Zoom Visit from Eric Rohmann & Candace Fleming
Shenandoah University’s School of Education class RDG 523 (Foundations of Literacy) – taught by Chair of the Department of Education Studies, Director of the Children’s Literature Program, and Professor of Curriculum and Instruction Karen Huff, Ed.D. and Mary Tedrow ’99, M.Ed., NBCT – was surprised by a Zoom visit from author and illustrator Eric Rohmann and author Candace Fleming! The visitors shared insights on the importance of sharing nonfiction books with children and discussed their newest collaboration, “Honeybee: The Busy Life of Apis Mellifera.”
Fleming reminded the teachers that good nonfiction tells a story and it is the story, not a list of facts that make the reader care enough to take action. By writing this book, she hoped that children would begin to ask questions and seek out more information about the plight of the honeybee and possibly take action by planting bee-friendly plants and sharing information with adults. Rohmann, who won the Caldecott Medal in 2003, illustrated the book with exquisite realistic oil paintings providing the child with a close up look at a honeybee.
It is not every day that your doorbell rings and you find two award-winning authors and illustrators waiting to discuss their books with you. I am confident that in the fall, teachers in the group will be sharing books by these authors with their students and telling the story about the day that Candace Fleming and Eric Rohmann stopped by for a visit.”
Karen Huff
Zoom Visit from Oge Mora
For the last class meeting of the spring ’20 RDG 523 graduate class, Dr. Huff and Tedrow surprised their students by having author/illustrator Oge Mora join their Zoom class session.
A rising star in the field of children’s literature, Mora was awarded a 2019 Caldecott Honor for her debut picture book, “Thank You, Omu!”
She showed the students her studio, discussed her multiple, award-winning books and shared information about her new book to be released next spring. She was funny, inspiring and kind, leaving the students (thirty local teachers) feeling excited to share her books with the students in their classrooms. Watch as Mora reads her book “Saturday” at # Operation Storytime.
“Saturday” is a great read during this time. It serves as a reminder that even though we can’t control what is happening right now, we can control how we respond. You may find yourself thinking about the line that Mora repeats throughout the story. “They paused, closed their eyes, and-whew!-let out a deep breath.”
Share this video with a young reader you love. It may make both of you feel better.
RDG 523 | Foundations of Literacy class
The Foundations of Literacy class is team-taught by Huff and Tedrow.
The class is made up of 30 teachers from:
- Clarke County Public Schools
- Frederick County Public Schools
- Winchester Public Schools
- Warren County Public Schools
