A young girl once told me, “You take boring stuff and make it fun!” It’s one of the best compliments I’ve ever received as a non-fiction writer. And next to writing, I love talking about writing with kids, teachers and parents. I hope I have the opportunity to visit your school or library some day. Here are some of the workshops I offer.

It’s called HiSTORY for a reason!

• Appropriate for: all elementary grades and middle school grades
• Wanna hear a secret? I didn’t really like history when I was young. It seemed like boring stuff filled with dates and battles. But then I discovered history was full of interesting people and amazing stories. In this workshop, I’ll share some of my favorite stories from history. Kids will learn about how Howard Carter turned a would-be forgotten pharaoh into one of the most famous mummies of all time, how Ben Franklin tricked his big brother and how he used a spy to help secure America’s independence. Kids will also hear the story of Cleopatra, the Trojan War and the man who unknowingly was the first person to reach both the North and South Poles.

Let’s Explore

• Appropriate for: all elementary and middle school grades
• Are your students studying a particular historical period? I can come share some interesting information on ancient Egypt, ancient Rome or ancient Greece, or Founding Father Benjamin Franklin or the Polar Regions. Ideas and directions for classroom projects relating to the topic are included.

Let’s Write

• Appropriate for: upper elementary and middle school grades
• As a former instructor at the Thurber Writing Academy, I can bring a variety of writing workshops to schools. These workshops can be whole group or designed for young writers who are especially interested. Contact me for details.

Research Tricks Revealed

• Appropriate for: middle school students
• Non-fiction writers are students, too. For example, when I started writing about many of my history topics, I knew very little about them! I had to learn from the ground up, just like anybody who has to write a school report or essay. In this workshop, students will learn some tips on how to find a good source, organize ideas, notes and time and how to put it all together into writing. A great way to reinforce skills learned in the classroom.

More Than Just Ice

• Appropriate for: all elementary grades and middle school grades
• It’s just ice. Right? That’s what I thought, too, before I began researching and writing about the Polar Regions. The Arctic and Antarctic are fascinating places and truly the last frontiers on the Earth to explore. In this workshop, based on my book Amazing Arctic and Antarctic Projects You Can Build Yourself, students will hear about what makes the Polar Regions so unique and about the animals who call the coldest places on Earth “home.” We’ll also discuss why it’s so important that we take care of the North and South Poles. The presentation includes time for Q & A about the writing process and what it’s like to be a writer.

In addition to the workshops listed, I can speak on a variety of topics. If you don’t see what you’re looking for, just ask. I’m happy to tailor my presentations to your group. Some topics I’m available to address:

• The writing process
• The publishing process
• Revisions
• Working with young writers in the classroom
• Raising an enthusiastic reader and writer
• Handling school issues (for parents)