Writing for Life! workshops

 

“Writing for Life!” full day includes:

• 45-minute all-school assembly presentation

• Followed by your choice of up to four workshops (50 students maximum in each)

• Q&A classroom visits as time allows (typically 10 min. each)

• Optional book signing for students who already own my books

• Autographed book ordering (students will take home the order forms)

• Lunch with an Author

• “Bell to bell” availability

 Optional (but recommended) “Lunch with the Author/Booktalk”

A special time for up to six students, from any grade. Each student is given five minutes to read his or her own story and receive informal encouragement from Robert. Bring brown bags and stories or arrange to have a pizza lunch on a checkered  tablecloth! After 30 minutes, interested students are invited to chat with Robert about his 50+ books.

Honorarium

For events within Eastern Washington and the North Idaho: $650 per day.  Within the Pacific Northwest  (Western and Southwest Washington, N.W. Oregon and S. Idaho):  $825 per day all-inclusive.

Outside the Northwest:  $950 per day, which includes all travel expenses but assumes that Robert will book at least two schools in your region or two days at the same school. If you are the only school in your region but are still near a major city (within 2 hours), the fee is $1100 per day if you book just one day. Schools which are more remote or which aren’t near a major airport will generally pay a higher honorarium fee depending on airfare costs.   

Honorariums for both regional and national events are also contingent on a school’s participation in our student book order program, which is an integral but low-key component of the visit. If your school elects to not participate in the book order program an additional $200 fee applies.

*Your event date will be reserved upon receipt of the signed contract and deposit ($250). 

Travel arrangements, overnight stays

Robert will try to confirm air travel arrangements at least six weeks in advance. He will plan to arrive in your city the evening before your event.

Publicity

A small packet of publicity materials will be sent to you for use on a bulletin board or display.

Student Book Order Program

Robert will provide book order forms for teachers to pass out in the classrooms on the day of the event. All students who attend the assembly should receive an order form to take home. Kids enjoy the chance to buy autographed books from a “live” author, and books are normally shipped back to the school within two or three weeks after orders are received.  We can also arrange to sell Robert’s books before the event if that suits your school better.  That way the students can get purchased books autographed when Robert visits. Of course, book signing time will need to be scheduled into the day’s events.

References  and more

For more information, contact Robert through the contact form. References gladly provided on request.

Writing for Life!

…or, a day with an author.

Children’s author Robert Elmer helps students discover. . .

• Where to uncover exciting story “seeds.”

• How to write stories people will want to read.

• Why writing is so important, and how it can change our lives.

 

The assembly: A shot in the arm for budding (and reluctant) writers.

Here’s a full-time children’s 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 students for excellence. His 45-minute assembly is suitable for all ages, from K to 8th graders.

 

After the assembly. . .

Choose any four topics for your one-day event. Each workshop allows 5-10 minutes for Q&A, and includes both interactive/group activities and a few tips from the author.  (If your school just wants to have a day of assemblies for the different ages and grades that can be arranged-call to find out more!)

 

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: The What If? Game (grades K-2 only, 30 minutes)

Ideas can be fun, silly, serious, and everything in between. Here’s a fun game for younger grades to play to get their own ideas.

 

Workshop 5: Get in Character (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, voilá, a full-blown character emerges.

 

Workshop 6: 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.

 

Custom Workshops: Robert will be glad to discuss customizing or even creating new workshops to meet your specific needs. Two months notice is required and additional preparation fees will apply.

 

 

Workshop setting

Where should workshops be held? In a quiet room large enough to accommodate 25-50 students, preferably at tables seating five to seven students apiece. Your library may be the ideal setting. Remember that four workshops with 50 students is maximum. It is expected that the teachers will also attend the workshop.  The ideal workshop will have 35-40 students. Consider adding another day of workshops if you have lots of students to include.  There are additional fees if you want a 5^th workshop or extra assembly squeezed into the one-day schedule (see contract). 

