Carmela Dutra's Blog - Posts Tagged "goals"
Friendship
I want to take the time today to talk about friendship. You can find friendship in many ways, from individuals you grew up with; to new people you meet along the way in life. You never know where that friendship will take you, the doors it will open, or the possibilities it will create. Friendship is something vital to one’s life, we we’re all created with this need to be around people, to associate, to love. Sometimes you do not know always know your true potential, sometimes it’s revealed through friendship. The bonds that have been created, and sadly sometimes even bonds that have been broken. Friendship can help you to grow, experience things in a new way, new understandings. Friendship isn’t limited to people you’ve known your entire life. Nor is bound by age, race, and creed; friendship is founded upon diversity, or at least it should be.
It’s interesting; people often say “I have X-amount of friends on Twitter, FaceBook, and let’s not forget Instagram!” How many of these “friends” are ones that you would truly call “MY FRIENDS!” Chances are just a handful at best. I can honestly say I have such friends that I have met on Twitter, and have on FaceBook too. A friendship built on diversity, a friendship that has even crossed the Pond! A friendship that shares a common goal, interest and desire! A friendship that I am most grateful for! A friendship that believes in supporting, helping, and encouraging one another; we started off as individuals with one goal, promote children’s literacy. Through this shared goal we came together, united in our purpose, in one purpose. If even one child, just ONE CHILD picks a book and enjoys it, and wants to keep reading, then we’ve accomplished what it is that we set out to do.
This is a new friendship we have, but it is a friendship that I treasure and never wish it to part. I want to thank all of my new friends for everything that they have done, in the ways that they have encouraged me. I hope that I have been able to give them just a fraction of what they have given me.
Furthermore, I hope everyone reading this takes away the importance or friendship, and seeks it out in their own life. Never forsaking the importance of friendship; never allowing diversity of any kind, to interfere in friendship. Each friendship is special and unique in its own way; I know ours is, and I wouldn’t trade it in! We are small but mighty group of Kid Lit Authors made up of Peeps, a Sleuthing almost eight year old detective, a lovable wolf pup name Lobo, a few gnomes to liven up the bunch. Some adorable owls a chubby brown bear full of moxie; along with so many other kinds of magic, mystery and adventure. So thank you Karen, Jamie, Kristen, C.L, Rhonda, Geena, Jill, Sue, Mrs D and Steve, MY FRIENDS!
Sail away in an adventure today, and
make some friends along the way!
Carmela Dutra
Author of The Adventures of Lorenzo the Bear
www.LorenzotheBear.com
Faceboo.com/LorenzotheBear (like me!)
Twitter.com/LorenzotheBear @LorenzotheBear
www.kidliteratureauthors.com
https://twitter.com/PeachyEmmapeachye...
www.peepandfriends.com
www.lovablelobo.com
www.danipmystery.com
www..susannavas.com
www.geenabean.com
twitter.com/steveconoboy
https://twitter.com/CARLOTHEMOUSE
It’s interesting; people often say “I have X-amount of friends on Twitter, FaceBook, and let’s not forget Instagram!” How many of these “friends” are ones that you would truly call “MY FRIENDS!” Chances are just a handful at best. I can honestly say I have such friends that I have met on Twitter, and have on FaceBook too. A friendship built on diversity, a friendship that has even crossed the Pond! A friendship that shares a common goal, interest and desire! A friendship that I am most grateful for! A friendship that believes in supporting, helping, and encouraging one another; we started off as individuals with one goal, promote children’s literacy. Through this shared goal we came together, united in our purpose, in one purpose. If even one child, just ONE CHILD picks a book and enjoys it, and wants to keep reading, then we’ve accomplished what it is that we set out to do.
This is a new friendship we have, but it is a friendship that I treasure and never wish it to part. I want to thank all of my new friends for everything that they have done, in the ways that they have encouraged me. I hope that I have been able to give them just a fraction of what they have given me.
Furthermore, I hope everyone reading this takes away the importance or friendship, and seeks it out in their own life. Never forsaking the importance of friendship; never allowing diversity of any kind, to interfere in friendship. Each friendship is special and unique in its own way; I know ours is, and I wouldn’t trade it in! We are small but mighty group of Kid Lit Authors made up of Peeps, a Sleuthing almost eight year old detective, a lovable wolf pup name Lobo, a few gnomes to liven up the bunch. Some adorable owls a chubby brown bear full of moxie; along with so many other kinds of magic, mystery and adventure. So thank you Karen, Jamie, Kristen, C.L, Rhonda, Geena, Jill, Sue, Mrs D and Steve, MY FRIENDS!
Sail away in an adventure today, and
make some friends along the way!
