezine (GAK). This month our theme for GAK is The Human Body. Check it out here.

Did you know that you lose 60 – 100 strands of hair every day? Or that fingernails grow nearly four times faster than toenails? The distance around the earth is 25,000 miles. If you measured the length of all of a child's blood vessels, the total would be 60,000 miles. In an adult, it would be 100,000 miles or nearly four times the distance around the earth.

And that bothersome earwax that seems to build up so frequently? It protects the delicate inner ear. Our bodies are indeed complex and amazing.

Come explore the world of "The Human Body" through featured books, poetry, activities, engaging stories, and articles www.guardian-angel-kids.com.

Letter from the POETRY EDITOR: Donna J. Shepherd

Featured BookS:

Muscles Make Us Move: The Sum of Our Parts Series - Flip Book by Bill Kirk & Artist Eugene Ruble

Human Anatomy Video by Dejan Kober

Children’S poetry, ACTIVITIES, SHORT STORIES, and articleS:

In the Bone Zone by Bill Kirk – learn about the skeleton through this amusing poem.

Games and Activities to Teach the Human Body by Kathy Stemke – games and activities that require whole body participation will attract children’s imaginations.

If I Have to be Normal by Juliana Jones and illustrated by Clara Batton Smith – finding a healthy balance even if you don’t follow the “normal” way.
Listen Up! by Laura Thomas and illustrated by Jack Foster – school girl Jasmine discovers the hard way why we are created with two ears and just one mouth.

Excuse Me, I Burped! by Layne Fleming – you open your mouth to speak and out comes a burp. You’re embarrassed. You wonder why you burped.

Read Aloud Tips and Strategies: How Educators and Parents Can Sustain Interest by Dorit Sasson – both educators and parents play a strong role in ensuring young readers are engaged during read aloud time.

Visit Guardian Angel Kid today and www.guardian-angel-kids.com and enjoy a child safe and ad free Ezine.

We also invite you to stay connected with Guardian Angel Kids through our Facebook Fan Page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Guardian-Angel-Kids-Ezine/163785080346247.

Please feel free to drop Editor-in-Chief, Donna McDine an email at submissions@guardian-angel-kids.com and let them know what you think of Guardian Angel Kids and what you'd like to see in the future. They aim to please.

The Guardian Angel Kids Ezine staff and contributors look forward to your visit. Thank you for your time and interest.

GUARDIAN ANGEL KIDS

noreply@blogger.com (kathy stemke) — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 17:30:00 +0000

GUARDIAN ANGEL KIDS

Happy Birthday Tony

noreply@blogger.com (kathy stemke) — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 15:35:00 +0000

Happy Birthday to the best man I have ever known, my husband, Anthony Stemke!!

The Visual Character Arc: Characterization in Picture Books

noreply@blogger.com (kathy stemke) — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 05:46:00 +0000

WELCOME TO DAY 1

BLACK COW BOOK TOUR

The Visual Character Arc: Characterization in Picture Books

by Magdalena Ball

Normally when writing instructors speak of the 'character arc' they're talking about textual based fiction, but all good books, from novels to children's picture books use characterisation well. So why is characterisation important? There's one key, critical reason and that is because everyone reading your book is going to be a person who will need to relate to and accept (even if temporarily) as real. To achieve good characterisation in a novel you need details, specifics, visual impressions, motion. This can be achieved just as well with images as it can with text. With text, you often need a paragraph to convey a character impression such as the following from my new novel Black Cow:

Her mind knotted with things she couldn’t say out loud, desire for change, fear for James’ health and a growing headache that had begun to work its way around the eyes as she called out, "Are you okay?"

Now look at this image of the the Lorax from the Dr Seuss book of the same name:

Doesn't his expression convey something similar, anger, concern, frustration, a hint of tireness, and maybe a sense of being small, helpless and still in charge to an extent all in one glance? It helps that Dr Seuss supports this amazing image with some cracking text:

He was shortish. And oldish.
And brownish. And mossy.

And he spoke with a voice

that was sharpish and bossy.

An example of powerful characterisation? I'll say. There are classic examples of characterisation here with the antogonist/protagonist relationship strengthened by using the antagonist as contrite narrator trying to make good - a character arc if ever there was. All of this is supported by Dr Seuss's colourful imagery, which has stayed with me from childhood like other characters including those of Maurice Sendak.

Who, for example, could forget Little Bear and his mother. The care, the very human concern of the mother (and just the tiniest hint of exasperation - after all, mother is busy as all mothers are), and the hat, which mother provided him to keep him warm. Yes, all the elements of characterisation can be conveyed in images, in brief hints of text, using rhyme as Dr Seuss does, personification, onomatopoeia, allusion, imagery, all the poetic techniques are in play, and strengthened by the visual.

So how do you do this in your work? Just stick to the basics. Know your characters, develop them with both explicit and implicit qualities, from the superficial and quirky, to the deep and universal. Show the reader who they are through nuance and action, detail, dialogue and description, just as we might get to know someone we meet at a party for the first time. Let us come to love your picture book characters as we would the characters in a novel and you'll have produced a work that will remain with the reader into adulthood.

