Susanna Leonard Hill
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For Teachers Bring Writing To Life In Your Classroom!Everyone enjoys a break from the routine. Help your students discover the joy of reading and writing. Encourage them to exercise their imaginations. Give them the tools to share their own stories. Introduce them to a Children's Author!
 Enjoy A Classroom Visit!I am available for book signings, book fairs, classroom visits and writing workshops. I love getting the opportunity to share my passion for writing with kids. I am happy to tailor my presentations to specific areas teachers wish to address so that students get the most from classroom visits. Although my current books are best suited for PreK through 3rd Grade, I can easily adapt writing activities for older students.
 Interested In A Visit?Here is some basic information:
The Program For my presentation, I will read one of my books and explain the process of how a book is made. I will show original and edited manuscripts, character sketches, galleys, proofs, and original artwork so that students can see all the pieces that go into creating a book. I will discuss where ideas come from and I will talk about the writing process and the importance of rewriting and editing (because most people don’t get things exactly right the first time!) I will discuss how the author’s and the illustrator’s visions may be very much the same or very different, and will show examples of both from my work. (How much detail I go into, or whether I even discuss all of these topics, depends on the age and interest of the students.) I have a Phyllis puppet, so Punxsutawney Phyllis is particularly suited to audience participation and entertainment. (Phyllis likes to sing and has made up her own song about Groundhog Day!) This makes an especially great visit around Groundhog Day, but kids enjoy it year round. I have supplemental materials available including coloring pages and paper doll kits for the kids, and ideas teachers can use in conjunction with my books. Curriculum Subject Areas Animals and Nature Careers Family Fiction Groundhog Day Seasons Sequencing Weather Writing Fees Please contact me to discuss fees by going to the Contact page on the toolbar above. Willing to Travel Dutchess and surrounding counties in New York (up to 100 mile radius of the Millbrook/Poughkeepsie area) Western Connecticut Perhaps other places. Please ask! Preferred Audience Nursery/PreSchool Kindergarten Elementary Grades 1-3 Preferred Venue Classroom or Library Small groups Medium groups To Arrange Booking Please contact me by going to the Contact page on the toolbar above. Using My Books In Your ClassroomPunxsutawney Phyllis is ideal for learning about Groundhog Day. You can use the story as a starting point for a lesson about this winter holiday. Details about Groundhog Day and Punxsutawney Phil are appended for your teaching convenience, so it is easy to expand your lesson.
Phyllis is also a story about believing in yourself. Use the story as the starting point for a discussion about what your students believe they can do, or for a writing exercise on the same idea.  Students at Elm Drive Elementary made groundhog pictures and added their predictions about what would happen on Groundhog Day!  Students at Beekman Elementary School wallpapered their library with pictures of Phyllis and Uncle Phil! The House That Mack Built explains, in simple terms, how to build a house. Use the story as a springboard for the children to make up their own "how-to" stories.
Mack is also a rhyme, so it can be used to explore the idea of creating simple couplets that rhyme and also make sense. Mack can also be used to demonstrate the importance of order in a story - you must dig the hole in the ground before you pour the foundation. Use it as the starting point for a sequencing exercise. Students in Kindergarten read The House That Mack Built, then "built" houses of their own using a square or rectangle for the bottom, and a triangle for the top. This activity can be done on the computer or with paper and crayons. Thanks to Cathie Morton at Elm Drive Elementary for this great idea!  Kindergarten students read The House That Mack Built and then "built" their own houses! Classroom-Ready Activities Schools I visit receive an Author Kit which includes a number of classroom-ready activities. If you are interested in using these activities without a visit, please email me to inquire about receiving them by going to the Contact page on the toolbar above. Available resources are listed in the sidebar at right. |
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