Why I Consider it a Privilege to Visit Schools I think kids are the most important people in the world. I want to encourage them to dream; to ask tough questions; to follow their hearts in order to discover the things that interest them most. Children’s book authors have a unique ability to connect with their audiences emotionally through the written word. I like using my writing to help kids process their own feelings and emotions - to let them know that strong emotions are okay, and that they are not alone in what they are experiencing. My Workshops I tailor my talks to suit the needs of the schools I visit. I can gear my presentations towards upper elementary, middle school or high school students. My workshops include: Creative Writing Choose a topic - dialogue, storyingboarding, characterization, plotting, setting, revisions, other topics of interest. Your choice of hands-on exercise or lecture format. Becoming an Author - My Journey Back to Rowlesburg This talk covers my own journey to becoming a published author and shares how my family history and my father’s storytelling influenced my writing. (See Frequently Asked Questions for a little preview!) The Relationship Between the Craft of Writing and Personal Growth Writing is a very psychological endeavor. This talk covers how writing is enhanced by the writer’s own efforts towards personal growth. Grief in Literature Reading can be an effective way for children and young adults to learn about ways of dealing with grief and other strong emotions. In this workshop I provide an overview of age-appropriate books that deal with the topic of grief in its many forms, and discuss my own novel, How To Stop a Moving Train. Other Topics Is there something special you’d like me to discuss at your school? Contact me! Press_Kit.htmlmailto:Fran@francannonslayton.com?subject=email%20subjectshapeimage_3_link_0shapeimage_3_link_1

A big welcome to all teachers and librarians!  I appreciate you stopping by my website.  On this page you’ll find information about my school visits as well as curriculum tie-ins to How To Stop a Moving Train.  Please feel free to email me if you’d like additional information.

Additional Information Cost $400.00 per day for up to four sessions per day, plus travel, food, and lodging costs as required. Discounts are available for schools willing to pre-sell a set number of books before the visit. As is recommended in the industry, I will provide a simple contract to ensure clear communication. Splitting Costs & Funding a School Visit If cost is an issue schools can save money by splitting the visit with another local school so each school has two sessions. Or you may opt for a full day visit and split travel expenses with another school or organization that also desires a full day visit. Local train- related organizations, Irish-American groups, or Catholic churches may be interested in partnering with you to keep down costs. For information on grant writing and opportunities, click here or here. To subscribe to a fee-based school grants newsletter, click here. If your school does not allocate funds for author visits, consider a one-time fundraiser or applying for the SCBWI Amber Brown Grant which pays for author visits. Class Preparation & Curriculum Tie-Ins An author visit is a great way to get kids excited about reading! Hearing an author tell “the stories behind the story” helps kids take ownership of the text and sets their imaginations and creativity in full swing. To get your money’s worth from any author visit, it helps to prepare beforehand. Here is a great article by library media specialist and picture book author Toni Buzzeo on how to lay the groundwork to get students, teachers, and administrators excited. Teachers and librarians can help by ensuring that the students read the author’s work before the visit and taking the time to find curriculum tie-ins. For How To Stop a Moving Train such tie-ins might include the Irish Potato Famine, immigration, the role of railroads in American history, World War II, Appalachian history, West Virginia history and geography, Halloween and All Hallow’s Eve. I encourage the contact person for the visit to enlist the help of all teachers to prepare students by engaging in related activities that fall within the framework of each class. For example, during the two or three weeks prior to the visit the English teacher could focus on regional dialogue in the book; the history teacher on WWII; the art teacher could help students prepare a mural depicting Halloween or train themes, or various scenes from the book; the music teacher might focus on train or Appalachian songs, etc. This builds excitement as well as understanding and helps the kids become invested in the visit. I look forward to visiting your school! Email Me at Fran@francannonslayton.com For Additional Informationhttp://www.techlearning.com/resources/grants.phphttp://712educators.about.com/cs/grantwriting/a/grantwriting.htmhttp://www.schoolgrants.org/newsletter2.htmhttp://www.scbwi.org/awards/grants/AmberBrown.pdfhttp://cynthialeitichsmith.blogspot.com/2006/09/author-librarian-interview-toni-buzzeo.htmlmailto:Fran@francannonslayton.comshapeimage_4_link_0shapeimage_4_link_1shapeimage_4_link_2shapeimage_4_link_3shapeimage_4_link_4shapeimage_4_link_5