 

Students should bring:

• pencil or pen

• paper

 

You should provide:

• a lapel mike

• whiteboard or chalkboard

• overhead projector with fresh markers, large screen (if needed for workshops selected)

• all required handouts. (Robert will send handout masters and instructions for you to copy.)

• lunch and bottled water for Robert  (turkey sub sandwich with the “works” (no mayo) is a favorite)

 

Confirm your schedule.

Workshop choices (please name the workshop by title not by number) and times should be settled no later than three weeks before the event so the handout masters can be mailed to you. Among other things, this gives you time to prepare your handouts. Here is a sample of a typical school day schedule. You may choose this one, or make your own within the guidelines (the schedule is flexible to your school’s needs but all students who are scheduled to attend a workshop must attend an assembly first as an introduction to the author).

Sample Schedule  (Day 1)

9:00 - 9:45               Assembly for all students (or whatever suits your school best)

9:45 - 9:55               Break

9:55 - 10:45            Workshop

10:45-10:55            Break

10:55 - 11:45          Workshop

11:45 - 12:45          Young Authors Luncheon with 6 students or lunch with teachers/parents

12:50 - 1:40            Workshop

1:40 – 1:50              Break

1:50 - 2:40               Workshop

2:40 – 2:50              Break

2:50 - 3:20               Classroom visits to the younger grades or book signing

Sample Schedule  (Day 2)

9:00 - 9:50               Workshop   (or second assembly for another group of students) 

9:50-10:00              Break  

10:00-10:50            Workshop

10:55 - 11:25          Classroom visits or meet with gifted students for Q&A

11:30 - 12:30          Young Authors Luncheon with 6 students or lunch with teachers/parents

12:30 - 1:20            Workshop

1:20 - 1:30               Break

1:30 - 2:20               Workshop

2:20 – 2:30              Break

2:30 - 3:20               Book signing (for those students who already own books) 

 

Let’s do lunch.

You’ll provide Robert’s lunch under one of three arrangements:

____ Student Lunch with the Author (45 mins) A special time for up to six advanced students, from    any grade. Each student is given five minutes to read his or her own story and receive informal encouragement from Robert. Bring brown bags and stories! After 30 minutes, interested students are invited to chat with Robert about his 50+ books. (Some schools make this into a contest with the prize being lunch with the author. They provide pizza and drinks or some other favorite meal set on a colorful tablecloth to make it a special event for the students.)  This is Robert’s favorite lunch preference.

___  Teacher/Parent lunch (30-35 mins) We’ll meet in the lunchroom and chat. It’s always fun. 

____ Quiet Lunch (30 mins) Give Robert a quiet room in which to eat with a newspaper to read.

Tips to Making the Most of Your Day

On your mark… (3-8 weeks before)

1. Publicize the event.  Robert will provide bio information, press release and a photo as needed. Get your parents involved and note the event in parent/teacher newsletters. Place a display in the library promoting the event. A local newspaper might also be interested in a feature article, if approached early enough. For the success of your author event, it is important to generate excitement.  (IDEA: Have a poster or story writing contest for the students and the winner(s) gets lunch with the author.)
2. Make sure your library has plenty of Robert’s books.
3. Prepare your students.  Introduce students to the books. Read Robert’s books in class. Give related assignments, for instance: on space or space exploration or The Cold War period.
4. Select the four workshops per day you want, determine your schedule for the day and fax or email this information to Robert by at least three weeks before your event date.

Get Set… (1-2 weeks before)

1. Prepare students for the author’s presentation. Have them write down the questions they’ll ask.
2. Autographed books.  Arrange to have Robert’s books available for purchase. 
3. Assign a Book Order Coordinator. Give them the coordinator’s instruction sheet.
4. Distribute the book order forms for each student to classroom teachers to give out the day of the event.
5. Advertise that the books will be available for sale and will be autographed. Remember, Robert depends on book sales in order to keep speaking fees within reach for most schools.
6. Fax or e-mail Robert directions to your school.
7. Make sure you have received the handout masters to be copied for the workshops. Copy handouts.

