Talking about Trauma in Middle Reader Fiction
An Interview with author and educator Kimberly Behre Kenna
Both of Kenna’s protagonists have experienced trauma. Seedlings sat down to talk with the author about how she approaches the topic of trauma when talking to students about her books. Kenna is a long-time 5th-grade educator and the author of Jett Jamison and the Secret Storm, and Artemis Sparke and the Sound Seekers Brigade.
More from our interview...
Jett Jamison and the Secret Storm
All Jett Jamison wants is a little peace from her active household and the traumatic memories in her head. Seedlings chatted with author and educator Kimberly Behre Kenna to learn more about about Jett Jamison and the Secret Storm and what inspired her to write it.
Artemis Sparke and the Sound Seekers Brigade
Twelve-year-old Artemis Sparke conjures up help from deceased ecologists to save a Long Island Sound salt marsh from certain death, but chaos ensues in her tourist town when she discovers that her mother’s boyfriend’s hotel is part of the problem.
Field Trips: Keeping it Simple and Local
In an interview with Kimberly Behre Kenna, author and a long-time 5th-grade educator, she talks about connecting places to curriculum and using those locales to connect learning to students’ lived experiences.
“I Need a Break” Classroom Activities from Author and Fifth-Grade Educator Kimberly Behre Kenna
We all have those times when we need a short “fall-back” activity in our pocket to give us or our students a quick break in order to get back to originally scheduled programming. Educator and author Kim Behre Kenna offers up some of her favorites in this interview.
ELA, STEAM, Social Studies, and Other Curricular Areas for the Brave Girls Book Series
Author and educator Kimberly Behre Kenna has compiled activities grouped by a variety of curricular areas, including ELA, STEAM, Social Studies, and more.
Ideas for Teaching Writing to Elementary School Students
Author and educator Kimberly Behre Kenna offers up some ideas for teaching writing, writing prompts, writing-related activities, and encouraging peer editing.
