I would love to do a virtual author visit with your students. I offer a variety of presentations, tailored to the ages and needs of your class or classes.
The Story Behind the Story (grades 3 and up)
- Virginia Hall—subject of my picture book biography Virginia was a Spy—kicks this off with a short video. (No one will guess this is me!)
- Virginia takes her leave, and I appear. After a brief introduction, I read Virginia was a Spy. (Teachers can choose to save time by reading the book to students ahead of the visit.)
- Using a slideshow of my idea sparks, including funny childhood photos, we talk about where ideas come from.
- Since sharp observation skills are key to writing and effective spy work, we test our skills with a virtual “I Spy” game featuring a slide of my cluttered-up living room.
- I talk about my research process, focusing on both primary and secondary sources (part of Common Core standards).
- We focus on the fun (yes, it can be fun!) process of revision. I show manuscript mark-ups, initial illustrator sketches, and editorial letters—as well as a photo of my brilliant critique group.
- If time allows, we do a brainstorming exercise.
- The visit ends with Q & A.
The WHO of History: Researching and Writing Biographies (grades 3-5)
- Virginia Hall—subject of my picture book biography Virginia was a Spy—kicks off the presentation with a short video. (No one will guess it’s me!)
- Virginia takes her leave, and I appear. After a brief introduction, I read Virginia was a Spy. (Teachers can choose to save time by reading the book to students ahead of the visit.)
- I define biography (the WHO of history), then show slides with famous and not-so-famous people arranged in groups according to their contributions.
- Using funny photos from my own history, I talk with students about how and why I chose to write about Virginia Hall.
- I talk about the research process and the importance of using both primary and secondary sources—part of Common Core standards. I show examples of each.
- I discuss using anecdotes to provide interest and help readers better understand the subject (in contrast to just stringing together facts).
- I lead students in a writing exercise. Write about one exciting, scary, or sad episode (anecdote) from your life.
- Optional—I introduce the History Makers Project for students to complete after my visit.
- I allow time for Q & A. Teachers can collect and submit questions ahead of time, if they’d like.
- My visit can serve as a jumping-off activity for teacher-led character trait and/or biography-writing activities. Both activities include student packets and teacher guides and satisfy numerous Common Core standards.
Unsung Hero: How One Woman Defied Expectations and Helped Turn the Tide of World War II (grades 3 and up)
- Virginia Hall—subject of my picture book biography Virginia was a Spy—kicks off the presentation with a short video. (No one will guess it’s me!)
- Virginia takes her leave, and I appear. After a brief introduction, I read Virginia was a Spy. (Teachers can choose to save time by reading the book to students ahead of the visit.)
- I discuss briefly the ways expectations about women’s roles have changed from World War II to present, then offer a fun guessing game about this topic.
- I talk about my own history (including funny photos) and how this fueled my interest in writing about little-known women in history.
- We talk about the character traits that made Virginia an effective spy.
- I show pictures of Virginia and a few other women spies. We discuss: Why did women make good spies?
- Since sharp observation skills are key to effective spy work, we test our skills with a virtual “I Spy” game featuring a slide of my cluttered-up living room.
- Optional—I introduce the History Makers Project for students to complete after my visit.
- The visit ends with Q & A.
Spy Story: Do you have what it takes? (grades 3-5)
- Virginia Hall—subject of my picture book biography Virginia was a Spy—kicks this off with a brief video. (No one will guess this is me!)
- Virginia takes her leave, and I appear. After a brief introduction, I read Virginia was a Spy. (Teachers can choose to save time by reading the book to students ahead of the visit.)
- Since sharp observation skills are key to effective spy work, we test our skills with a virtual “I Spy” game featuring a slide of my cluttered-up living room.
- We do a character trait exercise, ending with the question: Would you be a good spy?
- I challenge students with a breaking the code activity.
- Optional—I introduce the History Makers Project (link) for students to complete after my visit.
- The visit ends with Q & A.
Unlocking Ideas (grades K-3)
- I begin with a brief introduction followed by a personal (and humbling) slide show I call The Do’s and Don’ts of the Idea Hunt.
- I read one of my fiction picture books—Polka-dot Fixes Kindergarten or Emma’s Question—and use slides from my childhood to show how personal experiences can be sparks for stories. (Teachers can choose to save time by reading the books to students before my visit.)
- I talk to students about taking something real and building a story around it. Exaggerate! Make yourself a hero! Change what happens!
- I conduct a story prompt activity that helps students shake loose ideas from their own lives. After each prompt, they write a few words on a sheet of paper and hold up the paper. Students can keep ideas in a folder for use in a later, teacher-led writing activity.
- I talk with students about my writing and revision process and—if they promise not to laugh—I show them marked-up, scribbled-on copies of my own drafts.
- I allow time for Q & A. Teachers can collect and submit questions ahead of time, if they’d like.
Please contact me for information on book order forms and fees.