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I've prepared this page to help
make hosting an author visit as simple as possible. At least I hope
so! I've visited hundreds of schools and thousands of kids across the country over
the past few years, so I'd like to share my experience and
experiences with you, starting with some commonly asked questions
by those interested in hosting an author visit:
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What
do your programs offer students? |
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My programs
are tailored to fit the needs of your school. They always include an
emphasis on writing elements and reading and my journey to becoming
an author.
In addition, because many of my titles are creative nonfiction, I am
happy to enrich your school's curriculum based on the research I
have done for my books. Learning about the desert? The ocean?
Bugs? Biomes? Animal classification? Animal adaptations? Food
chains? Plants? I can weave any of these concepts, and more,
into specific sessions tailored to the needs of your students.
Each session I present at your school will vary, based on the age
and skill level of the audience, so no two audience groups receive
the same content. However, my goal is to assure that each group that
meets with me will take away a renewed desire for reading and
writing from my session.
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What
children's books have you written? |
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Please visit
my
books page to learn about my books and their descriptions.
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You write
picture books. Are your sessions appropriate for intermediate
grades? |
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My sessions
are especially appropriate for intermediate grades, because it's at
these grade levels that students are learning about and practicing
the very writing concepts I love to discuss in depth: voice,
word choice, organization, fluency, ideas, conventions, etc. I
provide solid examples of how I implement the Six Traits with my own
writing and offer tips and strategies students can use to strengthen
their own writing. Keep in mind that students are never too
old to spend time with picture books; college classes use picture
books to teach writing elements. Picture books are the perfect tool
to teach writing concepts, because they're manageable.
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How many
sessions will you do in a day? |
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I am able to
do
four (4) sessions in one day. I'd do more, if I could, but my
sessions are anything but passive, and after four, I'm somewhat
spent.
I am happy to come back for a second
day if your school population is especially large (600 students or
more.)
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Do you
read from your books? |
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Students and
teachers, together, will help me "perform" from at least one title with each group
I visit. Trust me. It'll be fun. I implement call and response,
acting with puppets, reading illustrations with seek and find
elements, and singing along. Oh. And I might transform
your students and their teachers into characters while we do this.
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How many
students are you comfortable speaking with at once? |
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I've
presented to as little as 20 students to as many as 500 at once.
Obviously, the smaller the group, the better. Smaller groups
(100 or less) are IDEAL. Groups this size allow me to tailor my
content specifically to the learners. Smaller groups are more
intimate, so students feel as if they're really getting to know me
and spend time with me, and I them, which makes our time together
quite special.
A lot depends on the room size, too.
Libraries are the ideal
setting to meet with me, because they're cozy and support acoustics
well. Auditoriums are great for large audiences.
Cafeterias work well for large audiences, but
acoustics are usually awful and they usually can't be darkened well,
(darkness is needed for showing large groups my content on a wall or
screen.) In addition, there's usually a lot of background noise (lunches being
prepared, industrial fans blowing, custodians at work), and the materials and
props I set up for display must be removed, boxed and put away
throughout the lunch period, and then re-set up following lunch. But
remember, I said I wasn't fussy, so if the cafeteria is the "only"
space available, then the cafeteria it is!
I do require approximately a four foot space between where I present
and where my audience is seated. This is a "stage" area, and will be
used by students during sessions. Plus, it affords me the
opportunity to be mobile and move around, because I don't sit and
present.
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Do you do
writer's workshops? |
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I do, with
groups of 25 or less. These can be substituted in lieu of a
regular session. For example, I can do two large-group
sessions, and then three small-group writing workshops. This
allows for one extra session in a day at no extra cost. As I
mentioned, I'm happy to tailor the day to your needs. We can
talk about it.
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How long
are your sessions? What does a typical day look like? |
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Primary
sessions usually last 40 minutes. Intermediate sessions
usually last 50 minutes.
Please allow ten to fifteen minutes between
each session for transition of audiences (coming and going.)
Writing workshops usually last 45 - 50 minutes each.
A sample schedule is included in my Author Visit Kit, which I am
happy to send to you upon request. Just email me, and include your name, your school's name and school
address.
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How do we
make your books available to students for purchase? |
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Oh, yay!
I love that you're interested in making my books available to
students and faculty. It really makes the day special, and I make it
very simple for you!
My Author Visit Kit includes a ready to copy pre-order form/parent
letter that can be sent home with students. There are several
options for getting the books to your school. For example:
-I can purchase books in advance and bring pre-ordered titles with
me the day of my visit (or have them shipped to your school, if out
of state.)
Or,
-You can order my books directly from my publishers and receive a
hefty discount off of the retail price. Many schools use the
discount offered by publishers (book sales) to pay for the author
visit. Many schools actually make a profit for the school in
doing this. If you have any questions, just ask, and know that
I'm happy to help.