Magdalena Ball is the author of the newly released character rich novel Black Cow. Grab a a free mini flip book of the book here: http://www.bewritebooks.com/mb/BlackCow/BlackCow.html

For more information on the book visit: http://magdalenaball.com/wordpress/?page_id=175

Buy the Book
AMAZON (discounted!) | BARNES & NOBLE | BOOK DEPOSITORY (free worldwide shipping!) | BEWRITE BOOKS

BOOK TOUR SCHEDULE:

Friday, 24 February: Educationtipster
Monday, 27 February: Writing and other ways into the heart…
Tuesday, 28 February: Nancy Famolari
Friday, 2nd March: Boychik Lit
Monday, 5 March: Slow and Steady Writers
Tuesday, 6 March: World of Ink Network (radio show)
Thursday, 8 March: The Alliterative Allomorph
Saturday, 10 March: Writers on the Move
Monday, 12 March: WOTM Webinar workshop
Thursday, 15 March: Heidi M. Thomas
Friday, 19 March: The Simplicity Collective
Tuesday, 20 March: The Dark Phantom
Wednesday, 21 March: Do North
Friday, 23 March: Karen Coiffi-Ventrice Writing and Marketing
Saturday, 24 March: The New Book Review
Thursday, 26 April: A Book and a Chat radio show

Please comment for a chance to win a prize!
KATHY STEMKE'S WEBSITES: Moving Through all Seven Days link:http://www.lulu.com/content/e-book/moving-through-all-seven-days/7386965# http://www.helium.com/users/406242.html http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/237923/Kathy_stemke_dancekam.html Follow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/kathystemke Follow me on Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=6147172660&topic=4910#!/kathymarescomatthews.stemke?ref=profile Follow me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/pub/kathy-stemke/13/269/285

50 Essential Homeschool Blogs for Every Grade Level | Online College Tips - Online Colleges

noreply@blogger.com (kathy stemke) — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 02:08:00 +0000

50 Essential Homeschool Blogs for Every Grade Level Online College Tips - Online Colleges

Magdalena Ball: Black Cow Virtual Book Tour (and more)

noreply@blogger.com (kathy stemke) — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 14:43:00 +0000

Magdalena Ball: Black Cow Virtual Book Tour (and more): Hello wonderful fellow bookworms. I'm very excited to report that my new novel Black Cow is about to be released on February 24th. To ce...

A GREAT REVIEW FOR "TROUBLE ON EARTH DAY"

noreply@blogger.com (kathy stemke) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 23:08:00 +0000

http://www.thenewbookreview.blogspot.com/2012/02/earth-day-reading-for-kids.html

KATHY'S WEBSITES:
Moving Through all Seven Days link:http://www.lulu.com/content/e-book/moving-through-all-seven-days/7386965# http://www.helium.com/users/406242.html http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/237923/Kathy_stemke_dancekam.html Follow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/kathystemke Follow me on Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=6147172660&topic=4910#!/kathymarescomatthews.stemke?ref=profile Follow me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/pub/kathy-stemke/13/269/285

GUARDIAN ANGEL KIDS online ezine for Kids!

noreply@blogger.com (kathy stemke) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:45:00 +0000

GUARDIAN ANGEL KIDS online ezine for Kids!

Moving Through all Seven Days link:http://www.lulu.com/content/e-book/moving-through-all-seven-days/7386965#http://www.helium.com/users/406242.html http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/237923/Kathy_stemke_dancekam.htmlFollow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/kathystemkeFollow me on Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=6147172660&topic=4910#!/kathymarescomatthews.stemke?ref=profileFollow me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/pub/kathy-stemke/13/269/285

Children’s Ezine Guardian Angel Kids: Math Concepts – February 2012 Issue

noreply@blogger.com (kathy stemke) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:21:00 +0000

Teaching math concepts beyond traditional number problems opens up creative opportunities for both teachers and students. Different strategies include the use of poetry, stories, engaging articles, and activities that get the body and mind working in unison.

Come explore the world of "Math Concepts" in the Guardian Angel Kids February 2012 issue and learn how to tell time, add, subtract, and divide, rap to numbers through poetry, learn the history of pennies, how powerful zero truly is, and hands on math activities. Make it a family learning experience and fun will surely be had by one and all.

Letter from the EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Donna M. McDine

Featured BookS:

Learn to Count 1-10 flip book by Eugene Ruble

Sparkie: A Star Afraid of the Dark book trailer by Susann Batson

Children’S poetry, SHORT STORIES, and articleS:

“Can You Tell Time?” quiz by Marion Tickner – explores the different timepieces before the technology explosion.

“How Many Are Half?” poetry by Donna J. Shepherd – Grandma’s delicious chocolate chip cookie treat and how the cookies are shared.

“Numbers Rap,” poetry by Bill Kirk – the wonder of numbers all around us.

“Cookies with Sprinkles,” by Shari L. Klase and illustrated by Julie Hammond – a whimsical adventure to Grandma’s house.

“The Value of Pennies,” by Gina Napoli – discover the history and significance of pennies.

“The All Powerful Nothing,” by Mary Reina – learn about the power of zero and how it turns nothing into something.

“Hands on Math Activities for Home or School,” by Kathy Stemke – get moving and grooving with enjoyable Math activities.

