Individual Classrooms
Oh, how I love talking with students right in their classrooms. These visits never fail to inspire me, and I hope they do the same for the kids.
For K-2 students, I share a bit about my childhood and what we have in common, then chat about my most recent picture books and the ideas that sparked their creation. I talk about what fiction stories are and what we need to start one. Then I share a number of my age-appropriate nonfiction books and show students how I research, the cool info I learn from that, and how I decide which facts to leave in and which to leave out. My presentations are as interactive as possible, informative, and fun. A teacher-led Q&A always rounds out the presentation.
For older students, grades 3 and up, I focus on the writing process. I share a few of my picture books, talk about what sparked them and how to build a good story. Then I move into nonfiction—specifically how (and where!) to dive into the research process, how writers decide what to include in their books, the importance of including ourselves in our work, and why my favorite part of writing is, believe it or not, REVISION. The final minutes of a presentation consist of a Q&A, Ask Me Anything. I send post-visit handouts to be shared with students, Build a Story That Knocks Their Socks Off and Writing Nonfiction That’s UnPutDownable!
Length: From 30 to 90 minutes, depending on your needs and age of students
Fee: Please email me through my Contact page.
Group Presentations: K-2 or 3+
These multi-classroom or large-area presentations follow closely the descriptions above. These presentations may be recorded and kept to share with absent students for two weeks.
Free Skype/Zoom Visits
I’m happy to do a free Skype/Zoom visit, one per school, per year, as my schedule allows. If you want to squeeze two sections into one classroom, that’s fine. All I require of students is: 1) read at least one of my books, and 2) brainstorm questions.
These free sessions are 15-20 minutes long.
IMPORTANT
Before you contact me about booking any visit, please read the questions below and be sure to answer each of them in your email.
1. What is your name?
2. Where is your school?
3. Do you have a specific date in mind (Read Across America day, for example)?
4. What time zone are you in?
5. What grade will I be talking with, and how many students will be in the classroom?
6. Which book(s) will the students have read prior to our visit?
7. Will you be more interested in talking about my fiction books or my nonfiction titles?
8. How may I reach you quickly (phone number– in the event of a wonky connection)?
9. What is your Skype/Zoom username?
PLEASE don’t wait until the day of our Skype to add me as a contact. On the day of our Skype, you will be calling me. That way, you can get the kids settled and ready before making the call.
If you have any other questions, feel free to e-mail me.