#50PreciousWords 2026

This past Tuesday, I woke up to some exciting news…I was a prize winner on Vivian Kirkfield’s #50PreciousWords writing contest! This is a contest I have been participating in for a few years. I have had the honor of receiving two honorable mentions previously, but was never a prize winner. My story, ANNIE MOORE: THE FIRST TO ARRIVE placed 10th out of 667 entries! This was especially exciting because this is a topic I have been thinking about since my visit to Ellis Island last summer. There, I saw a statue of a young girl named Annie Moore, who came over to America from Ireland with her two brothers. She was the first immigrant to be processed through Ellis Island. Her parents were already in America and she was coming over to meet them. Her story was so compelling to me, I had to write about her for the contest!

As previously mentioned, I’ve participated in this contest before. It has been my favorite writing contest over the years. To write a story with a beginning, middle and end in 50 words takes careful and deliberate planning. You’ve got to make every word count! I love it because it has made me consider every word I place in my manuscripts as well. Although I have never been a prize winner before, I love participating and challenging myself year after year. I’d like to also note that I've participated in many other contests over the years as well and I have not always been a winner. So writers, if you weren't selected this year, KEEP GOING! I am living proof that if you don't give up, keep writing, keep revising, keep submitting and putting yourself out there, your yes is coming too!

And now, here is ANNIE MOORE: THE FIRST TO ARRIVE

Farewell, Ireland.

Slán.

A new life awaits.

Annie grabs her brothers’ trembling hands,

and boards the ship.

Two weeks at sea.

Freezing. Starving.

Worth it.

Finally…

Sky-high towers and a statue appear.

Cheers. Tears.

America!

Annie makes the first immigrant footprints

across Ellis Island.

But she wonders…

Are they welcome?

Trust Me! You have to read DON’T TRUST FISH!

This past week, my first graders started a nonfiction animal unit where they get to choose an animal to study and research. In the beginning of the unit, I like to find read alouds that introduce the five main animal groups to help the students decide what animal they will choose. Reading Neil Sharpson and Dan Santat’s DON’T TRUST FISH was a perfect way to start off the animal unit this year. I love how we get a basic (and humorous) introduction to the animal groups while hilariously diving into the tomfoolery of fish. We had a great class discussion on the genre of this book. Is it fiction? Nonfiction? A little of both, is what we decided. We laughed a TON while learning facts about fish at the same time. I will be happy to read this book to my students every year at the beginning of the animal unit.

Now the question is, will any students choose to study fish, or will they take the author’s advice? Don’t trust fish!!!!

My Favorite Back to School Picture Books

As we approach the end of the summer, it’s time for me to dust off my bin of September "Back to School Books”. I love starting off the school year teaching my first graders about kindness, respect, rules and more!

Here are some of my go-to picture books read-alouds for back to school.

1) FIRST DAY JITTERS by Julie Danneberg and Judy Love

There is a spectrum of feelings that students usually have on the first day of school… excited, nervous, happy, scared… etc.

We follow the story of how one classmate’s anxious first day feelings influence her day. But which student could it be.. if it’s even a STUDENT at all? This surprise ending always has all the kids laughing.

2) PEANUT BUTTER AND CUPCAKE by Terry Border

The beginning of the year can be daunting for some students— it’s hard to make new friends! But if Peanut butter can make an unlikely friend—- CUPCAKE— so can anyone!

3) YOU GET WHAT YOU GET by Julie Glassman and Sarah Horne

I use this book to teach about BIG vs. small problems and the life lesson of dealing with disappointment.

4) DAVID GOES TO SCHOOL by David Shannon

Kids love to laugh at the silly things David does at school. This book is a great conversation starter for generating our own classroom rules.

5) WE DON’T EAT OUR CLASSMATES by Ryan T. Higgins

Poor Penelope Rex. She loves school and the delicious kids who go there! If only you were allowed to eat your classmates! Penelope learns a valuable lesson about friendship in this back to school favorite.

6) MISS NELSON IS MISSING by Harry Allard and James Marshall

This is a back-to-school classic. Just like DAVID GOES TO SCHOOL, I like to read this and then have my class generate a list of classroom expectations that we can all live by for the year.

7) THE PIGEON HAS TO GO TO SCHOOL by Mo Willems

Pigeon never expected school to be so fun!

8) PROPER BADGER WOULD NEVER TRASH THE CLASSROOM! by Lauren Glattly and Rob Sayegh Jr.

Would he?

9) HOW TO GET YOUR TEACHER READY by Jean Reagan and Lee Wildish

Teacher is not ready for school? Impossible! Students can build their confidence for school by helping their teacher.

10) OUR CLASS IS A FAMILY by Shannon Olsen and Sandie Sonke

This story reminds students that school is not JUST for learning information, but for recognizing how to care about other people and to build relationships based on respect and understanding, no matter what race, color, religion, size or gender we are— just like in our families at home.