GOALS:

To introduce children to the research and writing process behind the biographies they love plus the surprising choices biographers must make.

To provide tips and techniques students can use in their own projects.

And to equip teachers with fresh angles for teaching the basics of writing.

ACTIVITIES:

Through surprising anecdotes and lively audience participation, author Kathleen Kudlinski demonstrates how subjects are chosen and researched by very nosey writers.

Next, she shows how to tell a real life as a satisfying story by finding themes and creating structure, building details and adjusting focus. (also applicable to autobiographies)

Finally, the steps of pre-writing, writing, revising, and revising under editorial direction are illustrated with the actual working manuscripts behind a published biography.

PRESENTER:

Kathleen Kudlinski is the author of 38 children’s books, including 12 biographies for middle grade readers. Subjects include Dr. Seuss, Rosa Parks, Rachel Carson, Joan of Arc, Harriet Tubman, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and more. Kudlinski is an experienced classroom teacher who frequently visits libraries and classrooms across New England.

AUDIENCE: Gr. 3-8

TIME: 1hr.

COST: $300 per program; $1000 for four presentations in one day.

Books may be sold to offset the cost of this program and increase its impact on students.

CONTACT: Kathleen Kudlinski at kathkud@aol or by phone at 203-457-9185.