Workshops
Virtual author visit for When Water Makes Mud: A Story of refugee children
In this 30-40 minute virtual author visit for When Water Makes Mud: A Story of Refugee Children by Janie Reinart, students will:
K-2nd grade
- meet refugees from the Bidibidi Settlement in Uganda—children without toys…yet children who play
- hear the story of Big Sister and Little Sister told in a child’s voice
- solve riddles, sing songs
The visit includes discussions about what can be made with mud or clay, why we write, Q&A, and a project to create after the visit.
3rd-5th grade includes above plus:
- play writing games
- present a readers theater version of the picture book
- discuss what a refugee needs
- write review
6th-8th grade includes above plus:
- theater improvisation
- write poem project
Virtual author visit for the ugly duckling
This author visit K-2nd grades includes:
Sharing the retelling of the story, The Ugly Duckling.
Learning about the author.
Discussing the theme of the story— kindness.
Creating a group poem, choral reading (call/response)
A sing along -Care for Others.
Q & A for the author.
Free downloads for activities to go with the story.( See BOOK tab.)
3rd-5th grades Includes above plus:
Five ways to adapt a fairytale from the original.
Virtual Visits for Writing Workshops
Requirements in advance:
1. Brainstorm questions for author and send before visit with students first name.
2. Students have paper and pencils ready.
Please answer these questions in your email when booking a visit: Your name, your preferred platform for virtual visit , a phone number to reach you quickly if connection is bad, school name, grade level and number of students in classroom, time zone.
A full virtual writing presentation, especially for your classroom is available. The session will last 45 minutes. In this interactive workshop, we will play with words, look at the writing process and poetic devices, and students will write and share their free verse poetry. Students and staff will have the option of purchasing a signed book. Order forms will be provided.
Writers Workshop
In this interactive classroom visit, students and teachers tell their story, finding their inner poet, using free verse poetry.
Activities include:
- playing with words
- examining what a poem looks like
- poetic language
- making word choices
- writing time sharing work
1 day
(3 sessions /60 minutes per session; up to 45 kids in one location, Grades 2 and up)
Family groups
Audience becomes the crew as they read, sing, and dance helping to tell the story of The Scruvy Ol’ Sea Dog. Includes writing activity and tips on how to write as a family.
1 hour
What students are saying:
“Poetry and writing makes me feel better because my grandma passed and it helped (me) remember her memory.” – Victoria 5th grade
“Poetry and writing makes me happy because it’s so calming.” – Terell 4th grade
“What writers do is they sit down and write and take things out of their head and put it on paper.” – India 3rd grade
“I learned to never stop writing.” – Monet 3rd grade
“I love to tell my story to other people. I learned that poetry is within your heart and to use your imagination.” – Dawn 3rd grade
What educators are saying:
“Thanks again for all of your time, energy and creative spirits. My students were asking today when you were coming back!” – Courtney Ryan, 2nd grade teacher
“Students participated in a Finding the Words poetry workshop, culminating in the creation of many wonderful pieces of literature!” – Aimee Gerhart, Literacy Enrichment Teacher
“I give Finding the Words a glowing report.” – Mrs. Shelley DiBacco, Principal (retired)