Linda Bozzo

2017 at LINDENWOLD SCHOOL 4 in Lindenwold, NJ USA

LINDA GIVES KIDS A CHOICE AT LINDENWOLD

Last week I participated in my first Authors for Earth Day school visit. In preparation for my visit students researched five non-profit conservation organizations and created this great bulletin board. Students in grades K–4 created beautiful artwork and displays throughout the school. Individual classrooms added additional projects relating to many of my books.

As a nonfiction author I talk extensively about the research that goes into writing my nonfiction books. This made it easy to tie in the research the students had done. I used the opportunity to introduce one of my new books, When Dolphins Mourn, coming out this August. We talked about the importance of protecting dolphins and their environment so they can survive into the future. Students learned that dolphins' greatest threats come from humans and how we can make their waters a safe place for them to live. I discussed how to keep their environment clean from pollutants like garbage and chemicals that can harm dolphins. It was the perfect topic for my Earth Day visit.

During lunch with a select group of students, we went around the table and discussed which organization each of them voted for and most importantly why they chose that particular organization. What I learned was that they really did their research. They were able to tell me about each of the organizations and they all had good reasons as to why they chose the one they did. I was impressed!

At the end of the day, their fabulous librarian announced which organization received the most votes. You can imagine how thrilled I was when I found out that the Marine Mammal Stranding Center was the winner, by a landslide! So, on behalf of the students at Lindenwold School #4, I'll be donating $450 to this great organization located right here in New Jersey.