“Hopscotch Math,” by Karen Robuck – teach and reinforce basic Math skills with the fun of hopscotch.

Visit Guardian Angel Kid today and www.guardian-angel-kids.com and enjoy a child safe and ad free Ezine.

Kathy Stemke's websites:

Tips for Nurturing Reading in Young Children

noreply@blogger.com (kathy stemke) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 15:25:00 +0000

by Kathy Stemke

Reading is a fundamental lifetime skill that will bring a child immeasurable enjoyment over the years. By singing, talking, reciting rhymes and reading to young children we help their brains to form the links that are essential to learning all language skills. In fact, it is in the
first three years, when the brain grows to 90% of its adult weight that children have the greatest capacity to learn to read.

During this time it is important to form the habit of reading daily to your children. Be dramatic and animated to hold their attention. Use unique and funny voices for each character.

Point to the words you read so that your child associates the pictures and sounds of the book with the letters on each page. Sound out a few simple words. As you read, point out the similarities in the words. Act amazed, as if you found a beautiful jewel. Enthusiasm is contagious.

If you make reading a priority, children will consider it important as well. Create a warm, cozy corner of their room just for reading. Include a bookcase full of great fiction and nonfiction books as well as periodicals. Decorate this corner with pictures that they draw of the books they read. You could even make a caterpillar and add a segment each month
with the book titles they read that month.

Be aware of reading levels and choose books with appropriate levels for your child. One of the biggest turn-offs for children is the frustration they feel when they struggle to read a book which is above their level of reading.

Children feel so grownup when they get mail. Why not sign them up for an age appropriate magazine that comes in the mail monthly.

"O Say Can You Say" by Dr. Seuss teaches a child the silliness of words and rhymes. As you falter over the words, do it with laughter so children will learn that if you read a word incorrectly, it's not time to quit.

Keeping children engaged in the stories, and including fun activities in their reading experience are also important keys to nurturing a love of reading in young children.

Since play is how children learn, play with letters, sounds and words. Play games with sight words too. For instance, draw a road with sight words printed on it. Use a toy car to drive to each word. Have them repeat the word after you so they can drive on to the finish line. Give them an award. When children master many sight words, reading becomes easier.

Use puppets to create interest. Make your own puppets inexpensively. Buy stuffed animals at a thrift store or yard sale, remove some stuffing and add a sock to the inside. Allow the child to act out the story with the puppet.

Take a trip to the local library. Get involved in a story time for children. The librarians introduce fun games and activities associated with books. Encourage your child to explore the children's section of the library.

Make personalized books. Allowing children to become the main character or a hero in the book will definitely keep them hooked to it. Photograph them during their daily activities and create a wordless book. Foster creativity by permitting them to tell their own story.

Make books on fruits and vegetables. Plan a trip to the supermarket. Have your child take pictures of different fruits and vegetables. Children love to touch, feel and smell the different fruits and vegetables. They can also compare the size and weight.

There are an infinite number of ways that you can make books come alive for young children. Once they get the book bug, they will always want to read.

Moving Through all Seven Days link:
http://www.lulu.com/content/e-book/moving-through-all-seven-days/7386965# http://www.helium.com/users/406242.html http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/237923/Kathy_stemke_dancekam.html Follow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/kathystemke Follow me on Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=6147172660&topic=4910#!/kathymarescomatthews.stemke?ref=profile Follow me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/pub/kathy-stemk e/13/269/285

2012 Writing and Marketing eBook Extravaganza

noreply@blogger.com (kathy stemke) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 16:44:00 +0000

To start the New Year with a BANG, from January 1^st through February 28, 2012, Karen Cioffi is offering all her writing and marketing e-books (purchased directly from her site/s using the Paypal SHOPPING CART) for a $1.19 each. And, this will include new titles added within that time period.

That’s right, only $1.19 for each of these titles:

How to Write Books for Children: Writing, Publishing, and Marketing Children’s Books (nominated in the 2011 Global eBooks Awards – over 100 pages)

http://www.karencioffi.com/how-to-write-books-for-children/

Editing Books Like a Pro: Self-Editing for Books and Articles

http://www.karencioffi.com/editing-books-like-a-pro/

How to Create an eBook and Its Many Uses

http://www.karencioffi.com/create-and-sell-your-own-ebooks/

Writing, Publishing, and Marketing – You Can Do It!

http://www.karencioffi.com/writing-publishing-and-marketing/

How to Start a Freelance Writing Business

http://www.karencioffi.com/how-to-start-a-freelance-writing-business/

How to Attract Customers With Informational Marketing

http://www.karencioffi.com/how-to-attract-customers-with-informational-marketing/

Learn How to Create and Sell Information Products From Your Own Site

http://www.karencioffi.com/create-and-sell-information-products-from-your-own-site/

New titles to be coming some time in 2012 include:

Webinar Marketing: Create and Present Your Own Webinars

Book Marketing: DIY Virtual Book Tours From Start to Finish

Book Marketing: Soup to Nuts

Marketing Information Products

If you’re reading this you’re probably an author or writer, and it’s no doubt you how important it is to stay on top of your writing and marketing game, the above e-books will help you do just that.

