Tag Archives: parent support during corona virus outbreak

Sep17

New Picture Book Release: “I Don’t Want to Wear a Mask!” Coronavirus Pandemic Back to School Support

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I have a surprise for everyone. I have written a picture book to help support all the parents and teachers during these strange times. It’s called “I Don’t Want to Wear a Mask!”. It helps children validate their feelings with all the strange routine changes, and models a parent lovingly supporting and validating their little one’s emotional turmoil. With all the different return-to-school programs through out the country, structure and safety is what kids need to help them right now. I wanted to help reassure them, and support their emotional needs.

“Back to School” has never been so difficult. Some school districts are returning to in-person school, some are remaining online with distance learning, and others are doing a combination of both depending on their communities. With so many changes, parents and children need support in adapting to these new structures. So, I wrote a loving and supportive book to help children understand the changes around them.

I targeted the preschooler and kindergartener, even though the book could be read up through third grade. It will hopefully lead to discussions and communication with parents, teachers, and the children that are going through this huge, educational upheaval together.

Tiffany Turner is the author of “I Don’t Want to Wear a Mask!” and head editor/writer of this blog.

I am an elementary teacher that has been writing and self-publishing for children since 2007. I’ve also been a teacher for 20 years. I have a middle reader series, and another self-published picture book called “Pumper the Pumpkin.” For this new book, I hired a fabulous illustrator from Columbia, Natalia Cuno. She captures the beautiful warmth and caring that I wanted to convey with this book.

I invite you to check out the book on Amazon.com. It is available as an ebook for many tablets and the Kindle phone app as well as a print edition. I welcome feedback in its many forms, such as reviews or as comments below in this post. I would love to hear what you think and how your child reacts to the book.

We can all get through this together, and remember to wear a mask.

-Tiffany Turner

Sep3

Day 4: Back to School Blog Tour 2020

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Welcome to Day 4 of the Back to School Blog Tour. I’ve got an inspirational author that is also a teacher and principal. He is going through all the educational changes with parents, students and teachers. Craig Hazen was born and raised in Canada, but has made his home in Australia. He’s an experienced Primary School Principal with a Master’s Degree in Education. He loves to write books that help grow confidence and inspire children with a humorous flair.  

“My Dad is Braver Than Your Dad” is his latest book just released on Sept. 1, 2020. This book tells the story of show and tell in the classroom leading to the bravest dad of all? Can you guess who it might be? Also coming up, Craig’s second novel, Anzac Brothers, will be released by Austin Macauley Publishing later this year. He is excited to share his narrative about resilience and bravery.

I got the chance to talk to Craig about his childhood reading memories, what he does as his writing routine, and what writing means to him.

  1. What is your favorite memory from reading as a child?
Craig Hazen is the author of the children’s book, “My Dad is Braver Than Your Dad”.

Craig Hazen:  As a child I loved reading Canadian author Robert Munsch books because of his insane imagination and how well he developed his characters. The Paper Bag Princess and Mortimer Be Quiet are still two of my favourites to this day.

  •  Do you have a writing routine? Share what works for you.

Craig Hazen: I am normally inspired to write about things that are personal to me or happening in my life. My Dad is Braver than Your Dad was inspired by my job as a school principal and my incredibly strong mother. I am also currently working on My Radioactive Brother which is about dealing with cancer which has sadly impacted by family.

  • What is writing to you in one sentence?

Craig Hazen: Writing is my third space and allows me to reconnect with friends and family.


“My Dad is Braver Than Your Dad” is available at Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com.

Connect with the author by following his Facebook Page.

For today’s supportive materials, I’d like to offer the link to my list of posts and activities that are supportive for parents during these crazy times. From activities to some keeping-sane advice, look over the different posts that other parents/teachers/guardians have found helpful on my blog over the last few months.

Helpful Suggestions for Readings and Activities for Parents

Plus, there are just a few more days to enter the Back to School 2020 Blog Tour Giveaway. Enter by doing simple activities such as tweeting about this blog tour, commenting on how you are enjoying it, and signing up to follow my Facebook page.

ENTER $25 Amazon Gift Card GIVEAWAY HERE!

Tomorrow will be the last day of the blog tour. Please, stop by for the last fabulous children’s author interview, and a very special announcement.

Until then, stay safe and keep reading and writing,

-Mrs. Turner

Mar27

Day 7: The Lost Secret of Fairies Online Novel Study with Distance Learning & Homeschooling Support

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Study Guide Questions for Chapters 11 & 12 for Online Novel Study

Welcome to Day 7 of the online novel study for my novel The Lost Secret of Fairies. We’re nearing the end of the story now, and I hope you have been enjoying the journey with Wanda into the World of Fairy. I also hope you are being safe, locking down with your family, and washing your hands often. It can be hard when something like this pandemic is going on and being inside is the safest thing, but it’s important to stay inside. I know spring is happening outside, but you can go on a daily walk for exercise with your family for many of the lockdowns going on around the United States.

springbee

Spring bee pollinating cherry blossom on my daily walk for exercise today.

Hopefully, your family is able to take exercise walks from time to time. Like PE, it’s important to get some fresh air and exercise daily which is allowed for most of the lockdowns, as long as you keep 6 feet distance from those you don’t live with.

zeta&teddy

Zeta & Teddy look out my front window for kids to spot during a bear hunt neighborhood walk.

 

 

I had a chance to take some pictures of cherry blossoms along my daily exercise walk today. I have leash trained my cat, CATherine Zeta Jones, and she enjoys walks around my condo complex too. We always keep 6 ft. from my neighbors, especially the dog walkers. But we smile and wave at each other. That is still allowed too. Kindness and friendship is important still, but at a distance.

Plus, maybe people have started putting teddy bears in the windows so you can go on a bear hunt with your family. I’ve placed my childhood teddy bear in my window. He’s over 50 years old, and my cat has a new buddy to sit next to while she watches the world through the window. Remember, just like in PE, it’s important to stretch your legs, walk and keep your body in shape. There are even online free dance classes or video games that can get you moving. Here are some links to some free online homeschooling PE activities:

https://freedomhomeschooling.com/health-pe/

Note: Star Jumps are called Jumping Jacks in the US.

 

And now for today’s:

Study Questions for Chapters 11 & 12

  1. summer1Who do you think is the mysterious voice? Use evidence from the text to support your answer.
  2. What kind of magic powers do you think you would have as a Keeper?
  3. Name some obstacles that Wanda had to overcome in the book so far. How do you think they have changed her?
  4. How do you predict the story is going to end?

Bonus: What would you do if you were a Keeper like Wanda?

We’re nearing the end of the novel study, but I’ll continue to post parent distance learning and home schooling support to the blog. Plus, if there are any areas you are interested in seeing, please let me know.

I also am considering posting my Young Author’s Fair Writing Unit that I developed over the years. I was also the coordinator at my school for several years, and would love to support a Young Authors Fair online if people were interested. Kids can write stories through the online unit, and as part of the fair, they can read their stories on YouTube, and I’ll link them on the site. At the end, I can post a downloadable certificate of completion.

What do people think? Would your child like to participate? Would they like to write a story and then read it in a YouTube video to share with others? Of course, the reading would be voluntary just like it was in my classroom, and of course, only with parent permission.

Just a thought I wanted to put out there to see what you think.

Until next time, keep reading and writing!

-Mrs. Turner

**Tiffany Turner is the author of the children’s fantasy series, The Crystal Keeper Chronicles. She is a credentialed teacher in California and has had 18 years of public classroom experience. She currently is semi-retired from teaching and spends her day writing. Of course, her cat still gets lots of attention and the daily walks on her leash.