Patricia Polacco and Passion

To watch a person do what they love is a wonderful thing. When Patricia Polacco visited our school on Monday, she expressed her passion for story-telling. Then she proceeded to hold her audience in the palm of her hand as she told the tales of Natasha and the doll that taught her a lesson (Babushka's Doll), her childhood quilt made of clothing scraps of her relatives (The Keeping Quilt), and the day the falling star landed in her front yard (Meteor). She was mesmerizing. Inspiring. Over the course of the day, I witnessed Patricia physically and emotionally touch every single child in our school, which is quite a feat given that we have 1200 students.









31 comments:

  1. How inspiring! It's amazing how one person can captivate the attention of so many. I'm constantly amazed at the authors who come to speak at our school. Oh, what I would do to hear Patricia Polacco speak. I'm jealous!

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  2. Amazing that Palacco was at your school. Lucky kids - lucky teachers! The faces in those pictures say it all!

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    1. Patricia lives in Union City, Michigan which isn't too far from our school. Did you know she only travels by train? Her visit to our district was two years in the making.

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  3. Wow! Patricia Polacco came to your school?!! She is amazing. Thanks for sharing so beautifully. Your pictures captured the moment, too.

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  4. Patricia came to our school three years ago. She is amazing. The students were so eager to touch the meteor before they left.

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    1. I know what you mean! Even had our 5th and 6th graders laughing and talking about how they felt something in their hand when they touched the meteor. Just magical. :)

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  5. I first saw her at a NYS reading conference about 20 years ago - she brought the group of about 300 teachers and vendors to tears. I saw her last year at my school - she's still got the gift - and she has MORE stories to tell!

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  6. I have never seen her and she has not been to our school but now that the train is expanding to us...I can hope! Your piece made me want to be one of the kids at your school.

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  7. Wow, that's so great that you had Patricia Polacco at your school! I wish we could get some authors over here to Korea. That's amazing to hear that she was able to touch the lives of all the children at your school. It sounds like you kids will remember this moment for the rest of their lives.

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  8. I have been lucky enough to have seen her twice - once at my daughter's school many years ago, and then when "Mr. falker" was first published, so I know the power of her presence. My favorite moment both times was when she brought out the keeping quilt. I cried both times.

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  9. My students chose Patricia Polacco as their favorite author for a Book Week. They found her inspirational even without meeting her in person. Lucky, lucky, lucky you. I am afraid that Estonia is a a bit too far to come. We watched some interviews with her from internet, but it is not the same. I am happy for you and your students.

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  10. "To watch a person do what they love is a wonderful thing" - You are right, and I never thought of it that way. What a great privilege to listen to Patricia Polacco!

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  11. Thank you for sharing the pictures and telling of the day. What an awesome experience for your kids and staff. I am envious.

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  12. I have always loved Patricia Polacco's books and children always do, too. So wonderful that such an amazing story-teller was close enough to visit your school. On another note, "To watch a person do what they love is a wonderful thing" - YES! We can all shine and touch others when we're doing what we love.

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  13. Patricia Polacco is one of my favorite authors. I have a lot of her books in my classroom. You are so lucky to have had her at your school..

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  14. Oh my to be in the presence of Patricia Polacco. I read at least one of her books to my elementary strategies class each semester. Her words take hold of a college class and make all pause and reflect.

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  15. The pictures say it all. Thank you for sharing them with us.

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  16. I've heard her once at an IRA convention...amazing life and writer. I know I would look like the kinders if I had a chance again to hear her talk. xo TGIF nanc

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  17. Oh, I know what you mean! She is amazing! I heard her once myself! I'm so glad she came to your school. It's wonderful that your students had that opportunity! Enjoy! Thanks for sharing! Happy Slicing! :)

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  18. I would LOVE to hear Patricia Polacco speak in person some day. How wonderful that she came to your school. What a treat that she brought the quilt too!

    Thanks for sharing this with us, Diana.

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  19. Wow! I am jealous. What an experience. Thanks for sharing it.

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  20. She is amazing. I live in Michigan so I have had the pleasure of book signings, school visits and conferences. Everytime she talks I am hypnotized by her "passion!" She is a wonder! Thanks for reminding me why I love her and her stories so much.

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  21. She is absolutely one of my all time favorites. Really happy that you and all your students got to experience this wonderful time with her.

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  22. Jealous! What an amazing experience!

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  23. Patricia is my hero. Wish I could have heard her. She's amazing. I had the priviledge of finally meeting her 4 years ago when she was Barnes & Noble. An amazing story teller! Love the pictures.

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  24. Wow! I am jealous! What an amazing author to teach kids that they have the makings of a story in their own lives!

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  25. We recently had an author visit from Erik Brooks so it was fun to hear about how much these authors are able to touch children and inspire them.

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  26. Just like everyone else. I love her and am jealous you got to see her in person. Wow. Lucky you, lucky kids

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  27. I was fortunate enough to hear her speak several years ago. I agree with you, she is an inspiration! I read MY ROTTEN RED-HEADED OLDER BROTHER to my middle school students as a prompt to get them writing stories about their siblings or other relatives. I love that Patricia's stories come from her life.

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  28. How do you spell "Jealous, envious" let me think of some other synonyms. I know there must be an app for that. LOL.

    What a marvelous opportunity for all your students and staff. I really like her books. Maybe some day I will have the opportunity to meet her in person. Thank you for sharing.

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