"Cats sleep
anywhere,
any table,
any chair.
Top of piano,
window-ledge,
in the middle,
on the edge..."
Eleanor Farjeon
(1881-1965),"Cats"
I speak anywhere.
Schools.
Libraries. Community events. Book festivals. Conferences. University classrooms.
Fund raisers.
Any gathering of people who love books.
I especially love to talk with elementary and middle school
kids about reading and writing and to parents interested in learning how to grow
their very own readers and writers at home!
I am planning a limited number of school
visits for the 2010-2011 school year due to prior obligations. Book early!
BASIC
VISITING AUTHOR PROGRAM
Basic full-day school programs consist of 240 minutes (4 hours) of student contact time
plus lunch with the author for a group of young authors (up to 12). Choose from the
following menu:
30 / 45 / 60 minute
assemblies
30 / 45 / 60 minute classroom writing
workshops
15 / 20 / 30 minute classroom Q&A sessions
ASSEMBLIES:
I Like Black & White: From Pictures to Words & Back Again
(primary)
This program, perfect for primary grades, focuses on a process for writing
concept books that even a kindergartner can follow. Includes a fun group writing
exercise with a follow-up activity for the classroom.
Writing Trait Spotlight: Ideas and Organization.
The Secret Life of Walter Kitty: Dream Big!
(primary and intermediate)
In this interactive program,
observation and imagination get equal billing in the creative process. Students
will be inspired to write and illustrate a picture book of their own based on
their imagination and personal observation.
Writing
Trait Spotlight: Ideas and Voice.
How To Write A Picture Book
(intermediate)
This program provides an overview of
the kinds of picture books older students might write and illustrate: concept books, “true” picture books, and picture storybooks. Excellent opportunity for
differentiated instruction in follow-up writing projects. Includes either a
dramatic reading or a Readers’ Theatre production. Lots of audience
participation!
Writing Trait Spotlight:
Ideas, Voice and Organization.
WRITING WORKSHOPS:
Follow-up classroom workshops use one of the books introduced in the assemblies
as a springboard for writing a collaborative poem or a plot outline. Students then have an opportunity to expand on their
writing
either in words or drawings. Ideas, organization, voice, and word choice may
all be addressed.
DISTRICT YOUNG AUTHOR PROGRAM
Five
Schools / One District / One Week
District-wide programs are offered at a substantial discount
per school to any five schools within a district* that book author visits in a
one-week period.
Programs consist of 180 minutes (3 hours) of student
contact time plus
lunch with the author for a group of young authors (up to 12) in each school.
Included is an
optional Family Literacy presentation on Saturday morning or afternoon at no
additional charge. This presentation is often held in conjunction with a
district-wide or community Young Authors Fair to
celebrate reading, writing and books and/or display student-made books. If your
district is really working on literacy, this is a great program to get kids,
parents, teachers and administrators alike excited about student writing!
*
If your district is smaller than
five elementary schools, neighboring districts may work together or a school may
opt for a second day, which would include three 45 minute classroom writing
workshops + lunch with a second group of young authors.
AUTHOR-IN-RESIDENCE PROGRAMS
For intensive work on student
writing, nothing beats having an author in a school on a recurring basis. When
the writing is tied to a visual arts project, student engagement is only
increased. Residencies may be structured on a consecutive day or recurring visit
model ranging from two to ten days in total.
The programs
below are two-day programs culminating in the publication of a school-wide or
district-wide book of student writing and art or a series of student-created
greeting cards that can be sold for fund raising purposes.
For more information on student publishing opportunities, visit
www.class-act-creative.com.
PROJECT ARTS RESPECT
This literary and visual arts
project comes in an all-school or an all-district version and addresses themes of respect,
kindness, integrity, empathy and peace-making.
The project culminates in a trade
quality book of student advice illustrated with black and white line drawings.
The program includes
assemblies and workshops on two consecutive days in a single school or in each of five district schools
The project culminates in a trade
quality book of student advice illustrated with black and white line drawings that can be sold for
school or district
fund raising purposes.
PROJECT HEALTHY KIDS
This is another literary
and visual arts project offered as a single-school or district wide program. The
assemblies and workshops teach kids some basic body science, encourage sound
eating and exercise habits and give students an opportunity to exercise their creativity
as well. I want kids to know that eating healthy can be fun!
The program includes
assemblies and workshops on two consecutive days in a single school or in each of five district schools
The project culminates in a series of student-created greeting cards that can be sold for
school or district
fund raising
purposes.
FAMILY LITERACY PROGRAMS
After a full-day school visit, many
schools choose to book an additional evening event for families. Family Literacy
Nights may also be available with half-day school visits or as single programs.
Please inquire.
Family Literacy programs
include a slide show that appeals both to children and parents, detailing the
traditions in my family that made me a reader and writer for life. Parents are
encouraged to create their own family traditions around reading and writing.
Also included is take-home information (available in English and Spanish) with
hands-on ideas parents can use to help their children become more proficient
readers and writers.
TEACHER PRESENTATIONS & WORKSHOPS
I am also available for teacher
presentations and workshops for state and national reading and library
conferences and district or all-school professional development days. These programs encourage
teachers and teachers-in-training to think about the many kinds of
standards-based lessons they might pull from a single picture book for use in
the classroom. One-hour presentation, two-hour workshop or four-hour workshop.
Includes audience participation and hands-on learning.
| For more
information about any of my programs, including a fee
schedule, please send me an
e-mail with
Program Query in the Subject Line.
Don't think your school can afford an
author visit?
Many organizations offer grants or sponsorships that can more than cover
an author’s expenses and honorarium. (I've been paid several times through
Target grants, some of the easiest to apply for.) Follow the links for
information:
Focus on Funding: Grants and
Sponsorships
Tips for
Writing Winning Grant Proposals |
HERE'S WHAT
EDUCATORS HAVE TO SAY:
"Barbara Jean Hicks delivers a dynamic presentation...giving the audience a
peek into the influences on an author who writes from her heart and her life
experience."
Holly Kunkle,
Library Media/Technician
Flory Academy of Sciences and
Technology, Moorpark CA
"My
children were thrilled with your presentation. Thanks for getting them all
excited about writing!"
Suzanne
Arrache, 1st grade Teacher
Virginia Ave. Elementary School,
Bakersfield CA
"Your program was a hit—thank
you!"
Merle Green, Children's Liaison, Darrington Library
Darrington Elementary School, Darrington WA
"Engaging... The students' excitement for writing shone through even after the
event."
Amy Hayes, 1st Grade Teacher
Briarwood Elementary School, Renton WA
"Your stories captivated our imagination, young and old."
Malee Her, Kindergarten Teacher
Harvest
Elementary School, Delano CA
"Thanks for the wonderful program. The children and grownups both loved
it."
Ian Rosen, Children's Librarian, Los Angeles Public Library
Westchester-Loyola Village Branch,
Los Angeles CA
"Your read-alouds were amazing, and my students learned so much about picture
books. The highlight of the semester for my Children's
Literature classes."
Claudia Reder, Lecturer, English and
Literature
Cal State University at Channel Islands,
Camarillo CA
"It
was wonderful to have a real author at our school! All of us have used you in
our writing lessons this week."
Patti Holland, 1st grade Teacher
Red Oak Elementary School, Oak Park
CA
All text and images on this website © Barbara Jean
Hicks 2005-2009 unless otherwise identified. Text and images may be used for
educational and other non-commercial purposes if copyright and website information are
clearly stated. Commercial use of all text and images is strictly prohibited.