For only a $1.19 each you can get all seven titles for under $10.

Click on the links above to review what each book has to offer – each landing page will have a shopping cart on January 1^st, for your convenience. Be sure to use the Shopping Cart Paypal Buy Button, otherwise you’ll pay full price.

Karen Cioffi is a published author, freelance writer, and marketer, and to start the New Year with a BANG, from January 1 through February 28, 2012, she is offering all her writing and marketing e-books (purchased directly from her site/s using the Paypal SHOPPING CART) for a $1.19 each.

For a complete list (with brief descriptions of each ebook) go to:

http://www.karencioffiwritingandmarketing.com/p/karens-books.html

Kathy Stemke's websites:
Moving Through all Seven Days link:http://www.lulu.com/content/e-book/moving-through-all-seven-days/7386965# http://www.helium.com/users/406242.html http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/237923/Kathy_stemke_dancekam.html Follow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/kathystemke Follow me on Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=6147172660&topic=4910#!/kathymarescomatthews.stemke?ref=profile Follow me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/pub/kathy-stemke/13/269/285

Karen Cioffi Writing and Marketing: 2012 Writing and Marketing eBook Extravaganza

noreply@blogger.com (kathy stemke) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 22:33:00 +0000

Karen Cioffi Writing and Marketing: 2012 Writing and Marketing eBook Extravaganza: To start the New Year with a BANG, from January 1st through February 28, 2012, all my writing and marketing e-books purchased directly from ...

Moving Through all Seven Days link:http://www.lulu.com/content/e-book/moving-through-all-seven-days/7386965#http://www.helium.com/users/406242.html http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/237923/Kathy_stemke_dancekam.htmlFollow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/kathystemkeFollow me on Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=6147172660&topic=4910#!/kathymarescomatthews.stemke?ref=profileFollow me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/pub/kathy-stemke/13/269/285

Winter Animals: Activities and Songs!

noreply@blogger.com (kathy stemke) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 21:40:00 +0000

Baby Polar Bear Song
tune: Baby Bumblebee

I’m swimming with a baby polar bear,

Hear my mommy shout, "watch out, beware!”

I’m swimming with a baby polar bear,
(Swim in a designated space without touching anyone else)

Ouch! It tripped me!
(freeze and touch the ground)

I’m running with a baby polar bear,

Hear my mommy shout, "watch out, beware!”

I’m running with a baby polar bear,
(Run in a designated space without touching anyone else)

Ouch! It tripped me!
(freeze and touch the ground)

I’m jumping with a baby polar bear,

Hear my mommy shout, "watch out, beware!”

I’m jumping with a baby polar bear,
(Jump in a designated space without touching anyone else)

Ouch! It tripped me!
(freeze and touch the ground)

I’m sleeping with a baby polar bear,

Hear my mommy shout, "watch out, beware!”

I’m sleeping with a baby polar bear,
(Yawn, stretch and walk to the middle)

Now my mommy won’t be mad at me!
(All cuddle together to sleep)

Polar Bear Ice Game
Information:
Polar bears loom large on the ice cold tundra, with some males reaching 10 feet tall when standing upright. This animal is classified as a threatened species. Polar bears do not hibernate like other bears. However, females build dens to give birth and “hole up” with their newborn cubs. During this time, their bodily functions slow down in a process scientists call “winter sleep,” but the bears can be easily awakened. Polar bears eat an almost exclusively carnivorous diet of seals. They enjoy a semi-aquatic lifestyle, and have the largest home range of any land mammal. Living in the tundra, polar bears have 2-4 inches of blubber (from your thumb to your
index finger) to keep them from starving and to keep them warm. The blubber also helps them float in the water. Their fur is made of clear hollow tubes, which stick together when wet, and are waterproof. Their skin is black, which absorbs the heat of the sun. Beware, polar bears will attack humans.

*Create 8 irregular chunks of sea ice out of poster board to jump on. On one side, write a yes or no polar bear statement. On the other side write yes or no accordingly like the following:

Polar bears live in the cold tundra. YES

Polar bears hibernate like other bears. NO

Females “hole up” with their cubs and are easily awakened. YES
Polar bears are great swimmers. YES

The polar bear’s blubber makes them sink. NO
Blubber helps them float.

The polar bear’s skin is white, which absorbs the heat of the sun. NO
Their skin is black, absorbs the heat of the sun and keeps them warm.

Polar bears might attack humans. YES

Polar bears are a threatened species. YES

*Create a seal out of poster board.

*Line the ice up in a zigzag fashion with the statement visible. Put the seal at the end of

the line.

*If the child answers correctly they get to jump on the ice chunks until they reach the

seal and have supper.

*If they can’t answer the question they go to the end of the line and try again.

*If the answer is NO and they can correct the answer they get to jump two ice chunks!

*To vary the game, have the children hop or jump backwards.

*If you have an adult helper, split the class into two equal teams. The team who gets all
their members to the seal first wins.

SNOWFLAKE STREAMERS

Each child cuts 4 small snowflakes from folded paper. Staple (4) 12” lengths of ribbon

onto the top of a 6” dowel or straw. Staple a paper snowflake on the end of each ribbon. Use these snowflakes for the following song.

