Posts Tagged ‘school presentations’
Back to the Future
Posted on: January 25, 2019
On my recent trip back to my home province of Alberta, I was fortunate to visit two schools where I did presentations, readings, and workshops. I may have mentioned before that doing school presentations is my favourite part of being a writer. These two visits were very special.
I was invited by a school in Airdrie, Alberta to visit as the Grade 4 classes are currently reading Amanda in Alberta – The Writing on the Stone. I did four presentations to the grade four classes at Herons Crossing School the day after I landed in Calgary. The students were delightful and devoted Amanda Travels fans. Some had read all the books. They said they enjoyed the use of cliffhangers in the stories. I love that kind of feedback. They were all well behaved and asked very good questions.
Students eagerly listening while I read from Amanda in Alberta.
A few days later I visited Irvine School, just outside Medicine Hat, where I did a presentation in the library to about 70 grade 3 and 4 students. After the recess, I did a workshop with one of the Grade 4 classes.
This was a double special visit as I went to Irvine School myself many years ago and it is now the school my great-granddaughter attends. It is not the same building I attended as the original school burnt down in 1989 and has been replaced by a modern building. But it was a memorable visit for me. I brought along my old high school sweater and yearbook to show the children that I had once attended that very school.
Presentation in the library
Considering it was just a couple of days before the Christmas break, the students were very attentive and asked great questions. After sitting on the floor for quite some time, the teacher had them get up and do a few exercises.
After the presentation, many came up to ask more questions.
Later, I facilitated a workshop on using all the senses in writing. Using a photograph as a prompt, we brainstormed words describing the five senses. Everyone participated. Later they were given ten minutes to hand write something based on a picture, using as many of the senses as possible. Some shared their writing. I was amazed at how eager they were to do the assignment and how they produced such incredible work in a short time. A great example of how children still love to read and write.
Facilitating a workshop with eager participants is so much fun.
My oldest grandson was my driver, helper, and photographer. He was a huge help.
My grandson and his niece (my great-granddaughter)
I was so impressed with the school, the teachers and the staff. There was such a positive vibe in the place. Wonderful quotes decorated the hallway walls.
And look what I found on a door in the girl’s washroom!
Talk about positive reinforcement!
I went back to my old school and found that the future is in good hands.
Thank You, Superheroes
Posted on: April 28, 2018
- In: Books | Inspiration | People
- 42 Comments
Jennie over at A Teacher’s Reflections posted this today and I just had to share it.
Check out Thank You, Superheroes and Jennie’s blog where she shares her teaching experience and the wonderful way she introduces her young students to books, reading, music, art and life. You will be impressed.
Today is National Superhero Day and this is what Jennie has to say about superheroes.
A Superhero is brave and caring, perseveres, takes risks, helps others, and saves the day. A Superhero makes a difference.
Teachers fit the description perfectly.
I recently spent a fabulous day at an international school close to my home in Spain. I visited five classrooms of Grade 5 and 6 students, where I did a PowerPoint presentation about my writing and read from my Amanda Travels books. The students came from all over the world and enjoyed hearing about the places Amanda has travelled to. They were attentive, enthusiastic and asked well thought out questions. They were a delight to spend time with.
Presenting to students at El Limonar International School
A book-loving grade 6 class
I was very impressed by the efficiency and dedication of the teachers. They are certainly ensuring that future generations are well educated and prepared for life. I consider them all superheroes.
Display for Book Week at El Limonar International School
With my Grade 3 Superhero, Miss Roll
A good teacher can make a huge difference in a child’s life.
Did you know a teacher that you consider a superhero?
My Books in Good Hands
Posted on: February 20, 2018
- In: Books | Inspiration | People
- 69 Comments
One of the joys of writing is hearing from readers and seeing pictures of them with my books. I am pleased to have many faithful followers of the Amanda Travels series. Some have been reading about Amanda’s travels since I published the very first book, eight years ago. Here are a few pictures of my books in the hands of young readers.
This avid reader bought a set of books for herself and for her friend, with her own money!
This young reader has been an Amanda fan from the start.
And she is still reading the books in Trinidad!
A sweet little Amanda fan.
Another special fan, from Australia!
Special visitors at a book signing.
These students still attend my presentations.
More students who love Amanda.
This clever young woman has already written three books of her own.
A special fan in Spain
A blogging friend’s gift to her granddaughter
Happy to get another Amanda book for her birthday.
Eager readers attend a book launch.
New fans at the first book launch, 8 years ago.
