"18 LIVES: The Adventures of Sam and Emil"
While teaching grammar to 6th graders 20 years ago, even I was bored by the trite lessons provided in the ancient practice books available for the teaching of English usage.
My family at that time included two black cats one of Siamese ancestry, both interesting individuals. Their names have been changed to Sam and Emil. It occurred to me that it would be more fun for me, and perhaps my students, if I used their adventures in lessons. So I began composing "Sam and Emil" exercises.
I started by using "cat" worksheets once or twice a week. At first the students were a little wary, but soon began to look forward to the newest antics of "yowling" Emil and ever-patient Sam. Of course the kids groaned at seeing the worksheets (as kids tend to do), but I soon began to notice that they quickly read the whole page before starting the work required.
I fully intended to make time to put together a workbook with these exercises, but was always too busy. Now retired, I have c hanged my focus to writing a book or series aimed at the young and the "ever-young" like me. I'm hoping some of my former students and perhaps their children will find these "semi-true" tales interesting and bring back some happy memories of "Mrs. Kintner."
I have loved writing of this zany pair and their "true-to-life" adventures, even finding myself chuckling over each ridiculous situation.
Margaret (Kintner) White
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