Winter Snow Song
Tune:
Wheels on the Bus

The snow from the clouds falls down on me,
(lift snowflakes up and down)
down on me, down on me,
The snow from the clouds falls down on me,
All around the town.
Verses:
The snow in the air whirls all around

(turn around)
The snow on the ground goes swish, swish, swish
(move flakes side to side)
The kids in the street jump in the snow,

(jump)
The kids in the street slide in the snow
(slide)

Kathy Stemke's websites:
Moving Through all Seven Days link:http://www.lulu.com/content/e-book/moving-through-all-seven-days/7386965# http://www.helium.com/users/406242.html http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/237923/Kathy_stemke_dancekam.html Follow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/kathystemke Follow me on Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=6147172660&topic=4910#!/kathymarescomatthews.stemke?ref=profile Follow me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/pub/kathy-stemke/13/269/285

Fantastic Reading at Indian Rocks Beach!

noreply@blogger.com (kathy stemke) — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 22:19:00 +0000

My husband and I just returned from a fabulous two weeks visiting our daughter and son-in-law in Indian Rocks Beach, Florida. We went to the beach, the Chihuly Museum, the aquarium, a tree lighting, tons of garage sales, out on the boat, the villa, the bird sanctuary and many restaurants. We were also in a Christmas parade!! We threw beads and candy to the observers as well as dog bones to the dogs. So Cool!

I was also asked to read my books at the library. Although the children that attended were a little older than usual, we had a great time. They loved jumping on my consonant blends and throwing a bean bag in the basket.

The children were very interested in the recycling crafts and games. They even said, "Can we do more?"As you might imagine, I was thrilled!

I should be appearing in the Indian Rocks Beach newspaper. Next time we visit I'll schedule the other libraries.

My two books won the Literary Classics seal of approval!!

noreply@blogger.com (kathy stemke) — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 00:36:00 +0000

SH SH SH LET THE BABY SLEEP

TROUBLE ON EARTH DAY

Both of my new releases have won the Literary Classics Seal of Approval! Here are the press releases for both books.

For Immediate Release

Contact: Louise Bryant

Children's Literary Classics

literaryclassics@live.com

Children's Literary Classics is pleased to announce that the children's picture book, Sh Sh Sh Let the Baby Sleep, written by Kathy Stemke and illustrated by Jack Foster has been selected to receive the Children's Literary Classics Seal of Approval. The CLC Seal of Approval is a designation reserved for those books which uphold the rigorous criteria set forth by the Children's Literary Classics review committee, a team comprised of individuals with backgrounds in publishing, editing, writing, illustration and graphic design.

Sh Sh Sh Let the Baby Sleep is the story of a fantastic series of adventures as seen through the eyes of Zachary, a boy who is struggling to adjust to life with a new baby sister. Young Zachary becomes a "super hero" whenever he puts on his glasses. Donning his glasses as he does his best to help protect his baby sister from noises which might wake her, he encounters all sorts of noisy nuisances, including birds, trains and bears. This whimsical book creatively incorporates consonant blends in a story which will surely transport youngsters to new levels of imagination in their quest for adventure and learning.

Zachary's journey is only beginning at the conclusion of this story. Complete with teacher's supplements including rhymes, songs, worksheets and more, this book has much to offer young readers as well as educators.

Sh Sh Sh Let the Baby Sleep, earns the Literary Classics Seal of Approval.

This CLC Seal of Approval book, ISBN#9781616331577 , is available for purchase at the following locations Guardian Angel Publishing, Amazon, B & N, and others. You may contact the author directly for book-signing events at dancekam1@yahoo.com .

For Immediate Release

Children's Literary Classics is pleased to announce that the children's picture book, Trouble on Earth Day, written by Kathy Stemke, has been selected to receive the Children's Literary Classics Seal of Approval. The CLC Seal of Approval is a designation reserved for those books which uphold the rigorous criteria set forth by the Children's Literary Classics review committee, a team comprised of individuals with backgrounds in publishing, editing, writing, illustration and graphic design.

Trouble on Earth Day is the story of Shelby Squirrel, a youngster who is thrilled to have won an Earth Day Poster contest. As Shelby's family of squirrels contemplate the meaning of her poster, namely to "re-think" how some items might be recycled, they start brainstorming ways to put their saved and cast-off items to good use.

When Shelby encounters a bird in short supply of materials with which to build her nest, she comes to the rescue with some of the items her family had recently decided to recycle. Shelby and her new friend pool their efforts and resources to create a beautiful new nest.

With interactive games and projects, including additional Earth Day history information at the back, this book is an excellent resource for educators on the topic of recycling.

Children’s Literary Classics, an organization dedicated to furthering excellence in children’s literature, takes great pride in its role to help promote classic children's literature which appeals to youth, while educating and encouraging positive values in the impressionable young minds of future generations. To learn more about Children's Literary Classics, you may visit their website at www.clcawards.org or www.childrensliteraryclassics.com

This CLC Seal of Approval book, ISBN#978-1-936021-36-9, is available for purchase at the following locations Educationtipster, Amazon, B & N and others. You may contact the author directly for book-signing events at dancekam1@yahoo.com .

