{Meet the Author} Amanda from Teaching Maddeness

Hi everyone!  It's Amanda Madden from Teaching Maddeness.  I always feel it's necessary to put my last name so you'll understand that the name of my blog is a play on my name - and not just think that I can't spell. :)


I am so excited to be a part of this new collaborative blog that is geared toward grades 2 and 3.  I've taught 2nd grade for 16 years now {geez...did I just put that in writing??} and think it is the absolute best age EVER!  How could you not love their enthusiasm for learning??  I am National Board Certified in Early Childhood {just renewed that last year - whew!} and have my Masters in divergent learning.  You could say that I love being a student, as well as a teacher!

I feel blessed to have spent my entire teaching career in 2nd grade, but I often feel that 2nd grade gets "lost" in workshops and inservices, as it doesn't really fit with K/1 but usually gets lumped in with them anyway!  I love the idea of putting grades 2 and 3 together for a collaborative blog and know that you will learn a ton from the other AMAZING authors here!

Now, to tell you a little bit more about myself.  I am a strong believer that a picture is worth a thousand words, so I hope this little collage of pics will help me out.

I am a southern girl, born and raised, but am actually more of a city-girl at heart.  I live in upstate South Carolina with my husband, a cat, and two Boxers.  I am a sports fanatic and can be found at all of the home games for my Carolina Gamecocks during football season.  My husband and I love to attend concerts and go to many each year.  Right now, I'm looking forward to Bruno Mars {in August} and Maroon 5 (again) {in September}.  We also LOVE Halloween...I would probably keep my house decorated and throw on random costumes year-round if it were acceptable! ;)  I'll jump at any chance to throw a themed-party!  I have a love for adrenaline sports, not shared by my husband, and LOVE to skydive, bungee jump, parasail, rock climb...I'll try most anything!  I'm a super girlie girl who loves to wear dresses and high-heels.  I put jalapenos on everything.  I read as much as possible and watch WAY too much reality television.

I hope you've been enjoying all of the fantastic freebies being shared during the "Meet the Authors" series here...I know I have! :)  I have another exclusive freebie for you that I hope you will be able to use in your classroom.  Speaking of "Meet the Authors"....


I LOVE to teach reading and will take any chance I get to do a read-aloud in my classroom.  I set aside a "read-aloud" time in my schedule each day, even though I actually read books all throughout the day in the subjects I'm teaching.  Each month, in my scheduled "read-aloud time", I read aloud at least one chapter book, but I also take the time during our read-aloud block to focus on one author each month.  As we read books by that author, we talk about the author's "fingerprints" - the things that the author does that sets his/her work apart from other authors.  As we focus on each author, we create a little bulletin board of the things we discover.  These "Meet the Authors" signs are a great starting point for the bulletin board and give the students a glimpse of what the author looks like and provides a little background information on them.  You would be surprised at how often the authors' "fingerprints" start showing up in students' writing - whether it be onomatopoeia inspired by Robert Munsch, detailed borders inspired by Jan Brett, or voice inspired by Mo Willems!  It makes my heart happy! :)

This pack of "Meet the Authors Signs" contains 10 authors, as shown below.  Click on either of the images to download the freebie!

If you would like Pack #1 that I previously shared on my personal blog, you can click here to snag those, too!  I look forward to this exciting new venture for grades 2 and 3 and can't wait to share more ideas with you!

I'd love to have you come follow my blog, Teaching Maddeness, by clicking below.



37 comments

  1. These are AWESOME--I got both Pack 1 and 2. I teach third grade--any chance you'll be making a pack in the future with more chapter book writers? Thanks SO much for sharing!

    Deanna http://facingthefrenzy.blogspot.com/

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    1. Thanks, Deanna! I am always open to adding new authors! You can send me an email at amandamadden@me.com with your suggestions and I'll add them to the list for the next pack! ;)

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  2. Thanks Amanda, I love these and now I have enough for each one of my students to do an author study :)

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    1. Oh, now see...this is exactly why I love sharing....what a great idea for a way to use them, friend! :)

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  3. Once again a fabulous freebie! I just love all your stuff and am so glad I found y'all's blog!

    Sabra
    Teaching with a Touch of Twang

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    1. We're so glad you found the blog, too, Sabra! We look forward to sharing lots of ideas here!

