Home School Writing for Life! workshops
…or, a day with an author.
Children’s author Robert Elmer helps home schoolers discover. . .
• Where to uncover exciting story “seeds.”
• How to write stories people will want to read.
• Why God cares about writing, and how it can change our lives.
"Writing for Life!" full day for home schoolers includes:
• 45-minute group assembly
• Your choice of up to four workshops (60 students maximum in each, grouped by ages 8-10 or 10-14)
• Book signing/ordering time
The Group
Assembly: A shot in the arm for budding (and reluctant) writers. Here's a Christian author who inspires young
people as he shares from his heart the challenge, excitement and fun of
becoming a writer. A trained teacher, Robert's goal is to work with you as
educators to motivate and equip your students for excellence. His 45-minute
assembly is suitable for ages 8-14, from 3rd to 8th graders and of course their
parents.
Assembly setting: Where should the assembly be held? Preferably in a church sanctuary or assembly hall that is able to accommodate all the registrants and their parents comfortably. The room should be equipped with an adequate sound system.
After the
group assembly. . .Choose any
four workshop topics for your one-day event. Each workshop allows 5-10 minutes
for Q&A.
Workshop 1:
What If and History (grades
3-5 or 6-8, 50 minutes) Historical fiction gets interesting when students learn
how to write it for themselves. They'll search an old newspaper for
springboards to write their own historical fiction, and discover it's a lot of
fun!
Workshop 2:
The End is Near! (grades 3-5
or 6-8, 50 minutes) "And they lived happily ever after" doesn't quite
cut it. We'll take a look at common ending bombs, and then discover 10 better
ways to finish stories (and articles) with punch.
Workshop 3: Words on Deadline (grades 3-5 or 6-8, 50 minutes) No, they're not all going to grow up to become news reporters. But if a student can learn to write like one, they're miles ahead of the game. Here's how to put the old "Who-what-when-etc." lesson to practical use.
Workshop 4:
Meet My Imaginary Friend (grades
3-5 or 6-8, 50 minutes) Building
realistic characters isn't so hard. First we'll search old magazines for a
picture of our character. Next, we grill them with an abbreviated personality
test. And, voila, a full-blown character emerges.
Workshop 5:
Plots Aren't Just in Cemeteries (grades
3-5 or 6-8, 50 minutes) What does
it take to build a page-turner? Car chases? Murders? Students will learn the
fundamentals of good plots as they work together to build their own story
outlines.
Workshop 6: Christians Can Be Writers, Too! (grades 3-5 or 6-8, 50 minutes) Is there such a thing as "Christian" writing? If so, what's different about it? Students learn from a Christian author how they can reach the world for Christ with their own writing-fiction and nonfiction.
Workshop setting: Where should workshops be held? In a quiet room large enough to accommodate 25-60 students, and their parent, preferably at tables seating five to seven students apiece. Remember that 60 students is the maximum.
Honorarium
Package 1 offers
four workshops to a single age group (grades 3-4 or 6-8). It includes: Group
presentation/keynote address (45 minutes). Choice of 4 workshops for either
Grades 3-5 or 6-8.
You
can schedule two days if you want both ages involved for a full day event. See
Package 2 or 3 for events involving both age groups.
Book
signing/ordering time. Bring your own books, have a book sales table at the
event or place an order for autographed books.
Lunch and recess. Bring a brown bag
lunch and enjoy the meal and some break time together.
25
students minimum required, 60 students maximum. Parents attend free of charge
with their students.
Costs:
W. Washington, S. Idaho and Out of state -- $34 per student* (includes all
handout masters, author's fee, transportation, lodging, and a certificate for
each student). Group's minimum commitment: $850.
In E. Washington/N. Idaho
-- $27 per student* (includes all handout masters, author's fee, gas, lodging
if needed, and a certificate for each student). Group's minimum commitment:
$675
Honorarium
Package 2 offers two workshops each to
two age-level groups. It includes: 2 Sessions - Morning for grades 3-5 and
Afternoon for grades 6-8. 45 minute group presentation/keynote address for each
session. Choice of 2 workshops for each session.