KATHY STEMKE'S WEBSITES:Moving Through all Seven Days link:http://www.lulu.com/content/e-book/moving-through-all-seven-days/7386965# http://www.helium.com/users/406242.html http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/237923/Kathy_stemke_dancekam.html Follow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/kathystemke Follow me on Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=6147172660&topic=4910#!/kathymarescomatthews.stemke?ref=profile Follow me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/pub/kathy-stemke/13/269/285

20 Best Quotes of All Time!

noreply@blogger.com (kathy stemke) — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 15:39:00 +0000

My favorite time quote in this list appears in red. Which is yours? Don’t say you don’t have enough time. You have exactly the same number of hours per day that were given to Helen Keller, Pasteur, Michelangelo, Mother Teresa, Leonardo da Vinci, Thomas Jefferson, and Albert Einstein. ~ H. Jackson Brown

The bad news is time flies. The good news is you’re the pilot. ~ Michael Altshuler

Time is the coin of your life. It is the only coin you have, and only you can determine how it will be spent. Be careful lest you let other people spend it for you. ~ Carl Sandburg

I am definitely going to take a course on time management… just as soon as I can work it into my schedule. ~ Louis E. Boone

In truth, people can generally make time for what they choose to do; it is not really the time but the will that is lacking. ~ Sir John Lubbock
Those who make the worse use of their time are the first to complain of its shortness. ~ Jean De La Bruyere

The great dividing line between success and failure can be expressed in five words: "I did not have time." ~ Franklin Field

Don’t be fooled by the calendar. There are only as many days in the year as you make use of. One man gets only a week’s value out of a year while another man gets a full year’s value out of a week. ~ Charles Richards

The key is in not spending time, but in investing it. ~ Stephen R. Covey

Ordinary people think merely of spending time. Great people think of using it. ~ Author Unknown

Once you have mastered time, you will understand how true it is that most people overestimate what they can accomplish in a year - and underestimate what they can achieve in a decade! ~ Anthony Robbins

You’re writing the story of your life one moment at a time. ~ Doc Childre and Howard Martin

Never let yesterday use up today. ~ Richard H. Nelson

Whether it’s the best of times or the worst of times, it’s the only time we’ve got. ~ Art Buchwald

One thing you can’t recycle is wasted time. ~ Author Unknown

All that really belongs to us is time; even he who has nothing else has that. ~ Baltasar Gracian

You cannot kill time without injuring eternity. ~ Henry David Thoreau

Time is at once the most valuable and the most perishable of all our possessions. ~ John Randolph

What may be done at any time will be done at no time. ~ Scottish Proverb

You will never "find" time for anything. If you want time, you must make it. ~ Charles Bruxton

The Balance of Creativity and Education that We Want to See in Children’s Books

noreply@blogger.com (kathy stemke) — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 23:16:00 +0000

The Balance of Creativity and Education that We Want to See in Children’s Books

By Amanda Green

All of us can probably remember a handful of children’s books that colored not only our childhood but also much of our early development. Whether it was a Dr. Seuss book, a classic like Goodnight Moon, or an autobiographical compilation like Little House on the Prairie, the books we read as kids have a very real impact on how we develop as youngsters and grow into the education system. The right children’s books can teach lessons of love and responsibility while also instilling in us a passion for reading and a desire to learn.

This is true of every generation. Although the titles and the stories may change, a good children’s book universally succeeds in capturing the imagination and accomplishing these aforementioned objectives. Even today, in a world where kids grow up with wireless internet, Android phones, and instant connectivity, this formula for stories remains just as valuable – if not more valuable – as ever before.

So what kind of children’s books can best instill all these important values? What kind of books will make learning fun for our kids, and will do so at a young age?

While there is no concrete way to answer these two questions, experience has taught me that the best children’s books are those that best balance outlandish, fantastical elements with real-world lessons. When it comes to creativity, the best books will walk the line. They won’t be so creative as to entertain the child but do so only in a fantasy world that doesn’t make them interested in their own. Conversely, they also won’t lack creativity to such a degree that the child fails to find the book memorable and doesn’t see reading – and, by extension, learning – as a kind of exploration.

Instead, our ideal book will be extremely created but grounded real-world applications. For me, Norton Juster’s The Phantom Tollbooth immediately comes to mind. Set in a fantasy world that nonetheless succeeds in making real-world learning an alluring prospect, this 1961 book walks that line of creativity perfectly. Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, in my opinion, is a close second.

So when you’re looking for books for your child, try to find the right balance between education and creativity. And, always remember: if you want your kid to love reading and learning, be sure to start them at a young age.

