Description of School Programs
Going on a Riverboat Ride (30 minutes)
This program is best for pre-K, K, and 1st grade.
After sharing my bedtime story, River Beds, Sleeping in the World’s Rivers, I invite my listeners to come along on an imaginary expedition. We’ll travel the world to discover how river mammals sleep. The kids create the “soundtrack” as we journey, so this program is lively, active, and imaginative.
After sharing my bedtime story, River Beds, Sleeping in the World’s Rivers, I invite my listeners to come along on an imaginary expedition. We’ll travel the world to discover how river mammals sleep. The kids create the “soundtrack” as we journey, so this program is lively, active, and imaginative.
From Idea to Published Book (30 minutes)
This program is wonderful for primary and
elementary kids.
I’ll show how a story becomes a book. Kids will examine my manuscript, the artist’s sketches, and book proofs from Water Beds, Sleeping in the Ocean to discover the process of creating a published picture book.
I’ll show how a story becomes a book. Kids will examine my manuscript, the artist’s sketches, and book proofs from Water Beds, Sleeping in the Ocean to discover the process of creating a published picture book.
Rockhounding (30 - 45 minutes)
This program is perfect for kids in grades 1-4.
Everybody loves treasure-hunting - especially when the treasure is in our backyard! I’ll share my picture book, Julie the Rockhound, and introduce the fascinating hobby of mineral collecting. In addition to teaching about quartz - one of Earth’s most abundant minerals – I’ll show slides of real rock digs, extraordinary crystals, and how crystals are fashioned into gemstones. This program reinforces the 3rd grade Earth Science unit.
Everybody loves treasure-hunting - especially when the treasure is in our backyard! I’ll share my picture book, Julie the Rockhound, and introduce the fascinating hobby of mineral collecting. In addition to teaching about quartz - one of Earth’s most abundant minerals – I’ll show slides of real rock digs, extraordinary crystals, and how crystals are fashioned into gemstones. This program reinforces the 3rd grade Earth Science unit.
Stories: Everyday Folks, Extraordinary Times (45 minutes)
This program works well for younger audiences as
well as mixed-age groups.
I’ll tell stories from American history from my short story collection, The Tree that Owns Itself and Other Adventure Tales from Georgia’s History. Listeners will giggle and gasp to the real-life story of Max, the world's first official canine parachutist.
As time allows, I’ll introduce listeners to the War Woman of Georgia, with her ferocious cross-eyed scowl; Mammy Kate, who used her head to carry a Revolutionary War hero from an enemy prison; and the King of the Swamp, who battled a bear with his bare hands...and more.
I’ll tell stories from American history from my short story collection, The Tree that Owns Itself and Other Adventure Tales from Georgia’s History. Listeners will giggle and gasp to the real-life story of Max, the world's first official canine parachutist.
As time allows, I’ll introduce listeners to the War Woman of Georgia, with her ferocious cross-eyed scowl; Mammy Kate, who used her head to carry a Revolutionary War hero from an enemy prison; and the King of the Swamp, who battled a bear with his bare hands...and more.
Eyewitness to History: Lewis and Clark and Their Big Black Dog (60 mins)
This program is designed for intermediate and
middle grade students.
I’ll share eyewitness accounts (primary sources) from the 1800’s - written by members of the Lewis and Clark Expedition - to show how I transformed these journal entries into scenes for my novel, Seaman, the Dog Who Explored the West with Lewis & Clark.
I’ll share eyewitness accounts (primary sources) from the 1800’s - written by members of the Lewis and Clark Expedition - to show how I transformed these journal entries into scenes for my novel, Seaman, the Dog Who Explored the West with Lewis & Clark.
Eyewitness to History: Surviving Jamestown (60 minutes)
This program is designed for intermediate and
middle grade students.
I’ll show what life aboard a 17th century sailing ship was like. As my listeners discover the rigors of survival in the first American colony, they will see how I used primary sources to research my novel, Surviving Jamestown, the Adventures of Young Sam Collier.