Book
signing/ordering time between and after sessions. Bring your own books, have a book sales table at the event
or place an order for autographed books…
20
students minimum required each session, 60 students maximum each session.
Parents attend free of charge with their students.
Costs:
Out of Washington state -- $21 per student* (includes all handout masters,
author's fee, transportation, lodging, and a certificate for each student).
Group's minimum commitment: $840. In Washington/N. Idaho -- $17 per student*
(includes all handout masters, author's fee, gas, lodging if needed, per diem
and a certificate for each student). Group's minimum commitment: $680.
Honorarium
Package 3 also
offers two workshops to two smaller age-level groups. It includes: 2 Sessions:
Morning for grades 3-5 and Afternoon for grades 6-8. 45 minute group
presentation/keynote address for each session. Choice of 2 workshops for each
session.
Book
signing/ordering time between sessions. Bring your own books, have a book sales
table at the event or place an order for autographed books..
15
students minimum required each session, 60 students maximum each session.
Parents attend free of charge with their students.
Costs:
W. Washington, S. Idaho and Out of state -- $29 per student* (includes all
handout masters, author's fee, transportation, lodging, and a certificate for
each student). Group's minimum commitment: $870.
In
E. Washington/N. Idaho -- $23 per student* (includes all handout masters,
author's fee, gas, lodging if needed, per diem and a certificate for each
student). Group's minimum commitment: $690.
* NOTE: These are Robert's fixed costs. However, local organizers may decide to charge participants slightly higher fees per person to cover facility rental, coffee break/snack supplies, publicity and copying costs, babysitting on site etc. Once a deposit has been paid the balance of Robert's honorarium will be payable by check on the day of the event.
Sample
Schedule A (for
Package 1, in which there is a single age group all day)
8:45
- 9:00 Check-in and late registration-nametags
9:00
-- 9:50 Introductions and Group Assembly
9:50
- 10:00 Break
10:00
- 10:50 Workshop 1
10:50
- 11:00 Break
11:00
-11:50 Workshop 2
11:50
-12:30 Lunch and recess (with parent's supervision)
12:30
-1:00 Book Signing/Ordering time
1:00
--1:50 Workshop 3
1:50
- 2:00 Break
2:00--2:50
Workshop 4
2:50
Session dismissed
2:50 - 3:30 Informal time with the author, book signing/ordering
Sample Schedule B (for Package 2 or 3, in which there are two age group sessions)up-Session l
9:00
-- 9:50 Introductions and Group Assembly for grades 3-5 only
9:50
- 10:00 Break
10:00-10:50
Workshop 1 for grades 3-5
10:50
- 11:00 Break
11:00
-11:50 Workshop 2 for grades 3-5
11:50
Session 1 dismissed
11:50
- 12:20 Book signing/ordering for session 1
12:20
- 12:50 Lunch for speaker
12:45 - 1:00 Check-in, late registration, nametags for older kids
1:00 - 1:50 Introductions and Group Assembly for grades 6-8 only
1:50
- 2:00 Break
2:00-2:50
Workshop 1 for grades 6-8
2:50--3:00
Break
3:00--3:50
Workshop 2 for grades 6-8
3:50
Session 2 dismissed
3:50
- 4:30 Book signing/ordering for session 2, chat with the author
You should
provide: sound system for
assembly lapel mike for workshop room (if the room is large and over 25
students) whiteboard or chalkboard (needed for all workshops)
TV, VCR or
overhead projector with fresh markers, large screen (if required for the
workshops selected)
Copies of all
required handouts. (Robert will send you handout masters and instructions for
you to copy.)
Lunch and water
for Robert (bottle, glass or whatever)
Students
should bring: pencil or pen,
paper and sack lunch for all day events
Important:
Will parents participate? Parents
are asked to attend as observers with their children (at no charge). They'll be
welcome to sit behind the students' tables. It is important that they know what
was presented so they can follow up on the lessons and assignments after the
event. In most cases, workshops are structured so that students will work with
each other.