Kathy Stemke's website:
Moving Through all Seven Days link:http://www.lulu.com/content/e-book/moving-through-all-seven-days/7386965# http://www.helium.com/users/406242.html http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/237923/Kathy_stemke_dancekam.html
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Win a book: writing Young Adult Fiction for Dummies

noreply@blogger.com (kathy stemke) — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 17:48:00 +0000

http://www.thewritingnut.com/contest/writing-young-adult-fiction-dummies-week-book-giveaway/#comment-4809

Moving Through all Seven Days link:http://www.lulu.com/content/e-book/moving-through-all-seven-days/7386965# http://www.helium.com/users/406242.html http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/237923/Kathy_stemke_dancekam.html Follow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/kathystemke Follow me on Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=6147172660&topic=4910#!/kathymarescomatthews.stemke?ref=profile Follow me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/pub/kathy-stemke/13/269/285

The Reviews for TROUBLE ON EARTH DAY are Rolling In!

noreply@blogger.com (kathy stemke) — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 00:13:00 +0000

In Kathy Stemke’s charming picture book, Trouble on Earth Day , little Shelby squirrel is excited to announce her first place ribbon in the Earth Day poster contest at school. Shelby’s explanation of the concepts on her poster to her parents gets everyone to think about how we can rethink, reuse, and recycle in our homes. Follow along as Shelby answers cries of despair from the forest with what she has learned at school and saves the day.

A perfect introduction to Earth Day concepts that will keep kids thinking all year long, Trouble On Earth Day features an engaging tale with colorful illustrations by Kurt Wilcken that children will love. The bonus in this edition is the section of teaching materials that allow children to extend and apply the concepts taught in the story. Perfect for a traditional classroom or a homeschooling environment, the book offers discussion ideas, songs, activities and crafts to create a multi-sensory learning experience.

I found the characters very relatable, and my children enjoyed the story and illustrations. The included activities are easily done at home with every day supplies. I think this story would have great appeal for early elementary grades as well as pre-school.

Trouble On Earth Day by Kathy Stemke, Illustrated by Kurt Wilcken, Published by Wild Plains Press, Educator’s Edition ISBN 978-1-936021-36-9, Paperback SRP $15.00.

Reviewed by Lara Kimbrell

http://larakimbrell.com/post/11318237115/book-review-trouble-on-earth-day-kathy-stemke

Moving Through all Seven Days link:http://www.lulu.com/content/e-book/moving-through-all-seven-days/7386965# http://www.helium.com/users/406242.html http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/237923/Kathy_stemke_dancekam.html Follow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/kathystemke Follow me on Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=6147172660&topic=4910#!/kathymarescomatthews.stemke?ref=profile Follow me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/pub/kathy-stemke/13/269/285

Trouble on Earth Day Review

noreply@blogger.com (kathy stemke) — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 05:51:00 +0000

Title: Trouble on Earth Day

Author: Kathy Stemke

Illustrator: Kurt Wilchen

Published by Wild Plains Press

ISBN: 978-1-936021-36-9

Reviewed by Karen Cioffi

As a proponent of conservation and the environment, I love children’s books that approach this topic in an engaging and entertaining format. Trouble on Earth Day by Kathy Stemke does just that.

The story begins with the main character, Shelby the squirrel, winning the Earth Day poster contest; the young reader is quickly brought into the focus of the story, our environment. Shelby’s poster has “Rethink, Reuse, and Recycle” boldly and colorfully written on it.

As the story progresses, Shelby and her parents discuss the different ways individuals and families can conserve, such as using old clothing for a quilt.

It also delves into the effects of deforestation. When Shelby hears the cries of a “little bird,” she searches until she finds it, then asks the bird what’s wrong. The bird explains, “The workman cut down my tree and my nest. I found a new tree, but I can only find twigs to make a new home.”

Using ingenuity and what she learned from her parents, Shelby helps the bird build a new nest using recyclable items from her home. Trouble on Earth Day will quickly heave children asking about the environment and looking around their homes for items that can be recycled.

Adding to the invitingness of this delightful story are amazing full page illustrations by Kurt Wilchen. Each page has vivid and bold illustrations that will surely grab and hold a young reader’s attention. Along with all this, Stemke includes pages and pages of activities, and additional information about conservation and the environment, all to help children better understand the story’s theme. It even includes a song titled “The Fuzzy Squirrel” that children can sing to with the music from “I’m a Little Teapot.”

Some of the activities and information include in Educator’s Edition:

Reading comprehension activities
Original topic related lyrics that children can sing to the melody of classic favorites
Discussion topics, such as Why Trees are Important and What Things Can be Reused
Games, including the Going Green Game
Recycling activities, such as making napkin rings using recycled toilet paper rolls, recycling old CDs to make ornaments, and how to recycle old crayons
Dolch Sight Word activity page

My favorite information page in Trouble on Earth Day briefly explains what went on before the first Earth Day in April 1970, what the focus of Earth day is, and why it’s so important.

