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About Us
Marie and Kim coauthor the Draw Write Now series, this website and the Teaching Tips Newsletters.
Marie Hablitzel
At the beginning of my teaching career, I gave my students many opportunities to draw, but some were hesitant to draw or simply stated, "I can't draw." So, individually, I showed them how to look at an object and draw it. As the school year progressed, I found that the entire class became quiet as I gave drawing tips to an individual or a small group. Some of my suggestions showed up in the pictures of the students who were already comfortable with drawing. I realized I was already giving drawing instruction to the entire class, so I started integrating drawing lessons into my curriculum. I kept the subject in my drawings simple, presented the material as part of a unit study, and found that my students' background drawings and their discussion reflected an understanding of the material.
Throughout my career, I continued to add drawing lessons to the curriculum. Eventually, I had a lesson for every day of the school year. The children and I made a drawing every morning as we studied science, history, social studies, and geography.
The lessons became the foundation of my language arts curriculum. Some of my second grade students needed help with basic letter formation and sentence structure. English was a new language for some of my students. To help everyone, I copied four sentences onto the chalkboard, describing and modeling the formation of the letters, punctuation, and spacing. The children who were already competent writers worked at their own pace and focused on neatly copying the sentences. This daily practice improved everyone's writing speed and legibility. It made a huge difference in their ability to complete the other assignments I gave throughout the day.
I found that beginning the school day with a drawing lesson and handwriting practice gave everyone a feeling of success and a positive start. The children carefully listened and followed directions throughout the school day. There were so many times in the school day that required that I be strict with my large classes. Having something fun, like drawing together or playing games outdoors, motivated my students to do their best work.
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Marie Hablitzel
Marie Hablitzel began teaching in 1942 and taught second grade for most of her career at Gerber Elementary School and Los Molinos Elementary School near Red Bluff, California. She retired from teaching in 1982, but continued to give her drawing and writing lessons each week to Virginia Crockett's first and second grade students at Community Christian School in Red Bluff up until 2002. She wrote the eight-book Draw Write Now series between 1992 and 2002.
Marie and her husband, Bob Hablitzel, raised six children, have 10 grandchildren, and a growing number of great-grandchildren. She went on three-mile walks almost every day, taught the 5-year-old Sunday School class at her church, and was a humble celebrity in her small community. Marie passed away in 2007.
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A tribute to Marie Hablitzel
by Kim Stitzer
 Marie Hablitzel, my mother and co-author, passed away earlier this year (2007). Everyone who knew her acknowledged her special way with children. It shone through in children's artwork.
Shortly after her death, I was in town taking care of errands, and while paying for groceries, noticed a wall near the front door of the store covered with cute children's drawings of octopi. On my way out, I stopped to have a closer look, and realized, 'Hey, that's Mom's octopus lesson from Book 6!' It picked up my spirits. Seeing those drawings would have been enough for me, but when I went to the bank, there were children's drawings of bright flowers in the foyer. Again, it was my mother's lesson from Book 3. Leaving the parking lot, I saw more drawings in the appliance store window -- the Gingerbread Boy lesson from Book 1. Our local retailers were displayng the school children's artwork, because March is Children's Art Month. The bank clerk had another explanation. She said the drawings were little angels all over town.
One of my brothers noted that the Draw Write Now series is a tribute to our mother's many years in the classroom. There is another tribute -- each child's drawing is a tribute to Marie's challenging, encouraging teaching style. I am forever thankful that her lessons could be shared with so many children, teachers and parents.
I often told my mother that my mission was to pass along her work. I am fortunate to have the opportunity to observe the way she interacted with children and to discuss lesson ideas with her. I am dedicated to sharing her love of teaching and to continue the work she started so many years ago.
Photo with the Draw Write Now series (2001) -- Marie Hablitzel (in blue sweater), the featured author at a community festival with her granddaughter and daughter.
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