Next Tuesday, January 12, and again next Thursday, January 14, I’m offering educators two afterschool sessions of a special webinar based on my book What Do You Do with a Voice Like That? The Story of Extraordinary Congresswoman Barbara Jordan. The fee for either is just $9, but space is limited.

Register here for Tuesday’s session.

Register here for Thursday’s session.

The details:

What can educators do with a picture book biography, like the one of Texas hero Barbara Jordan written by Austin author Chris Barton?

A 2020-21 Texas Bluebonnet Award Master List book, WHAT DO YOU DO WITH A VOICE LIKE THAT? (illustrated by Ekua Holmes) offers teachers several opportunities to draw connections between their students’ efforts and those of two fellow Texans.

In this after-school webinar, Chris will discuss his work in researching, writing, revising, and collaborating on the story of Houston native Barbara Jordan’s career as a legislator and educator. He’ll also reflect on the ways that both he and Barbara Jordan grew and developed their natural gifts — for writing and speaking, respectively — and on how students can do the same with their own talents.

Material covered will include:

  • pre-reading questions for students to consider
  • post-reading activities to deepen students’ engagement
  • an overview of the book’s connections to elementary Social Studies TEKS
  • an overview of the book’s connections to elementary Writing TEKS
  • answers to YOUR questions about the book
  • plus, a curated set of supplemental materials that will be provided after the webinar

A recording of this webinar, including a student-ready reading of WHAT DO YOU DO WITH A VOICE LIKE THAT? performed by the author himself, will be available through the end of January to all who register. And one registrant — maybe you — will be the lucky winner of a signed and personalized copy of the book.

Librarians, writing instructors, and social studies specialists, don’t miss this opportunity to connect with three-time Texas Bluebonnet Award Master List author — and lifelong Texan — Chris Barton!