Fourth graders at Central Elementary School in Waynesville enjoyed a Skype session with the famous author, Liesl Shurtliff.  She is the writer of Rump, a fractured fairy tale taken from Grimm’s classic, Rumpelstiltskin.   As Mrs. Shurtliff sat comfortably in her Chicago home, Central students were given the opportunity to ask her questions about her writing process, publishing, and questions about the story itself.  Although, one student spoke to her at a time, all eyes were glued to the Smartboard in amazement of this unique opportunity.

Immediately following the Skype session, students participated in follow up activities.  The book is focused around Rump discovering his full name and the meaning behind it, his destiny.  Students researched the meaning behind their individual names.  They also held discussions about the reading while eating “sludge” as mentioned in Shurtliff’s book.  This was a great opportunity for students to connect their work as writers with the work of a published author.

Submitted by:  Anita Painter, Central Elementary School