I’ll show what life aboard a 17th century sailing ship was like. As my listeners discover the rigors of survival in the first American colony, they will see how I used primary sources to research my novel, Surviving Jamestown, the Adventures of Young Sam Collier.
Eyewitness to History: Quake! (60 minutes)
This program is designed for intermediate and
middle grade students.
I’ll show photos and primary sources from the natural disaster that crippled a major U.S. city. I’ll also show how I incorporated details from my own life into this historical event to create my novel, Quake! Disaster in San Francisco, 1906. This program complements both the science and social studies curriculums - it ties into units on Plate Tectonics, Natural Disasters, and Immigration.
Eyewitness to History: Hurricane Katrina (60 minutes)
This program is designed for intermediate and middle grade students.
To research this story, I visited New Orleans - a unique American city and popular tourist destination. I based the characters on interviews with actual survivors of the worst hurricane in U.S. history. High winds and storm surge cause costly damage. But this was a tragedy compounded by unusual circumstances: When the city's poorly-built levees washed away, lake water flooded neighborhoods and trapped people who had no way out.
I’ll show photos and primary sources from the natural disaster that crippled a major U.S. city. I’ll also show how I incorporated details from my own life into this historical event to create my novel, Quake! Disaster in San Francisco, 1906. This program complements both the science and social studies curriculums - it ties into units on Plate Tectonics, Natural Disasters, and Immigration.
Eyewitness to History: Hurricane Katrina (60 minutes)
This program is designed for intermediate and middle grade students.
To research this story, I visited New Orleans - a unique American city and popular tourist destination. I based the characters on interviews with actual survivors of the worst hurricane in U.S. history. High winds and storm surge cause costly damage. But this was a tragedy compounded by unusual circumstances: When the city's poorly-built levees washed away, lake water flooded neighborhoods and trapped people who had no way out.
Eyewitness to History: Tsunami (60 minutes)
This program is designed for intermediate and
middle grade students.
In this program, I’ll show students how a tsunami forms by recounting a never-to-be-forgotten day in the paradise of Hawaii. Primary sources written by students formed the basis for my nonfiction book, Tsunami, The True Story of an April Fool’s Day Disaster. In addition to examining a natural disaster, this program shows how scientists study disasters in order to safeguard life.
In this program, I’ll show students how a tsunami forms by recounting a never-to-be-forgotten day in the paradise of Hawaii. Primary sources written by students formed the basis for my nonfiction book, Tsunami, The True Story of an April Fool’s Day Disaster. In addition to examining a natural disaster, this program shows how scientists study disasters in order to safeguard life.
Eyewitness to History: Island Miracle (60 minutes)
This program is designed for intermediate and
middle grade students.
In this program, we’ll examine the history of Bermuda - first settled by castaways from a shipwreck. I’ll show how one chance event transformed history and literature and formed the basis for my nonfiction book, Miracle, The True Story of the Wreck of the Sea Venture. Surprisingly, this incident gives us a lab to examine how people affect ecology.
In this program, we’ll examine the history of Bermuda - first settled by castaways from a shipwreck. I’ll show how one chance event transformed history and literature and formed the basis for my nonfiction book, Miracle, The True Story of the Wreck of the Sea Venture. Surprisingly, this incident gives us a lab to examine how people affect ecology.
Workshop: History is the Springboard for Story (45 - 60 minutes)
Recommended for classrooms in intermediate,
middle, & high school.
I’ll share a primary source from a historical event to stimulate writing and reinforce the reading-writing connection. During this workshop, I’ll conduct a mini-lesson on creating a story “hook” - how writers can capture the audience's attention in the crucial opening scene.
Note: This workshop works best after students hear one of the Eyewitness Programs, above.
I’ll share a primary source from a historical event to stimulate writing and reinforce the reading-writing connection. During this workshop, I’ll conduct a mini-lesson on creating a story “hook” - how writers can capture the audience's attention in the crucial opening scene.
Note: This workshop works best after students hear one of the Eyewitness Programs, above.