A House Reunited

Joined in respect at the cemetery

Our Civil War teaches lessons still, important ones about honor, sacrifice and the price of freedom for all. Teachers and re-enactors created a dynamic civics classroom at San Lorenzo Park on May 12th. The students of Chalone Peaks Middle School entered it with energy and intelligence. They emerged with experiences they’ll remember their entire lives, experiences that will be the seeds of good citizenship. We began our day at King City Cemetery by honoring Civil War veterans buried there. Students read “Shiloh”, a great poem by Herman Melville. President Lincoln offered remarks about the difficult, crucial service the soldiers rendered. A rifle volley and taps ended our ceremony. We then marched on to battles, seminars and the Gettysburg Address.

Dave Park took great photos of the day. Please enjoy his work and the efforts of our students.

On the march

Honoring those who served

Skirmish

They’re here!

Cannon Fire

Pickett’s charge on the 3rd day of Gettysburg

 Meeting the charge

Joined hands at war’s end

Flower Tumbles is now a Kindle title!

The Esselen Tribe lived in southern Monterey County near the headwaters of the Arroyo Seco River for many thousands of years. As with most of California’s Native Americans, their way of life disappeared – along with most of them – in the 19th and early 20th Centuries. This story is set before the great disruptions and attempts to offer a glimpse of Esselens as they once were. Its unlikely hero is a young boy who confronts one of the greatest dangers to his small tribe – an engraged grizzly bear.

Art Salvagno and I had a great time working on this story back in 1981 and again when we revised it in 1995. Ed Haskell offered patient and indispensable service in creating this Kindle edition. Sadly, we had to lose some of Art’s great double-page illustrations when converting the story to the required format. We’ll tinker with our effort in coming months and try to wedge some of the drawings back in – I promise!

By the by, Flower Tumbles won the Salinas Californian’s 1981 John Steinbeck Award for best fiction – not too shabby!

It’s free on Kindle unlimited and otherwise $2.99. Here’s the Amazon link:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06Y5NSHX4/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1491901764&sr=1-1&keywords=flower+tumbles+walton

Teacher Pals, here’s a link to  lesson plans posted on TPT. They’re good, if I do say so myself!

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Flower-Tumbles-lessons-and-activities-for-the-Steinbeck-Award-winning-story-3115748

Dawn Drums ( A must read book)

Honored poet Hardeep Sabharwal offered a review of Dawn Drums on his blog. I’m most pleased to share it with you!

Abraham Lincoln speaks with Chalone Peaks students.

 

Source: Dawn Drums ( A must read book)

Principia Ponderosa is out!

Principia Ponderosa (Third Flatiron Anthologies Book 18) just came out today. “Welcome to the “Principia Ponderosa,” land of wide-open spaces and
dark dreams. This new anthology from Third Flatiron features 17
stories that combine elements of the Western with other literary
genres, including steampunk, fantasy, occult, and horror. We invite
you to mount up and ride with us into the sunset.” My “La Loca” is included, though it takes place somewhat after sunset!

Authors Shine at Sol Treasures

Meet the artist events at Sol Treasures – intimate and collaborative – often blur the lines between presenters and audience. Such was the case on Friday evening when John Miller and I shared our books with a lively group of friends and visitors. John offered a concise though wide-ranging context for his bestseller Minecraft Lab for Kids. It was fun to see illumination bloom on attentive faces as he revealed the power of this new learning-through-play technology. I was pleased to offer a Presidents’ Day reading from my Dawn Drums. We cannot hear enough about Abraham Lincoln these days – we just can’t.

John and I have collaborated in teaching for decades. May it always be so!

P.S. Note my “Lemon Tree” shirt. Thanks, Kerry’s Mom! Your artistry endures!

Authors at Sol Treasures

John Miller and I will host kids, teachers and parents at Sol Treasures in King City on Friday evening from four to six. We’ll tell stories, talk about literacy and reveal great secrets about writing. Please come out and join us if you’re near – or even if you’re far! Wine, refreshments and good cheer will be shared.

Sale for Teachers on TPT!

Teachers Pay Teachers is a great classroom resource. The site is holding a sale tomorrow and Tuesday. I’m sharing the news and offering a $10 gift certificate to the first person who views and comments on one of my units. I’ve got 33 posted – most are free – and something must appeal. Just send me a message through this blog or on the TPT site and I’ll send you the confirmation code. You might start with Lincoln:

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-Emancipation-Proclamation-a-common-core-introduction-2786613