Learning how each of us can take steps to protect our environment is important for children and adults alike. It will take all our efforts to help improve the environment for a healthier tomorrow. Trouble on Earth Day is a great start for children.

~~~~~~~~~~

Karen Cioffi is a published author, ghostwriter, and editor for 4RV Publishing. For writing and marketing information, and to find out more about Karen and her books, visit: http://karencioffiwritingandmarketing.com. While there, be sure to sign-up for her newsletter, A Writer’s World.

The Frugal Book Promotor: New Edition of Multi Award-Winning Book Released

noreply@blogger.com (kathy stemke) — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 01:39:00 +0000

Thousands Expected to Dig for Nuggets

More than a dozen authors, mentors, and nationally known book marketers will offer thousand in bonus gifts focused on the needs of authors when novelist, poet, and book marketer Carolyn Howard-Johnson releases the second edition of the first book in her HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers, The Frugal Book Promoter.

Among those supporting Howard-Johnson’s book are self publishing gurus Dan Poynter and Shelley Hitz, book marketers Dana Lynn Smith, Patricia Fry, D’vorah Lansky, and Aggie Villaneuva and even some fun stuff like a full book of poetry from Magdalena Ball and advice on feng shui from Anna Maria Prezio, Ph.D. Leading the charge is Amazon and book launch expert Denise Cassino.

Collectively, they offer an inestimable value in career boosting bonus gifts to anyone who pays a mere $9.95 for The Frugal Book Promoter in its Kindle iteration (www.budurl.com/FrugalBkProKindle) or $12.82 (discounted from $17.95) for the paperback on Amazon (www.budurl.com/FrugalBkPromo).

The project will reach a crescendo on Wednesday, October 8, when an unprecedented number of people will visit Howard-Johnson’s launch page and launch her valuable to number one on Amazon.com, a great way to help make this book visible to even more authors who need it. Check out her site on October 8 at http://frugalbookpromoter.homestead.com/index.html

Howard-Johnson, an instructor for nearly a decade at UCLA Extension’s Writers’ Program, chose to have the new edition published in both e-book format and paperback in order to give her struggling students and clients affordable and convenient choices. Whichever format a reader chooses, The Frugal Book Promoter assures an author’s book the best possible start in life. Full of nitty-gritty how-tos for getting nearly free publicity, the author shares her professional experience as well as practical tips gleaned from the successes of her own book campaigns. A former journalist and publicist (she wrote media releases for fashion designers like Christian Dior), she tells authors how to do what their publishers can’t or won’t and why authors can often do their own promotion better than a PR professional.

Howard-Johnson even assigned a new subtitle to this edition of her book to reflect its appeal to a broader array of authors. It is now The Frugal Book Promoter: How to get nearly free publicity on your own or partnering with your publisher. She says, "With the advances in Internet marketing and the role social media plays in communicating, it was high time even writers who had the first edition had access to my frugal (frugal of both time and money!) ideas for new networking opportunities." The big, fat book (416 pages) also has money-saving ads in the back and an amazing new cover—the epitome of “frugalness”—by Chaz DeSimone, www.chazdesimone.com.

Howard-Johnson is the recipient of the California Legislature’s Woman of the Year in Arts and Entertainment Award, her community’s Character and Ethics award for her work promoting tolerance with her writing. She was also named to Pasadena Weekly’s list of 14 women of “San Gabriel Valley women who make life happen.” She has worked for Good Housekeeping Magazine and as a journalist for several newspapers and has been a popular presenter at writers’ conferences nationwide like the one at San Diego State University and the Sinclair Lewis Writers’ Conference. She is also a novelist and poet, which informs the advice she gives to authors of those genres.

Learn more about Howard-Johnson at http://www.howtodoitfrugally.com and http://carolynhoward-johnson.com.

Carolyn Howard-Johnson

Instructor for the renowned UCLA Extension Writers' Program

Author of the multi award-winning series of HowToDoItFrugally books:

The Frugal Book Promoter

The Frugal Editor

The Great First Impression Book Proposal

Great Little Last-Minute Edits

E-mail: HoJoNews@aol.com
Web site:http://www.howtodoitfrugally.com

Moving Through all Seven Days link:http://www.lulu.com/content/e-book/moving-through-all-seven-days/7386965# http://www.helium.com/users/406242.html http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/237923/Kathy_stemke_dancekam.html
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noreply@blogger.com (kathy stemke) — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 17:01:00 +0000

There are zillions of books for kids about holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas, but not nearly as many about Earth Day. Trouble on Earth Day by Kathi Stemke not only fills that void, it's also a delightful picture book that will encourage children to appreciate and care for our environment all year long.
The pictures and plot are cute and young kids will enjoy hearing the book read aloud to them. Older children can read it themselves and participate in the many educational activities suggested. This would be a great book to add to school libraries as well as for families.

Reviewed by
Janet Collins
Children's author

This is a fun story told from a squirrel's point of view on ways to celebrate Earth Day.

It is chock full of recycling crafts to empower children to make a difference in their world.
I liked the nylon sachets and the CD picture frames/ornaments!

Patricia Karwatowicz
Children's author

15 Key Facts About Homeschooled Kids in College

noreply@blogger.com (kathy stemke) — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 13:55:00 +0000

In recent years, homeschooling has seen a rise in popularity, with more and more parents deciding to educate their children not at a traditional school but at home, typically with a parent as instructor. But just like traditional classrooms, homeschool doesn't last forever, and homeschooled students at some point will have to get ready to move on to college. Things are easier for homeschooled college students today, but in the past, these students were plagued by difficult admissions, culture shock, and more. Now, homeschool students often enjoy easier admission, better college performance, and even the opportunity to enter college with several credits already earned. Read on, and you'll find out more about what the homeschool college student experience is like today.

For the rest of the article click: http://www.onlinecollege.org/2011/09/13/15-key-facts-about-homeschooled-kids-in-college/

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