Or, Barnes & Noble or the Phoenix Book Company would LOVE to supply
my books in conjunction with my visit to your school.
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Will you
autograph items other than books? |
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It's almost impossible to autograph scraps of paper, clothing,
tennis shoes, caps and all the other stuff kids request, because
inevitably I'll run out of time and have to decline the remainder of
kids wanting an autograph. And then feelings get hurt (mine
and the kids!)
So to answer this question, "no".
HOWEVER,
I am happy to autograph:
-Library copies of my books
-Posters
-Special Displays made by students
-Pre-ordered copies purchased by students and faculty
-Scholastic copies of my books (owned by teachers, students, etc.)
-Governor special print editions of THE SEED AND THE GIANT SAGUARO
-Worn, beloved copies of my books brought from student homes and
teacher classrooms for autographing the day of my visit.
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You
mentioned using book sales to pay for an author visit. Would
you share some other ways schools have financed a visit with you? |
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Absolutely!
I was a bank teller in college, so consider me a financial expert
<wink> Seriously, there are
lots of ways to fund author visits.
Many schools use simple
grants
that support education. (I've included a link for you.)
Schools have also used Book Fair money, PTO funds, tax credit money,
Special Foundation support, and Title 1 funding.
Schools have had
parents who work in the hotel industry donate lodging for my stay,
and I've heard of an instance where airfare was paid for with
frequent flier miles donated by a school's family.
Essentially, where there's a will, there's a way.
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What is
your cost? |
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FEES
(2007-2008
Academic School Year)
$950.00 (schools in the east and south
valley - Phx)
$1,000 (schools in the NW or West valley of
Phx)
If I'm driving more than an hour and a half
to get to your school, I usually ask for
lodging the night prior in order to avoid
rush hour traffic during my commute to get
to your school at a timely fashion in the
early
morning.
When visiting schools out of state, I ask
that someone be delegated to pick me up from
the airport, get me to my lodging and to the
school, and back to the airport.
I GREATLY appreciate this.
$700.00 (Tucson)
Literacy Night Events: $150. in conjunction
with a day's author visit; *$300. if not in
conjunction with a day's author visit -
*Tucson only, if not presenting in
conjunction with a day's author visit.
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What
equipment do you need? |
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- A large screen or white wall
- An overhead projector (please make
sure it works before hand :-) with a rolling cart to place it on
- One or two large tables (for
props)
- A boom box capable of playing a
cassette
- Electrical outlets nearby (and
extensions cords, if necessary)
- A microphone if presenting to
groups larger than 175 students. Note: a microphone is
usually mandatory for cafeteria settings
- A bottle of water, or two.
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How can
we get the students excited about your visit to our school? |
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My Author
Visit Kit includes LOTS of activities and suggestions schools can
implement to get kids invested and excited about our day together.
Once a visit is scheduled, we can talk more about this.
But just doing simple things, such as reading my books to students,
allowing students to make special posters, banners or displays for
the day, letting kids become familiar with me through my work and
website, helps.
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What's
the best way to contact you? |
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Email is the best way to reach me. Author hosts are
welcome to reach me by phone (520) 906-0773, as well.
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How much
notice is needed to schedule you? |
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My calendar
for the school year is usually full by October of each year, because
many of my visits are scheduled a year in advance. However,
you can contact me anytime during the school year. If my
calendar is full, we can discuss dates for the following year.
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Can you provide
references? |
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Absotively,
posolutely. Feel free to contact:
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| - Caryl
Jones, Media Specialist, Ventana Vista Elementary, AZ (520)
577-5070 |
| - Dorian
Rollin, Principal, Isleton Elementary, CA. (916) 777-6516 |
| - Linda
Costlow, Principal, D.H. White School, Rio Vista, CA (707)
374-5335 |
| - Deb
Woodworth, Teacher-Librarian, Wilkshire Elem., MI (517) 339-8208 |
| - Sue
Rasumussen, Librarian, Ruth Powell School, AZ (928) 348-7030
ext 7336 |
| - Cheryl
Yeatts, Librarian, West Sedona Elem., AZ (928) 204-6600 |
| - Debbie
Murphy, Media Specialist, McDowell Mountain School, AZ (480)
837-1656 |
| - Kathleen
Burns, Principal, Francis Wyman Elem, MA
(781) 270-1701
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- Jerri
Horning, Media Specialist, Holiday Park School, AZ (623)
691-2552
Or, you may contact any media specialist from any school
listed on my
schedule page.
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Wow. If you've made it this far, I commend your dedication and thank
you for your interest. I look forward to
hearing from you!
-Jennifer |