We have created workshops to provide educators and librarians with resources to tackle subjects within their curriculum, and to explore issues that they confront in working with children. Each subject title links to a more complete description of the workshop specifics.

WORKSHOPS FOR EDUCATORS AND LIBRARIANS:

Research - How the Pros do it (and you can, too)
We will show how carefully chosen research and anecdotal personal experience can work together to enhance student writing and illustration.

Boy, Were We Wrong! Seeing Science as Story
The workshop will demonstrate how the scientific method drives the ever-changing history of science; an exciting story of discovery, conflict, disaster, and triumph. It will also introduce the scientific method as a path to clear and critical thinking in students.

Writing, Books, and Bullies
We will demonstrate how writing and high quality children’s literature can be tools to deal with bullying.

Introducing Math Concepts Through Children’s Literature
Here, we familiarize teachers and/or parents with many children’s books appropriate for math instruction, and introduce simple, specific lessons based on these books.

More workshops coming soon!

SCHOOL PROGRAMS:

Behind Biography
This program will introduce children to the research and writing process behind the biographies they love plus the surprising choices biographers must make. It will also provide tips and techniques students can use in their own projects, and equip teachers with fresh angles for teaching the basics of writing.

Get Ready to Unplug: Turn OFF the TV and Turn ON a Book!
This family program offers a set of lively, creative activities designed to encourage the enjoyment of books.

Inside Historical Fiction
This program introduces children to the research techniques and writing processes that work seamlessly inside the historical novels they love.

It’s All In Your Head: How To Get That Story Out!
To encourage children to think of writing stories as a fun and highly satisfying activity, with emphasis on the fun part, Kate Duke introduces a few basic story-building rules. She shows how their imaginations can be harnessed – but not damped – to make their narratives better.

Living the Wave
An introduction for children about the amazing adaptations of the animals and plants who live their lives amid crashing waves, this program will help them to understand the actions of waves and tides, and encourage children to explore nature for themselves.

Stories From the Sea
Introduces children to the importance of setting and character, and encourages them to incorporate their natural environment, especially wildlife, into their own writing.

Story Spinning: How Great Stories (and Books) are Made
Designed to give children the tools and confidence to create simple, original stories and to help them understand how stories become the published books in their libraries. And to give teachers new and interesting ways to teach basic skills.

Tarantulas!
Teaches about tarantulas in a fun, interactive way.

Writing Lively: Bringing the Excitement back to Expository Writing
Aimed at even the most reluctant writer and couched in student-friendly terms this program is chock full of practical tips and techniques that students (and their teachers) can use in their reports, on timed tests, and in any other writing situation.

More school programs coming soon!