How Many Teachers Can A Megalodon Consume?

Imagine shark jaws measuring 10 feet wide and 8 feet tall, filled with 6-7 inch teeth! These massive choppers belonged to Carcharodon megalodon, the prehistoric cousin of the Great White, a shark that makes "JAWS" look like a guppy. The jaws, built and owned by fossil hunter Vito Bertucci (the teeth are all real) were on display at this year's National Education Association (NEA) convention in New Orleans, the largest gathering of teachers in the country.

Adopt-An-Author developed when middle and high school teachers realized MEG and other Alten novels were very popular among students. Steve soon responded by offering free curriculum to teachers and interactive websites to the students. The program also enables teachers and students to interact with the author through conference calls in the classroom, visitations, and e-mails (Steve personally responds to every e-mail he receives). Alten explains, Teachers have been amazed at how well their students have taken to Adopt-An-Author. The combination of exciting novels and direct contact with the author adds a whole new dimension to learning." Altens background is in academics; he earned a Doctorate in Education and is certified to teach.

Steves novels are filled with science facts and research. His most recent novel, GOLIATH, (now out in mass paperback in) deals with nuclear proliferation and the threat of biological weapons. Booklist reviewed, Alten offers readers, particularly young adults, much to think about, morally and politically." Though GOLIATH was written before 9/11, much of what has happened since occurs in the story.

Since 1975, a six-fold increase in funding has gone into our educational system and yet, NAEP reading test scores reflect no significant difference. Adopt-An-Author is only on its third year, with well over 1,500 schools (over 30,000 students) enrolled in the program nationwide and making a significant difference. Perhaps the real challenge is to simply make reading fun.

While Adopt-An-Author grew from the huge response to Altens books, the program also recommends exciting books written by various authors, which helps teachers educate their students in other academic areas.