Elizabeth Winthrop's Teacher's Page

A THANK YOU LETTER TO TEACHERS AND LIBRARIANS

I do believe that teachers and school librarians are the great unsung heros in our society. I'm trying to tell an important story to children, and without you and the booksellers and parents who encourage reading, my words would never reach that audience. In this visually dynamic age of television and computer interactivity, all I have to offer to children are black words on a white page. Books offer much, but they also demand much in return: the readers' attention and imagination. You are the ones who guide and encourage your students to sit still and listen to the story I'm trying to tell. Simply put, without you, my books would not find such a wide and enthusiasic audience. Without you, children would not know the joys and adventures that lie between the covers of a book. For that and so much more, I thank you.

Since THE CASTLE IN THE ATTIC was published I have received hundreds of letters from teachers and librarians like yourselves all over the country telling me how much you enjoy teaching this book in your classrooms and libraries and how happy you were when THE BATTLE FOR THE CASTLE was published. Many of you urged your students to write to me too and I have heard from reluctant readers, speedy readers, boys and girls, owner of dogs, cats, hamsters and iguanas, older sisters and younger brothers, Southerners, Westerners, artists and soccer players and musicians. The letters are often flattering, ("maybe you could come and live wih us"), sometimes begrudging ("I didn't like your book much, but I finished it and it got better in the end"), usually honest ("my parents are divorced and I hate it")* and always a pleasure for me to read.

You have also shared with me some of your varied and exciting ideas about teaching my CASTLE books in the classroom. Some of you have sent me photographs of the castles your students have built or the costumes they wore on Medieval Day or the skits they put on in their classrooms. It is both thrilling and humbling for a writer to learn in detail how her book has inspired such enthusiasm and creativity and energy.

Now I am finding the same is happening with COUNTING ON GRACE. Here are some ideas of how to teach that book and others of mine in your classroom. Be in touch!

COUNTING ON GRACE

Teachers Page
Vermont Reads
Download a comprehensive Curriculum Links Guide for teaching COUNTING ON GRACE to all ages and across all disciplines.

SQUASHED IN THE MIDDLE

Teachers Page

THE CASTLE IN THE ATTIC
THE BATTLE FOR THE CASTLE

Teachers Page
Random House Teachers Guide

THE RED HOT RATTOONS A GREAT READ ALOUD!

In a column called CLASSROOM CONNECTIONS, Rob Reid in Booklinks selects THE RED HOT RATTOONS as a Great Read Aloud. Not to be missed for its "flowing text, engaging storytelling and interesting topics that appeal to a wide range of students."

The FULL CAST AUDIO unabridged version (ISBN #1-932076-47-6) of THE RED-HOT RATTOONS in cassette tape or CD version is available. The author narrates the story while live actors play each of the 79 characters. Ask for it at your local bookstore or you can order it direct at www.fullcastaudio or by calling 1- 800-871-6152.

"The young cast of rattoons proves a fine-tuned troupe, conveying childlike naivete and lots of comic moments...solidly entertaining adaptation of Winthrop's funny and adventure-filled tale." -PUBLISHERS WEEKLY

"The rats of NIMH have nothing on Benny, Fletcher, Ella, Woody and Monk, five young jazz and tap dancing rats who set out for the fabled Big City in hopes of seeing their names in lights. Rat Hollow, which mirrors the thinly disguised New York aboveground, provides a side-splitting backdrop to this engaging tale of life on (and beneath) the boards." -SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL

Many of Elizabeth Winthrop's books can be taught in the Classroom
home the author bookshelf reviews and honors teachers page school visit guide advice for young writers guestbook news & events	A THANK YOU LETTER TO TEACHERS AND LIBRARIANS I do believe that teachers and school librarians are the great unsung heros in our society. I'm trying to tell an important story to children, and without you and the booksellers and parents who encourage reading, my words would never reach that audience. In this visually dynamic age of television and computer interactivity, all I have to offer to children are black words on a white page. Books offer much, but they also demand much in return: the readers' attention and imagination. You are the ones who guide and encourage your students to sit still and listen to the story I'm trying to tell. Simply put, without you, my books would not find such a wide and enthusiasic audience. Without you, children would not know the joys and adventures that lie between the covers of a book. For that and so much more, I thank you. Since THE CASTLE IN THE ATTIC was published I have received hundreds of letters from teachers and librarians like yourselves all over the country telling me how much you enjoy teaching this book in your classrooms and libraries and how happy you were when THE BATTLE FOR THE CASTLE was published. Many of you urged your students to write to me too and I have heard from reluctant readers, speedy readers, boys and girls, owner of dogs, cats, hamsters and iguanas, older sisters and younger brothers, Southerners, Westerners, artists and soccer players and musicians. The letters are often flattering, ("maybe you could come and live wih us"), sometimes begrudging ("I didn't like your book much, but I finished it and it got better in the end"), usually honest ("my parents are divorced and I hate it")* and always a pleasure for me to read. You have also shared with me some of your varied and exciting ideas about teaching my CASTLE books in the classroom. Some of you have sent me photographs of the castles your students have built or the costumes they wore on Medieval Day or the skits they put on in their classrooms. It is both thrilling and humbling for a writer to learn in detail how her book has inspired such enthusiasm and creativity and energy. Now I am finding the same is happening with COUNTING ON GRACE. Here are some ideas of how to teach that book and others of mine in your classroom. Be in touch! COUNTING ON GRACE Teachers Page Vermont Reads Download a comprehensive Curriculum Links Guide for teaching COUNTING ON GRACE to all ages and across all disciplines. SQUASHED IN THE MIDDLE Teachers Page THE CASTLE IN THE ATTIC THE BATTLE FOR THE CASTLE Teachers Page Random House Teachers Guide THE RED HOT RATTOONS A GREAT READ ALOUD! In a column called CLASSROOM CONNECTIONS, Rob Reid in Booklinks selects THE RED HOT RATTOONS as a Great Read Aloud. Not to be missed for its "flowing text, engaging storytelling and interesting topics that appeal to a wide range of students." The FULL CAST AUDIO unabridged version (ISBN #1-932076-47-6) of THE RED-HOT RATTOONS in cassette tape or CD version is available. The author narrates the story while live actors play each of the 79 characters. Ask for it at your local bookstore or you can order it direct at www.fullcastaudio or by calling 1- 800-871-6152. "The young cast of rattoons proves a fine-tuned troupe, conveying childlike naivete and lots of comic moments...solidly entertaining adaptation of Winthrop's funny and adventure-filled tale." -PUBLISHERS WEEKLY "The rats of NIMH have nothing on Benny, Fletcher, Ella, Woody and Monk, five young jazz and tap dancing rats who set out for the fabled Big City in hopes of seeing their names in lights. Rat Hollow, which mirrors the thinly disguised New York aboveground, provides a side-splitting backdrop to this engaging tale of life on (and beneath) the boards." -SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL

Many of Elizabeth Winthrop's books can be taught in the Classroom