Carmela Dutra
Author of The Adventures of Lorenzo the Bear
www.LorenzotheBear.com
Faceboo.com/LorenzotheBear (like me!)
Twitter.com/LorenzotheBear @LorenzotheBear
www.kidliteratureauthors.com
https://twitter.com/PeachyEmmapeachye...
www.peepandfriends.com
www.lovablelobo.com
www.danipmystery.com
www..susannavas.com
www.geenabean.com
twitter.com/steveconoboy
https://twitter.com/CARLOTHEMOUSE
A New Year, and New Possibilities
Making New Year’s resolutions is a tradition that many like to uphold. Every year they pick out a few things to work on, maybe keeping the list framed by their bedside as a constant reminder. These resolutions can be anything from giving yourself more “Me Time” to starting that novel you've always wanted to work on.
What does the New Year mean to you? Is it a new beginning? A chance to excel? Maybe a time to meets goals that you didn't quite reach last year. Or an opportunity to make more powerful goals in order to push yourself further—to challenge yourself to bigger and better dreams.
Do you set a resolution for yourself? Many do, and yet out of those who do set a resolution many also fail to keep it. This can be for many different reasons, reasons beyond ones control. For me personally I do not make resolutions; I do try and better myself, my family, things I want to accomplish. But I don’t try and force myself into something, especially if I might not be able to keep it. Yes it is true what they say ‘a goal without a date is just a dream.’ But I feel you can have a goal and meet it without putting yourself into such a time crunch.
I am happy with what I accomplished last year, as I hope most everyone is as well. I like most, I have things that yes if given the chance I would like to do it differently, but that’s ok. What has happened has happened, that’s 2014’s problem. There is no use crying over spilled milk (or milk that never spilled at all).
To me the New Year brings on a chance for new possibilities. 2015 will be filled with a sense of wonder, and adventure, you just have to look for it. If you do not set for yourself a resolution, or a goal. Do you have something in which you hope to accomplish?
Here are a few things I would like to accomplish in the upcoming year.
Tackling the third and fourth Adventures of Lorenzo the Bear is high on my to-do list. Which in itself is an undertaking considering I am also the illustrator.
Officially start on my new series about a little girl and her puppy who also take adventures. I’ve already wrote it, but now after letting it sit for many months I am ready to take another look at it and dive in.
Continue more classroom visits where I get to read to, and work one on one with students. If I can have any share in helping to cultivate a love of reading, writing in them… words could not express the joy that would bring me.
I have always wanted to put pen to paper and create YA novel…… Only time will tell what I come up with.
Aside from writing and illustrating, I want to truly savor each moment. Life is very precious, something that has been thoroughly impressed upon me throughout my years of volunteer work. Never taking things for granted, not dwelling on the past, and always looking towards the future.
Most important, as we look at 2014 in the rearview mirror, I want to thank you for being with me on this passage this past year. I’m beyond grateful for your company, support, and encouragement.
So here is my challenge to you! Be it a resolution, goal or accomplishment; just be the best you can be! 2015 is your year, make it count, make it last, make it memorable. Each year is unique all on its own. Leave a comment for us all to read, and together we can make 2015 a year for the books!
Wishing you all a little to Adventure today!
Carmela Dutra
Author of Lorenzo the Bear Series
www.Lorenzothebear.com
Twitter.com/Lorenzothebear @lorenzothebear
Facebook.com/Lorenzothebear (Like me!)
www.ablogforyourthoughts.com
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr
“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.
I have a dream today!
I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of “interposition” and “nullification” — one day right there in Alabama little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.”
One of the most powerful speeches in world history: the “I Have a Dream” speech. Just saying that brings a chill down my spine. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s message to the world was not just to fight racism and segregation.
His goal was to make people believe that each individual has power, and anything can be achieved peacefully. Words, feelings, and actions to live by….
Every day brings on challenges. Challenges unique to each individual… However if everyone reflected on the words he spoke, and then acted on at least a few…… How much different would things be….
Dr. King set his goals in a time when people were being hung for sharing his opinion. Still, he was not afraid. He got many death threats while leading the civil rights movement, but this did not stop him, because he knew that giving into fear was the biggest threat to the civil rights movement.
Today is time to reflect on these things, to look at all this speech accomplished. Maybe not then at that moment in time, but decades later. What it means to you, and what you hope it will mean to others in the future.
Dr. King said, “Faith is taking the first step, even when you don’t see the whole staircase.”
Wishing you all a little to Adventure today!
Carmela Dutra
Author of Lorenzo the Bear Series
www.Lorenzothebear.com
Twitter.com/Lorenzothebear @lorenzothebear
Facebook.com/Lorenzothebear (Like me!)
www.ablogforyourthoughts.com
I have a dream today!
