Virtual Author School Visit
With the uncertainty of Covid, it is completely understandable that some schools are not having visitors in school at this time. How about a virtual author visit? Read below to see how it works.
“I liked hearing about your family and how you incorporate them into your books.
Also the story behind all your books. You had a lovely way with the children too. It was a great visit.”
Donna Wellings (Cambridge Road Primary School)
"It was lovely to see the children enthusiastic about writing their own poetry based on a text they knew well. The children loved their visit from a 'real life author' which even helped to motivate the reluctant writers."
Julie Bowen (Brownlow Primary School)
“Excellent engagement levels of the children.”
Jeanette Hill (Gretton Primary School)
“Excellent. I liked the variety of workshop options and great rapport with the children.”
Rebecca Winn (Colgate Primary School)
Objectives
Interest
Increase children's interest in books and help them understand how books are produced.
Excitement
Make reading exciting showing stories are more than printed words: they are portals into other worlds that don’t just begin and end between the covers.
Practise
Show the importance of drafting and resilience as no stories come out fully formed the first time. Drafting and redrafting in response to the editor’s comments is all part of the process.
Inspire
Boost children’s writing confidence (especially the boys) by showing the children that authors are real people who live and work today, not just names on a cover. They started out learning to write at primary school, just like your pupils. Children will participate in writing exercises to hone their skills.
Workshops
1. Terrible Teacher
Terrible Teacher – Children will find out about the different types of teachers there are in the story and create their own humorous example. Through a series of questions and extracts, I will get the children to produce a piece of work, in a similar vein to that I did in the book, describing a set type of teacher, and look more into their character and personality. (Y2-6)
Workshops
4.Embarrassing Dad
Embarrassing Dad – I will share examples of my own relationship with my daughter, and that with my dad, to explain the inspiration for the text and how I developed it to include a plot to kidnap the Prime Minister.
(Y2-6)
Workshops
7. How Do Colours Feel?
How Do Colours Feel? - I use this poetry book to look at similes and metaphors as colours are personified. Children will be able to create their own poems in a similar way.
(All)
Workshops
.png)
10. Don't Lose The Plot
Don’t Lose The Plot – By looking at famous story plots, from both books and the big screen; simplifying it, and then developing it into a new story. Just don't lose the plot.
(Y4-6)
Workshops
13. Story Sack
Story sack – A very simple but effective idea where the children tell a story to others by picking things out of a selection of sacks. The sacks can link to what you are doing in class or a stand-alone topic. Perfect for younger children.
(All)
Workshops
2. Steam
Steam – I will explain to the children how I created the steampunk characters in Steam using the website Pinterest, help the children to create their own characters, and produce an environment for their characters to dwell. (If children have been studying Victorians, they may find this workshop helpful as the story starts in Victorian England).
(Y4-6)
Workshops
.png)
5. Knight School
Knight School - I use this story set in medieval times to demonstrate how to develop a short story into different stories and this will become a series of stories based upon the same characters.
(Y2-6)
Workshops
8. The Visit
The Visit - In this poem, the children will learn about wellbeing, friendship and how outsiders may feel. The children will write their own poem based on someone trying to fit in in a new place.
(All)
Workshops
11. Character Journal
Character Journal - When writing a story, character development is vital to the progression of the plot. I will explain to the children how their characters will experience different situations throughout the plot that will shape them and their personality. By using this character development book, the children can build characters and use them specifically in a story or make them generic so they can be used over several stories.
(Y4-6)
Workshops
14. Be Kind Kids
Be Kind Kids – As a primary school teacher, I found quotes and thoughts were priceless in varied situations to help, advise or guide children. In this workshop, I will share some of these with the children and then discuss their thoughts and ideas that they could share with others around the school.
(Y2-6)
Workshops
3. My Wellbeing Journal
Well Being Journals - This session is particularly useful for children who may be struggling with a positive attitude (especially in this time of COVID-19) as they can work through a learning journal to help explain how they feel and focus on positive affirmations to increase confidence.
(KS2)
Workshops
6. @Red #Internet Safety
@Red #Internet Safety - Based upon traditional fairy tales including Red Riding Hood, Cinderella and Goldilocks, I look at internet safety in a fun way based upon characters known by all.
(All)
Workshops
9. Q & A
Interview the author - This could lead on from the initial whole school assembly in the morning but let the children develop their questioning skills, rather than just ask the first thing that comes into their head.
(All)
Workshops
.png)
12. Positive Pupil / Teacher Power
Positive Pupil/Teacher Power - A scheme that follows the teacher plan that can then be introduced to pupils. The contents are nothing new. The Law of Attraction, positive affirmations, journaling, personality and habits. However, I feel that these elements combined make a powerful tool for staff and pupils' mental health, putting them on the right path for the future, both at school and at home.
(KS2)
Workshops
15. Poetry
Using examples from my poetry anthology, based upon life in school, children will learn about different types of poetry and be able to create their own using the examples.
(Y2-6)
Typical Day
01/
Set up a meeting
We will set up a plan prior to the day on Teams and classes can join the meeting throughout the day. Choose workshops from the list above.
02/
Morning Assembly
Morning assembly – an assembly introducing myself and my work – reading some extracts and taking some questions from the children (20-30 mins)
03/
Morning Sessions
Rest of the morning – workshop sessions with individual classes. Each class will have a time slot and join a meeting on Teams.
04/
Afternoon
Afternoon – more workshop sessions with individual classes as they join meetings
05/
Last Half Hour
Last half-hour – A shared meeting where children can read the work they have written in front of the whole school and a chance for any final questions.
06/
After Visit
Children would be able to order books and I will sign them and send to school.
Pricing
Virtual visits:
£300 for full day,
£150 for half day.