If a parent
cannot attend, they should appoint another parent to supervise their children,
especially during breaks and lunch (no more than 5:1 ratio). Please make sure
parents understand this arrangement. There will be no one else available to
supervise their children. Also, only those children registered are allowed to
attend the event - including the group assembly. Your group might consider
offering on-site babysitting for a fee for the day of the event.
Autographed
Book Sales:
A book order form for Robert's
books will be provided to each student the morning of the event. Orders will be
collected at the end of each session. Once a final tally of book orders are
received with the appropriate funds, Robert will personally autograph each book
and ship them asap to your Book Order Coordinator to distribute. Turnaround is
usually 2-3 weeks once we receive the orders. Generally orders can be picked up
at a home school meeting or a pickup day can be arranged. Option: Arrangements
can be made to have the books ordered before the event-talk to us about this!
Deposit: A non-refundable deposit of $250 is due within
three weeks after the contract is signed and sent in. The balance, (depending
upon the number of registrants above the minimum required), is payable on the
day of the event with a check made out to "Robert Elmer”. The free
attendees (children of the two coordinators) don't count toward required event
minimums.
Cancellation
Policy-Please read this carefully. An
event may be cancelled up to but not later than 21 days in advance. But the
deposit is non-refundable, because Robert will block out your scheduled dates
and make transportation plans. Also, if Robert arrives at a scheduled event you
will need to pay the minimum registration amount (fee per student times minimum
number of students attending for both morning and afternoon sessions) even if
not enough registrants show up to cover that fee. Remember that free attendees
(children of the two coordinators) don't count toward required event minimums.
Here's how it works
The Home school group will —
1. Appoint one
Event Coordinator and one Book Order Coordinator. BONUS: Each coordinator may
enroll up to two of their own children free of charge. Free attendees do not
count toward required minimum student counts.
2. Select the
package your group wants and poll your group to pre-determine projected
attendance. This is important, since Robert needs to make travel arrangements
and you'll be sending a non-refundable deposit.
3. Determine a
date that will not conflict with sports, holidays, or other planned events.
4. Return the
seminar contract form with a non-refundable deposit of $250, once preliminary
arrangements have been solidified. (Within 3-4 weeks)
5. Have the
Event Coordinator read the Coordinator's Instructions (included with contract)
and follow the guidelines for planning your event.
6. Reserve a
suitable meeting place for students and parents. The site must have table and
chairs, sound system, overhead projector and screen, whiteboard and TV/VCR if
needed for the selected workshops (see workshop descriptions).
7. Select the
workshops from the choices indicated.
8. Work out a
schedule for the day and have it approved. A typical day starts at 9:00 and
ends by 4:00-4:30. See the sample schedules.
9. Create a
simple brochure or publicity handout with your registration details. (Let
registrants know they need to bring a sack lunch and paper and pencil.) You may
wish to encourage early registration with a discounted price and then charge
more for late registration. It helps to get early commitments!
10. Publicize
the event 6-8 weeks in advance. Invite other area groups to participate.
11. Collect
pre-registrations and drive-up registrations.
12. Have the
facility set up and heated at least one hour before the event and cleaned up
afterwards.
13. Have the
Book Order Coordinator read the instructions for book ordering, make the
appropriate copies, collect book orders and money at and after the event and
determine a time to distribute the books at a later date.
14. Enjoy the
event!
Home school gatherings where Robert has spoken
Huntsville, Alabama
Clinton, South Carolina
Abbotsford, British Columbia
Greenville, South Carolina
Hartford, Connecticut
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Newark, Delaware
College Station, Texas
Boca Raton, Florida
Boise, Idaho
Orlando, Florida
Nampa, Idaho
Kankakee, Illinois
Bellevue, Washington
Springfield, Illinois
Wausau, Wisconsin
Appleton, Wisconsin
Baltimore, Maryland
Seattle, Washington
Rochester, New York
Lawrenceville, Georgia
Greenville, North Carolina
Burlington, Washington
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Memphis, Tennessee
Hershey, Pennsylvania
Dallas, Texas
Quakertown, Pennsylvania
Bonners Ferry, Idaho
Charleston, South Carolina
Kansas City, Kansas