To reserve your school visit date(s) on my calendar, send me an email confirming the agreed upon date(s) and fee. That's all I require in the way of a contract. If an invoice or other paperwork is required by your school district or PTSA please let me know in advance and send me any forms I need to fill out so I may be paid on the day of the visit.
I've found that school visits are most successful when students are familiar with my books. Ideally, students should read (or have read aloud to them), at least two of my books prior to my visit. Click here for a list of my books. I've also posted information on how to order my books.
By the way, almost all of my books are listed with Accelerated Reader and have quizzes available through the AR program.
I will do three (3) presentations per day* plus autographing (if you choose to sell books). Large assemblies are not a problem, but workshops work best with groups of 50 – 75 students of similar age. Please allow 10-15 minutes between presentations for set-up as you compose a schedule from the choices below:
Grade K – 1 (or K – 2) assembly (45 min.): I read aloud from my books, talk about where some of my story ideas have come from, and use masks to engage children in acting out my first published book, Mommy Doesn't Know My Name. I also play a game in which children identify characters from my various books.
Grade 2 – 3 (or 3 – 4) assembly (55 min.): I talk about where some of my story ideas have come from, read aloud from two of my books, tell a bit about my series chapter books, and share examples of the revision process.
Grade 4
– 5 (or 5 – 6) assembly (55 min.): I talk about how I became a writer,
and explain a bit about my writing process, and the ideas that gave rise to my
books. I also use props to help
students learn about the publishing process.
Grade 3 – 6 Writing Workshops (45 – 55 min. each): Choices: 1) How to Plot a Story or 2) How to "Show," not "Tell.” (Two to three classes of students of similar age work best.)
*If you have half-day kindergarteners who aren't at school during a primary assembly time, I'm willing to add a short fourth (20 - 25 minute) session to accommodate them.
Send me a copy of the day’s 3-presentation schedule.
Please have the room where I'll be speaking set up and ready to go. I'll plan to arrive at least twenty to thirty minutes before the first assembly is scheduled to start. Here's what I'll need:
For assemblies:
a computer projector (to plug into my PC laptop to show PowerPoint slides)
a screen
a microphone (a wireless type is preferable.)
a long table (at the front of the room--for displaying my books and "props.")
water (to sip throughout the day, thanks!)
With large groups I prefer that students sit on the floor, with chairs around the periphery for teachers and other adults.
For assembly presentations it's nice to be introduced to students before I speak--it gets them ready to listen. Here's a short introduction you can copy and use if you'd like:
(Point to table displaying my books): We are pleased to have the author of all these books here with us today. Most of you have had the opportunity to read or hear her books during the last several weeks. Today you'll find out how she came to write some of her stories, and a bit about her life as a writer. Please show her what terrific listeners you are as we welcome Suzanne Williams.
For workshops:
an overhead projector
a screen
a microphone
Students need not bring writing materials to the workshops as we will do everything on the overhead as group guided practice. I will also bring a teacher handout with follow-up ideas that may be copied for any staff member who would like one.
Lunch:
Please provide me with a lunch, allowing a one-hour lunch break if possible. If time permits, a visit to a nearby restaurant is nice, but if there’s no place close by, a fast-food type sandwich (or bagel with cream cheese) is fine. I love being a part of special staff luncheons, but I’m not fond of cafeteria food!
Autographing:
I love autographing books, and can sign during breaks in the day and after school as needed (as long as my schedule allows). Please have names to whom books are to be autographed clearly written on stickies attached to each book. I can also sign adhesive book plates to leave behind for any “late” sales. In addition, I will bring a master sheet of an autographed bookmark that can be copied and distributed to students who would like one; please encourage students to not ask me to sign slips of paper.