For Teachers

Hip-Hip Hooray for Author Day!

Programs

Author Visit Kits

Authors for Earth Day

I try to balance as many author visits as my calendar will allow each year because,
1) I absolutely love visiting schools, and,
2) I believe author visits are a fantastic way to inspire students, support learning and literacy, and empower children with the endless possibilities they can achieve with pen and paper.

As a former educator, I know how challenging it can be to inspire students who struggle with reading to writing. I struggled with writing myself when I was in grade school, (and I have the original writing samples to prove it!) These writing samples often prove very inspiring to students, convincing them that if I can become an award-winning author, certainly they can achieve the goals of their dreams, too.

My calendar fills up quickly, as my writing schedule mandates time, as well.
If you are interesting in having me visit your school or library, simply email me at: jwbooks@att.net to reserve a date. Please include your name, your school's name and location.
I can tailor the day for one classroom, one grade level, or an entire school. A full day visit is three sessions, (plus a mini- session for preschool, if your school has one on campus.) For a 2008-09 schedule rate, click here.
Note: visits more than 1.5 hours outside of the St. Louis/Metro East area are considered a full day visit due to travel time involved.

Also, feel free to request an Author Visit Kit, as described below, and read on for a description of my school programs...

If you are able to have just one author visit your school library, Jennifer Ward is the one.
Students and teachers alike walk away wanting more.
- Kathy Messick, Librarian, Greenbrier Elementary

My programs are interactive and multi media. I use my experience as an educator to provide materials appropriate for a wide range of audience ages, from preschool to college classes, each tailored the audience skill level. I strive to make the day especially fun for kids, and teachers, too. Together, we will bring my books to life and celebrate literacy. Using my published books and the working drafts they formed from, I teach students about ideas, text organization, word choice, revision, research and what an author's job is like. Students get to view original samples of my elementary school writing, too, (which often proves very inspiring!) as we experience fun with language, writing concepts and reading. My books tie into all national curriculum strands, including language arts, mathematics, science, social studies and fine arts. I weave and thread as much curriculum content into my presentations as I can, including the Six + 1 Writing Traits, so in addition to a literacy emphasis, students will gain knowledge regarding science, research, fact vs. fiction, mathematics, biology and geography.


AUTHOR VISIT KIT (Now in "green" format) If you are interested in having me visit your school, I'm happy to send you an Author Visit Kit. This kit includes detailed information about my visits, as well as curriculum activities that tie in with my books, materials for display, tips for arranging successful author visits & book marks for students. Simply shoot an email my way , and I will send you a link to the documents, each in PDF.

INVITE an Author AND Illustrator!
		Steve Gray guides a young student through cartooning techniques!
L-R: Steve Gray & Jennifer Ward wrapping up a day with students in Wyoming. Note: Steve Gray, who illustrated There Was a Coyote Who Swallowed a Flea and There Was an Old Monkey Who Swallowed a Frog, also does school visits, as does Ken Spengler, illustrator of Way Out in the Desert, Somewhere in the Ocean, Over in the Garden & Way Up in the Arctic.

I continually get remarks from teachers that your presentation was “the best assembly we’ve ever had,” and that you really inspired their students to write. Thank you for an extraordinary visit.
We hope to see you again.
-Sharon Kane, LMS, Kyrene School District
* * *
Our second graders have been writing non-stop since your visit.
-Laura Marlowe, 2nd Grade Teacher, Lehi Elementary

Would you like to book a visit with an eco-minded author on Earth Day?
More information soon, at Author's for Earth Day