Go! (Day of the event)

1. Make sure your receptionist knows when the author will be arriving and where to direct him.
2. Be sure the sound system (lapel microphone preferred) is ready and tested for the assembly.
3. Have someone ready to introduce the author.
4. Arrange for overhead projector (if needed for workshops selected) and whiteboard or chalkboard in the workshop room(s).
5. Double-check that all handouts are copied and ready for each workshop group.
6. Make sure teachers all have a copy of the day’s schedule and have the book order forms to pass out to their students.
7. Let teachers know all students should bring paper and pencils. They should also plan to stay with their students during the entire assembly and workshops.
8. Make sure the author has adequate time for breaks, a glass of water, lunch with students or teachers
9. At day’s end make sure a check is ready for the author. Make out the check to Robert Elmer.
10. If you enjoyed the experience, please feel free to write and say so. Or have students write!

 

 

 

What they’re saying about Robert’s visit:

 

“You have a program you can be proud of.”

                                                —Ardith Hunter, Meadow Ridge Public Elementary, Mead, WA

 

“Thank you so very much for the encouragement that you gave all of us. Your talk was so inspiring.”  

                                                —Mary Bron, Skagit Valley Homeschool Assoc., Mt. Vernon, WA

 

“Your warm, friendly spirit and sharing from your heart was an inspiration.”  

                                                —Thomas Winger, Principal, Kent, Washington

 

“We have had a lot of enthusiastic feedback concerning your visit—particularly as to how well-geared toward kids it was.” 

                                                —Jill McPherson, Librarian, Dallas, Texas

 

“If you ever need someone to recommend your speaking engagements, please feel free to call on me. I couldn’t believe your ability to do back to back workshops and keep the kids so involved.”                          —Shirley J. Miller, Principal, Fremont, California

 

“Every child I talked to said they enjoyed the workshop and assembly.  When sixth graders enjoy something you know you’ve made a hit!”

—Darlene Simon, Librarian, Toledo, Ohio

 

“I would like to express our appreciation for presenting such a wonderful day of chapel, workshops and just plain FUN!”

—Bonnie Schroeder, Teacher, Ephrata, Washington

 

“Just wanted to thank you again for the great day.  The kids loved it!  The teachers did too.  Several people sought me out after you left just to say how much they enjoyed your workshops.”  

—Brenda Angelico, Librarian, Longview, Washington

 

“I know the students have been affected…perhaps for a lifetime.”

—Cynthia Kaczmarski, Teacher,  Naperville, Illinois

 

“Your talk at the assembly challenged our students to use their abilities and talents to write. We appreciate all that you did today.”

—Edith Bury, Librarian, Wheaton, Illinois

 

Washington State schools where Robert has spoken...

Eagle Ridge (public) Elementary School, Ferndale

Lynden (public) Middle School, Lynden

Isom (public) Intermediate School, Lynden

Fisher School (public), Lynden

Nooksack Valley (public) Middle School, Sumas

Pioneer School, (private) Spokane Valley

Meadow Ridge Elementary, (public) Mead

Olympic Range Carden Academy (private), Port Townsend

 

King’s Elementary (Crista Schools), Seattle

St. Rose of Lima Catholic School, Ephrata

Valley Christian School, Kent

Moses Lake Christian School, Moses Lake

New Life Christian School, Ephrata

Evergreen Christian School, Bellingham

Tacoma Christian School, Tacoma

Maple Valley Christian School, Renton

Bear Creek School, Woodinville

Snohomish County Christian School, Everett

Life Christian School, Tacoma

Kirkland Seventh Day Adventist School, Kirkland

Nazarene Christian School, Tumwater

West Seattle Christian School, Seattle

Tacoma Baptist School, Tacoma

Bellingham Christian School, Bellingham

Longview Christian School, Longview

Sylvan Way Baptist School, Bremerton

Evergreen Christian School, Olympia

New Hope Christian, Graham

Valley Christian School, Auburn

Cornerstone Christian, Vancouver

Christian Heritage School, Edwall

Hillcreek Christian School, Mt. Vernon

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

Private Schools around the nation where Robert has spoken...

