SCHOOL VISITS
"Kate was so engaging with my students and asked them in-depth questions about the book that really made them think critically about what was happening . . . This literary experience is one that my students will always treasure and remember, and I am so thrilled to have been able to provide it for them!"
— Keely P'Pool, Bowling Green City Schools
Surprise virtual book-club visit
Spring 2022:
Virtual & In-Person visits:
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Online visits run about 50 minutes
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Kate discusses research, reading & writing
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Last 10 minutes for student questions
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Visits can be tailored to teacher's topics
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Classes from kindergarten to 6th grade
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Writing workshops available upon request
virtual visits:
Let's get together In-Person
It's not always easy to justify bringing in an author to speak. But author visits are exciting ways to get kids pumped up about reading and writing. With schools under pressure to perform and devote so much classroom time to assessments, I have put together talks and writing workshops that focus on the fundamentals of writing, reading & research:
Using more descriptive language
Basic elements of storytelling, voice & point of view
How to open with a BANG & tools for getting started
Research and how it can add color to creative writing
Outlining & building the skeleton of a story
The Scroll of Doom
I have students help me with "The Scroll of Doom," a 65-foot long roll of laminated rejection letters I accumulated over the years. I heard quite a few "no's" before landing that first book contract! And the scroll helps demonstrate what resilience and perseverance look like.
Students unfurling The Scroll of Doom in school's library
Kindergarten to 6th Grade
Kindergarten - 2nd grade
I present on the basics of storytelling and how ideas turn into books, sharing examples from my own books and writing life.
3rd - 4th grades
We discuss creative writing, from ideas to story structure to choosing the right words. And we talk about what research looks like. Because graphic novels are so popular, I can also present a talk on how to write one!
5th - 6th grades
I get into the specifics of storytelling, from POV to voice to plotting, as well as the Three Rs of Writing – reading, revising & resilience. We can talk about superheroes, graphic novels, and more.
VIrtual surprise
Virtual visits are a fun way to energize a class. And I have a lot of fun dropping into book clubs and classrooms for a surprise visit and low-key conversation with Q&A!