I have some
ideas for a great school visit, but you don’t have to use any of them. I know
that teachers are very very busy people. Planning periods seem to evaporate in
broad daylight. So, I
won’t feel hurt if you’re unable to do any of these. Just consider them
as food for thought. Yes, if I were planning a WHOLE SCHOOL author visit, I
would plan at least six months ahead of time. So, here are my short-range classroom visit ideas:
1. Get the kids involved before I come. I used to
think that it wasn’t such a good idea for teachers to read the poems ahead of
time to the class, or let them see the drawings in the book. I no longer feel
that way. Don’t worry about stealing “my thunder.” The more the kids see and
hear poetry, the more they will cherish
the author read them and show the sketches on the big classroom screen. It will
be like having another bowl of their favorite ice cream with whip cream and
cherries on top.
2. Make selective copies of your
favorite poems for your class to read and color. I give you
permission to do this since I am coming to your classroom. At Booklocker.com,
two-thirds of my book is on pdf in the trial version. Just go there and
download that version, save it, and use it freely to run off copies for your
class. Kids will have fun reading them and coloring them.
3. When I visit make sure your kids have
nametags on. First names only please—in large, easy-to-read
printed letters. This will help me immensely as a walk around and talk to the
kids.
4. Let them wear a funny hat during the show. After all,
I will be wearing my propeller hat! Why should I have all the fun?
5. Give the day itself an interesting
name such as “Silly So-til-ee Day” or Backwards Day. And then do
some silly things before I come. Teachers are good at using their imagination.
The kids will love being silly. You could always play “Simon Says.”
6. Write a simple poem with the kids, if
you have a tried and true poetry project up your sleeve.
7. Create a poetry tree on a bulletin
before I visit with some of the kids’ favorite poems written on leaves.
8. Encourage kids to purchase my book—not
because I need the money, but because it’s always a fond experience having an
author sign your own personal book and have him or her look in your eyes and
say, “Thank you very much for purchasing my book. I really appreciate it.”
9. Please make sure we take a few photos of this event. I will
bring my pocket camera. You might even want to ask you media specialist to pop
in and take photos.
Contact
me, if you have any questions at jsottile@frontiernet.net.