Paradise Valley Christian School, Phoenix, AZ

Scottsdale Christian Academy, Phoenix, AZ

Tabernacle Baptist Christian School, Concord, CA

Calvary Chapel Christian School, Downey, CA

Bostonia Christian Elementary School, El Cajon, CA

Christian Community School, Fremont, CA

Redding Christian School, Redding, CA

Redwood Christian School, San Lorenzo, CA

Linfield Academy, Temecula, CA

Westminster Academy, Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Lakeland Christian School, Lakeland, FL

Landmark Christian School, Fairburn, GA

Providence Christian Academy, Lilburn, GA

Open Door Christian School, Kansas City, KS

Southfield Christian School, Detroit, MI

Crestview Elementary, Grand Rapids, MI

Princeton Christian Academy, Princeton, IL

Freedom Baptist School, Hudsonville, MI

Tri-Unity Christian School, Grand Rapids, MI

Maranatha Christian Academy, Minneapolis, MN

Wesleyan Education Center, High Point, NC

Wake Christian Academy, Raleigh, NC

Vineyard Christian School, Grants Pass, OR

West Hills Christian School, Portland, Or

Mitchell Road Christian Academy, Greenville, SC

Rosemeade Baptist Christian School, Carrollton, TS

Grace Academy, Dallas, TX

Scofield Christian School, Dallas, TX

Metropolitan Christian School, Dallas, TX

Christian Academy of Louisville, Louisville, KY

Heritage Academy, Florence, KY

Delaware Christian School, Delaware, OH

Walnut Ridge Baptist Academy, Waterloo, IA

Regent Christian Academy, Surrey, BC, CANADA

Tattnall Square Academy, Macon, Georgia

Greenwood Christian School, Greenwood, SC

Roanoke Valley Christian School, Roanoke, VA

Shiloh Christian School, Springdale, AR

Horizon Christian School, Suwanee, GA

Wheaton Christian Grammar School, Wheaton, IL

Calvary Christian School, Naperville, IL

Mokelumne River School, Lodi, CA

Umpqua Valley Christian School, Roseburg, Or

Greater Atlanta Christian School, Norcross, GA

Fellowship Christian Academy, Roswell, GA

Hickory Grove Christian School, Charlotte, NC

Lancaster Baptist Christian School, Lancaster, CA

Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA

Post Falls Christian Academy, Post Falls, ID

North Heights Christian Academy, Roseville, MN

New Life Academy, Woodbury, MN

Rockford Christian School, Rockford, IL

The King’s Academy, West Palm Beach, FL

Calvary Christian school, Naperville, IL

Portage Christian School, Portage, IN

Peoria Christian School, Peoria, IL

Concordia Elementary Lutheran School, Fort Wayne, IN

Emmanuel St. Michael Lutheran School, Fort Wayne, IN

Edgerton Christian Elementary School, Edgerton, MN

Sioux Falls Christian School, Sioux Falls, SD

Lake Worth Christian School, Boynton Beach, FL

Intermountain Christian School, Salt Lake City, UT

Brentwood Baptist Christian Academy, Des Plaines, IL

Wellington Christian School, Wellington, FL

Carmel Christian School, Matthews, NC

Covenant Day School, Matthews, NC

Charlotte Christian School, Charlotte, NC

Greater Atlanta Christian, Norcross, GA

Fellowship Christian Academy, Roswell, GA

St. Matthew Lutheran School, Walled Lake, MI

Curtis Baptist,  Augusta, GA

Wayne Christian School, Goldsboro, NC

North Hills Christian School, Salisbury, NC

Whittier Christian School, Whittier, CA

Coral Spring Christian Academy, Coral Springs, FL

Spanish River Christian School, Boca Raton, FL

Oakland Christian School, Auburn Hills, MI

Faith Lutheran School, Bay City, MI

North Heights Christian School, Roseville, MN

Calvary Christian Academy, Chula Vista, CA