school visits and presentations
Kathleen is available for author visits, readings, workshops, and conferences.
FROM FACT TO FICTION (grades 1 -4)
In this presentation I share some facts about my homeland, Scotland, and then show the students how my stories stemmed from my own life experiences. I read a snippet from all of my picture books to emphasize the beauty of the spoken word. I show the children some edited manuscripts as well as the picture book "dummy" of my forthcoming book. We finish with a question and answer session. Duration: 45 minutes - 1 hour.THE STORYTELLER (Grades 5-8) In this presentation I also read from my picture books, but I also emphasize the value of picture books for all ages. After showing examples of how my books evolved from my own life experiences regarding issues of belonging, prejudice, creativity, and family. I share some thoughts about the writing process that the pupils can relate to their own works "in progress."
The proceeds from by books benefit an AIDS orphanage in Zimbabwe, and so I spend a few minutes showing its location and explaining the plight of these children. Again, we finish with a question and answer session.
Duration: 1 hour. KindergartenMy books and presentations are best suited for grades 1-8. I am happy to do a simple reading for Kindergarten classes (30 minutes, maximum). If I am making a presentation to other classes, then I will not charge for K.
NURTURING A PASSION FOR STORIES -TEACHERS, WRITERS, AND LIBRARIANS
It has been said that "while our addictions diminish us, our passions enlarge us." Using personal anecdotes from her childhood in Ireland and Scotland, and drawing upon her fourteen years of storytelling in an inner city elementary school, Kathleen explores the myriad ways that a passion for stories can enlarge us, encouraging us to live life more gladly, compassionately, and creatively.
THE GIANT KING - A TOOL FOR TEACHING TOLERANCE -- TEACHERS
Kathleen demonstrates how her book, The Giant King, can be used within the classroom as a tool for teaching tolerance. A teachers' activity guide and readers theater script will be provided.
Rates
$200 - This consists of 3 presentations in one day.
$60 - Travel expenses for schools over one hour away from Denver area.
$60 - for one additional session - no more than 4 sessions in one day.
If your school has financial constraints, please let me know, as we can come to some arrangement. Also, schools can buy books at a discount, and use the proceeds to cover the cost of my visit.
Group SizeYou can make your group as large or small as you wish. However, I do think children benefit more from a smaller size group – 60 to 100, but naturally, much depends on the individual school. I am very flexible about this and have given presentations to groups as large as 200+. EquipmentMy presentations are all on PowerPoint, but I do not have my own projector or screen, and so I need: - A laptop computer with PowerPoint
- A screen
- Someone to set up for me and preferably to stay as my helper
- A microphone (if it is a large group in a large room)
- A table to lay out all my “stuff”
- Water
If you cannot provide PowerPoint equipment, then I can use an overhead projector to show the illustrations. AutographingI will be available to sign books before or after my visit.
 GUNNISON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
 KING MURPHY SCHOOL, EVERGREEN
Thanks to all the wonderful staff and students who made the "kindness quilt" and "kindness crowns" from the Giant King Activity Guide. The children also had lots of creative ideas to give McGregor for more inventions!
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School Visits
