SCHOOL VISITS

CHILDREN'S BOOK AUTHOR
BARBARA JEAN HICKS

                           
                           

 


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NEW STUDENT PUBLICATION PROGRAMSEE BELOW!

"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!

 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 small group of students. 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

See below for descriptions of assemblies and writing workshops.

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 three 45 minute assemblies and lunch with the author for a group of young authors (up to 12). Included is an optional Family Literacy presentation on Saturday morning or afternoon at no additional charge if a district should decide to hold a Young Author 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.

STUDENT PUBLICATION PROGRAM

For a small additional fee, see your students' art and writing published in a bound, bookstore quality trade paperback book.

Using my extensive professional background as an editor, my passion for graphic arts, and new print-
on-demand technologies, I do all the work required to produce a beautiful bound book of student art and writing and provide six FREE copies for your library. While no additional purchases are required, I do ask that students be sent home with order forms so parents can have the opportunity of purchasing books. For the Basic Program, books will contain representative student work from each classroom in the school. For the District Program, books will contain representative student work from each school participating.

Click on the icon for sample pages of a book of student art
and writing produced through my imprint, Class Act Creative,
for an elementary school in Ventura, California.
The resolution has been reduced for web viewing.

Fund Raiser Option: The school PTA/PTO may earn back the Student Publication Program fee and offset some or all of the fees for the Basic Visiting Author Program or the District Young Author Program by ordering books of student work at a discounted bulk rate and reselling it to students, parents and staff at retail price. Please inquire for details.

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, to which each child contributes. Students then have an opportunity to expand on their contribution either in words or drawings. Ideas, organization, voice, and word choice may all be addressed.

FAMILY LITERACY PROGRAMS

After a full-day program, many schools choose to book an additional evening event for families. I've put together 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. 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

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.

AUTHOR-IN-RESIDENCE PROGRAMS

For intensive work on student writing, nothing beats having an author in the classroom on a recurring basis. Residencies may be constructed on a consecutive-day model or a weekly or monthly model. They are flexible in duration and geared to each school's needs, culminating in classroom projects that may include visual art, music and/or drama as well as creative writing. An example is the Project Arts RESPECT program created for the Rio School District in Oxnard, California. This program offers art and writing workshops to every 4th grade classroom in the district, where students are creating work that will be used to produce a book the district plans to sell to raise funds for further arts programming.

      

For more information about any of my programs, including references and a fee schedule, please e-mail Barbara with "Program Query" in the Subject Line. I look forward to speaking at your school or event.

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 hitthank 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.