10/14/08 - Special ed teacher writes children’s book with its own curriculum

Date: November 14, 2008
Contact: Seth Seymour
seth.seymour@siskin.org
423-648-1709

Special education teacher writes children’s book with its own curriculum
Story about barnyard animals combines fun of reading with development of critical skills

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — A special education teacher at Siskin Children’s Institute has written a children’s book that combines the fun of reading with the development of language, cognitive and social skills.

Betsy Peters wrote Worms Like to Wiggle, a story about barnyard animals, to promote every aspect of learning for all children ages birth to eight years. What makes the book even more unique is that it features its own curriculum, including lesson plans and other materials to assist teachers using the book.

“It’s a book that can stand alone as an enjoyable read, or it can be expanded with a curriculum that’s easy to use in any classroom,” Peters said. “Teachers can take this book and immerse the entire class in it.”

The book allows teachers to address subjects such as science, math, art and language. Teachers can download the curriculum for free from the book’s Web site: www.wormsliketowiggle.com.

To purchase the book or for more information, log on to www.wormsliketowiggle.com. The book costs $12.95, plus shipping.

Peters is holding a book signing Saturday, Nov. 22, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the new Barnes & Noble bookstore in Hamilton Place Mall. Copies of the book will be available for sale.

The author, a Chattanooga native, is working on her master’s degree in early childhood special education, as well as a certificate in autism, from Virginia Commonwealth University. She began teaching at the Institute in August.

About Siskin Children’s Institute
Since 1950, Siskin Children's Institute has served children with special needs, such as autism, developmental delays and Down syndrome. The Institute achieves its mission in a comprehensive way: a quality preschool education where children with disabilities learn together with typically developing children; family support and community outreach programs; innovative research focusing on early childhood development and special education; and in 2009, developmental and behavioral pediatric health care. For more information about Siskin Children’s Institute, log on to www.siskin.org.

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