Author Visits

~All presentations are one class period and include an interactive reading of the book, optional PowerPoint show for larger view of the pages, and a Q & A.  Throughout the reading, the presentation will be geared toward the topic of your choice as listed below.  (Extension to delve deeper into the topics below is an option.  This can be done by simply adding more periods.)  An order form for children to purchase books is to be sent out previous to visit.
Topics to Pick From: 
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 1. Growth Mindset/School Counseling
  • you can do hard things
  • hard work pays off
  • perseverance, self-esteem, mindfulness
  • text-to-self, text-to-text and text-to-world connections
  • mistakes are proof that you are trying

2. Figurative Language 
  • simile, metaphor, strong adjectives
  • Journey Through the Five Senses. All five senses are written about in the negative when Kaci is nervous and then turned around to the positive once she remembers her hard work and confidence.  Finding the opposites in the book like pages 10 vs. 23.

3. Creative Writing 
  • Plot Mountain: characters, setting, rising action, climax, falling action, solution
  • Beginning-Middle-End
  • Somebody/Wanted/But/So/Then
  • Memoir Writing, Personal Essay, Write What You Know, Personal Writing Territories

4.  Art
  • An art lesson based on the mixed-media backgrounds in the book.  The students will create a work of art using paints, found objects and stencils.  Then they will adhere a positive word or phrase of affirmation to complete the piece.  Discussions include that of the techniques used and of how color and images reflect the mood/theme of the piece.
  • Collage
  • When Two Artists Collaborate.  Two students will work together to create one piece of art that combines two different styles.  

​5.  Topic Tailored to your Needs
  • Have something else in mind?  Let's work together and plan a lesson that fits your needs!

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Choose a Time-frame:

~1 Presentation...$150
~2 Presentations...$250
~3 Presentations...$325
~4 Presentations...$425
~5 Presentations...$550
~6 Presentations...$650

Extension Period...$75

~Adopt-an-Author...$475
  • 4 lessons on creative writing with the same class once a week for a month
  • Includes collaboration with the classroom teacher to determine topics for the lessons.  Examples could include: where to find inspiration for fiction and how to keep track of ideas, story mountain plot-planning, figurative language, imagery and word choice.
  • Best for grades 3-8.

~Author-in-Residence...$600
  • 5 in-class lessons on creative writing with the same class--once a day, in one week.
  • A finished story at the end of the week is the goal.
  • Best for grades 3-8.

~Cross-curricular Writing & Art Project...
  • Creative writing workshops in the classrooms.
  • Art lessons in the Art Class on mixed-media abstract paintings/collages like the ones in the book.
  • Then class periods to artfully combine the students' writings and their artwork for a cross-curricular project.
  • Fees will depend on the number of lessons you'd like me to do with the art teacher and/or the classroom teacher.  Contact me and we can work it out!

~Large Fundraiser...$300 plus $3 per canvas materials fee.
  • As an example, a PTO could advertise it as a Paint-n-Snack Night.  The fee could be $15 a canvas.  The author would first read the story.  Then,  in the cafeteria, at the tables, families would paint a canvas in the style of the abstract backgrounds in the book and then add a positive quote, creating a nice painted sign--all with step-by-step instruction.  The PTO would sell concessions and keep all ticket sales minus the materials fee. The author would also have a table set up with books for sale.  Author will bring all materials and be present for 2.5 hours.

~Book Signing Only...No fee.
  • Arrangements to be made ahead of time regarding the size of the group and/or the estimated number of books needed.

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For presentations further than 30 miles away, travel and/or lodging expenses may apply. To reduce costs, consider contacting other schools in your area. When I do several visits in the same area, schools can split the travel costs. If I book four days’ worth of separate school visits in one area, I will cover my own travel costs.  Please contact me for out-of-state visit fees.

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