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  4. Thanks for the Author Sign freebies. I love to give my kids a little background when we read, so this will be perfect. Thanks so much for sharing! Sara

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    1. You're welcome, Sara! I hope the signs are helpful.

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  5. Thanks for the Author Sign freebies. I picked up both packs. Moving back to second this year (yay!!!) and I am so excited. I was planning to do an author study each month and these packs just made my life so much easier!! I started following you on bloglovin, too!

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    1. Wonderful, Melissa! We love it when we can make another teacher's life just a tad easier! See you around. :)

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  6. Thanks, Amanda. I can't wait to get started on an author study. These are perfect! And PS--Maroon 5?! Adam Levine in. the. flesh. So jealous! I'd surely die!

    Kerry

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    1. Row SIX girl. Eye contact. Can I just tell you that I almost died?? I'm pretty sure I left drool all over my seat. ;) Hope you enjoy the author signs!

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  7. These posters are fabulous, Amanda! So perfect for my classroom library! And you even included Tomie dePaola, my all time favorite author!

    Linda
    AroundtheKampfire

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    1. So glad you will be able to use them, Linda. I definitely thought of you when I added that Tomie dePaola poster to the set. :)

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  8. Thanks Amanda for your author studies sign packs! I picked up both of them. I LOVE all the authors you have chosen to highlight! Have fun at your concerts!!!

    Lisa

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  9. I just picked up both of your author studies sign packs! There are awesome!!! You highlighted some of my favorite authors including Robert Munsch. Thank you for these great freebies! I'm already a follower.
    Yashika
    somewherebetweenfirstandthird.blogspot.com

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    1. Don't you just LOVE him, Yashika!? Did you know that if your class writes letters to him, he'll write back and send lots of goodies, including an unpublished book with YOUR KIDS' names in the story!? He's amazing! :)

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  10. These packs are fantastic! They will be so great to display near my library area. I know the kiddos will love reading about their favorite authors. Thank you so much for sharing!

    Lindsay
    Live Laugh & Learn in Second Grade

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    1. You're welcome, Lindsay! I hope your kiddos get just as excited to learn more about each author as mine do! :)

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  11. Wow! What a fabulous freebie, Amanda! I'm excited to use these as part of my author's study display with my third graders this year. I appreciate the link to your other set as well. I'll be following you on Bloglovin' ASAP! :o)

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  12. I LOVE these! Thank you so much! I think kids sometimes forget that authors are real people! :)

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    1. Yes! They really do, and I love providing them with fun little facts that remind them!

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  13. Thanks for the author pack! I went to your blog to get the other one too! These are great and I'm super excited about this new blog and all the fabulous contributors!
    A Tall Drink of Water

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    1. You're welcome, Rachel! There are some amazing teacher/bloggers here...I'm excited to have them all in one place, too! :)

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  14. These posters are awesome! These will be great for author studies! I am thinking of placing these posters in protective sheets inside a binder near my library. This way students can explore on there own and find authors they can connect with. Very cool!
    Thank you!
    Teaching 3rd with Mr. G
    Follow me on Bloglovin

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    1. That's another GREAT idea for using them! Thanks for sharing it...I may put my in a binder and pull them from there to "showcase." :)

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  15. Love these! I might just have to put these on the wall above my classroom library! :)

    -Courtney
    2ndgradesnapshots.blogspot.com

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  16. These posters are awesome! Thank you for the freebie!

    Julie
    TheHipTeacher

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  17. Thanks for the freebie!! So, how was the NBCT renewal process?? I'll be there in a 5 years!

    Live Laugh and Love to Learn

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  18. Thank you so much for the wonderful freebie! It's absolutely perfect...I also grabbed a copy from your blog and am your newest follower. I can't express how excited I am to use your resources this fall. THANK YOU!

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  19. I absolutely love these! What a fabulous freebie. Would you consider adding Leo Lionni in the future, possibly?
    Thanks Bunches,
    Colleen
    Totally Terrific in Texas

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  20. I have both packs and they are amazing! We also study Mike Thaler of the Black Lagoon Series. He has other books also such as The Bully Brothers and Hippo Lemonade, for example. Would you consider adding him into the next pack?

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  21. These are amazing! Thank you so much for the freebies! I also like to read the Anansi books, retold by Eric A. Kimmel. The kids love the stories and it's a great opportunity to talk about the differences between writing an original story and retelling a story.

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