She enjoys reading her great-grandmother’s books
A keen fan reading to her great-great-grandmother.
I also love hearing from those who have read my books. Here is a lovely email from a young reader.
Hi, Darlene, my name is Kynnlei and Marion is my auntie. She gave me three of your books and they are some of my favourite books. Please keep writing and she will keep buying. We give you encouragement to do what you are passionate about.
And this from a young man being homeschooled who read two of my books for his reading assignments.
Dear Darlene:
I am doing a book report on your book titled, “Amanda in Alberta”. I liked it! My favourite part is the horse ride in chapter 6. I have been to many of these places, mostly with my dad in the semi truck. Did you visit all of the places in your book? Can you make a book of “Amanda in Iceland”? I think that would be awesome! Thank you for writing these amazing books!
Sincerely; Kegan
I understand he got very good marks on his assignments.
This is why I am so passionate about writing for kids!
If you have a picture of you or someone reading one of my books, please send it to me as I love to collect them.
- In: Books | Dreams | Family
- 71 Comments
When I went back to Canada at the end of last year, I was pleased to be able to spend time at my favourite places – schools, libraries and bookstores, where I read from my latest book and spoke about my writing. It was a busy time but also a lot of fun. Here are a few pictures of my events and presentations.
I held the launch of Amanda on the Danube – The Sounds of Music at Albany Books in Tsawwassen, BC. Ruth and the staff at this cosy, well-stocked bookstore have been so supportive of my books over the years. I was pleased to be back and to see so many of Amanda´s fans attend.
My daughter at the book launch as well as a dear friend.
Book launch at Albany Books, November 19 2016
With Suzanne de Montigny, another author, who I featured here on my blog
I visited a number of schools in the Vancouver area where I showed a PowerPoint presentation I created, read from the book and answered questions about the book, me and my writing. The children were so attentive and asked amazing questions. One girl asked if she could take notes!
At Charles Dickens Elementary
The children liked the visuals I created from my own photographs in the PowerPoint presentation.
Answering questions at Holly Elementary in Surrey, BC
I thought this was such a funny poster in the library.
I also visited Webster Niblock School in Medicine Hat, Alberta, my hometown. I read to the grade one and two classes in the library and then to the grade three to six classes in the gym. It was the largest group I have ever spoken to.
The students loved the pictures of my dog Dot.
Lots of questions from the crowd.
The special thing about this visit was that it is the school my great granddaughter, Emma attends.
In Calgary, I spent a morning with the students at Red Deer Lake School in their magical library.
Because I was travelling, I couldn´t bring my props with me. Fortunately, friends lent me appropriate things for my displays, including a nutcracker, which is featured in the book.
I just love these school libraries.
The most special event for me was a presentation at The Medicine Hat Library. Although the original library I visited as a child is no longer there, it was still a very nostalgic time for me. I took my children to this library and now my grandchildren and great grandchildren frequent it. Many friends, family and fans attended, some travelling long distances, which warmed my heart.
Six-year-old great granddaughter attending my presentation at the local library. Who would have thought this would ever happen??
Friends and family travelled far to attend my presentation.
It was a dream come true for me! Yes, you can go home again. Everyone made me feel so special. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!
And thank you for travelling with me on my book tour.
Doing What I Love
Posted on: June 8, 2013
- In: Books
- 21 Comments
This week I did something I absolutely love to do. I gave a presentation to the grade 4 and 5 class at Tomsett Elementary School. The students read Amanda in Arabia – The Perfume Flask as part of their reading program this term. The children were wonderful and asked great questions. They were genuinely interested in the story, the setting and my writing process.
I brought some items from The United Arab Emirates including the actual perfume flask featured in the story. I also brought some of the pictures I took while visiting the UAE. I explained how looking at the pictures gave me ideas for the story when I started to write. The students were invited to come up to the table and look at the items and pictures. They especially enjoyed the pictures of the goats in the trees and the stone huts.
After my presentation, the teacher made a draw for three Amanda in Spain-The Girl in the Painting books as a reward for good behaviour. The winners were very excited to have a copy of the next Amanda adventure. The students then presented a wonderful card they made just for me.
Inside the card was a picture of each student with a comment about the book.
This is a card I will treasure forever.
I was delighted to see that the students created colourful prayer mats as an art project. There was also a description of what a prayer mat is and how it is used. This was my intention when I wrote the book; to encourage children to learn about other cultures.
I’ve been invited by the teacher to return and see the storyboards the students have since created based on Amanda in Arabia that line the hallway.
This is what writing is all about for me.
Darlene Foster's Blog 