Author Visits

SHARON STANLEY

Children’s Author

Author Visit Programs

Invite children’s author, Sharon Stanley to your school, library, or daycare center for a fun day of hands-on workshops. Ms. Stanley shares her excitement for writing and inspires readers of any age to become writers. She strives for a balance between education and fun during her programs. Her life on a working farm is a crop circle of craziness that affords her a never-ending supply of subject matter for all the stories she writes.

Until the publication of Mrs. Cow Knits a Sweater, teachers and librarians may select a book of their liking to present along with the selected workshop below.

School Visits:

Workshop 1: Meet the author and discussion: “Life on a Working Farm”

(Grades Pre-K - 2)

The session begins with a brief introduction followed by discussing farm life. Sharon will read her book Mrs. Cow Knits a Sweater and conduct an interactive discussion of asking the children questions as to what they know about farms and encouraging them to ask their own questions.

We will end the program with a craft activity (such as sewing cards or coloring sheet).

Workshop 2: Meet the author and discussion: “What Happens Next Illustration Prompts” (Grades Pre-K – 2)

The session begins with a brief introduction and reading of Mrs. Cow Knits a Sweater followed by a discussion as to how illustrations prompt the reader as to what will happen next in the story. An interactive discussion will be had with the children throughout the reading to encourage them to comment as to what they see in the illustrations. (Questions: What do you see on a farm?, What animals live on a farm?, and What color is your sweater?).

We will end the program with an activity sheets (i.e., Circle the sheep, cows, horses, pigs, etc., Where is Mrs. Cow, Maze, or Matching farm animals).

Workshop 3: Meet the author and discussion: “Where Do Story Ideas Come From”

(Grades: 3-5)

The session begins with a brief introduction and reading of Mrs. Cow Knits a Sweater followed by a discussion as to “where do story ideas come from?” Sharon will share how everyday life events spark her creative writing flow for new storylines. We will play a game designed to help the children brainstorm their own ideas for stories.

We will end the program with a fun craft activity (puzzle, maze, color sheet or “idea wheel”).

Workshop 4: Meet the author and discussion: “How a Book Becomes a Book”

(Grades: 3-5)

The session begins with a brief introduction and reading of Mrs. Cow Knits a Sweater followed by a discussion as to “how a book becomes a book.” We will discuss what a book is before it is a book, and how it becomes a book…from manuscript, submitting to potential publishers, approval and/or rejection, editing, illustrations, and final printed copy. Sharon will share her personal road to publication experiences and how she handled the “nasty word”… Rejection to her advantage.

The students will be prompted to write a 2-3 sentence paragraph on how they think a rejection letter can improve their writing. After about 10 minutes students will be asked to share their journal entry with the class if they so wish.

Bookstore or Library Visits:

Workshop 1: Meet the author, story time and craft time (Ages: 4-8)

The session begins with a brief introduction and reading of Mrs. Cow Knits a Sweater followed by an interactive discussion as to what they see in the illustrations (i.e., encouraging attendees to point out specifics of farm life).

We will end the program with a craft activity (i.e., sewing cards, mask making, pom pom flower, color sheet, or friendship bracelet). The type of activity is determined once age group determined.

Attendees are encouraged to bring a ball of yarn for charity.

NOTE:

All programs are designed to support Virginia SOLs for English and fine arts.

Prior to Ms. Stanley’s visit, she will meet with you in-person or discuss via telephone your curriculum and how best to structure the workshop around your state guidelines and your particular requirements.

All workshops are scheduled around a standard classroom time frame of approximately 40-45 minutes.

A personalized Certificate of Participation and autographed bookmarks will be presented to each student/attendee.

RATES: Available upon request.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Sharon Stanley                       

Ashland, VA  23005                          

804-798-3008

slpstanley0414@yahoo.com

www.sharonstanleywrites.blogspot.com