I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of “interposition” and “nullification” — one day right there in Alabama little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.”
One of the most powerful speeches in world history: the “I Have a Dream” speech. Just saying that brings a chill down my spine. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s message to the world was not just to fight racism and segregation.
His goal was to make people believe that each individual has power, and anything can be achieved peacefully. Words, feelings, and actions to live by….
Every day brings on challenges. Challenges unique to each individual… However if everyone reflected on the words he spoke, and then acted on at least a few…… How much different would things be….
Dr. King set his goals in a time when people were being hung for sharing his opinion. Still, he was not afraid. He got many death threats while leading the civil rights movement, but this did not stop him, because he knew that giving into fear was the biggest threat to the civil rights movement.
Today is time to reflect on these things, to look at all this speech accomplished. Maybe not then at that moment in time, but decades later. What it means to you, and what you hope it will mean to others in the future.
Dr. King said, “Faith is taking the first step, even when you don’t see the whole staircase.”
Wishing you all a little to Adventure today!
Carmela Dutra
Author of Lorenzo the Bear Series
www.Lorenzothebear.com
Twitter.com/Lorenzothebear @lorenzothebear
Facebook.com/Lorenzothebear (Like me!)
www.ablogforyourthoughts.com
Ready. Set. Read!
Most of my blogs tend to stick within the same subject brand: reading, writing, arts, how this affects us, why do we do it, the benefits, etc. Like most children’s authors I have covered the subject (almost beating into the ground) the importance of reading to our little ones. 
Listing reasons as to why we should do this #1: Exposure to Language #2: Closing the Word Gap (the list of reasons can go on forever!). Or discussing what makes a good reader? Then asking you as the reader to weigh in on this blog with your thoughts, or things that you appreciated doing, or wish you had done differently.
What is the point to this blog you ask? Well, not only will I be venturing into a new topic to blog about, but I will now also be able to weigh in with a different point of view; one as a parent. I always felt I had freedom of speech went it comes to things since I was helping raise my nephew during those crucial years. Well frankly, even if you don’t have children you can still offer practical wisdom and advice.
My role is now slightly reversed from that of an aunt, to that of an expectant mother. I still stand by everything I have ever said: The importance of reading to children from the very start, the impact music can have on their developing mind, and as an artist first and author second, the important role of art in their lives.
As I count down the days until I discover the gender of our little bowling ball (yes from me that is a term of endearment, besides I was called a baby moose by my mother LOL) I think about the things I want to inculcate into our little one, all of the things that are a must, and those that are not. As I read articles on giving your child a head start by reading them from infancy it takes on a deeper meaning.
I want our family’s biggest reader to also be the littlest reader. In fact, I won’t wait to start until the day we bring our bundle home, I’ll start from the womb on! Reading to your baby is critical to setting your child on the path to strong reading skills, a better vocabulary and success in school—and life. As like all of the parent’s before me, and those who will come after me, I want to give our child the best life we possibly can. A precious, satisfying life, one that is equal parts of love, spirituality, and skills that will help them to make the best use of their life.
So for me as mommy to be its simple: Ready. Set. Read!
Listing reasons as to why we should do this #1: Exposure to Language #2: Closing the Word Gap (the list of reasons can go on forever!). Or discussing what makes a good reader? Then asking you as the reader to weigh in on this blog with your thoughts, or things that you appreciated doing, or wish you had done differently.
What is the point to this blog you ask? Well, not only will I be venturing into a new topic to blog about, but I will now also be able to weigh in with a different point of view; one as a parent. I always felt I had freedom of speech went it comes to things since I was helping raise my nephew during those crucial years. Well frankly, even if you don’t have children you can still offer practical wisdom and advice.
My role is now slightly reversed from that of an aunt, to that of an expectant mother. I still stand by everything I have ever said: The importance of reading to children from the very start, the impact music can have on their developing mind, and as an artist first and author second, the important role of art in their lives.
As I count down the days until I discover the gender of our little bowling ball (yes from me that is a term of endearment, besides I was called a baby moose by my mother LOL) I think about the things I want to inculcate into our little one, all of the things that are a must, and those that are not. As I read articles on giving your child a head start by reading them from infancy it takes on a deeper meaning.
I want our family’s biggest reader to also be the littlest reader. In fact, I won’t wait to start until the day we bring our bundle home, I’ll start from the womb on! Reading to your baby is critical to setting your child on the path to strong reading skills, a better vocabulary and success in school—and life. As like all of the parent’s before me, and those who will come after me, I want to give our child the best life we possibly can. A precious, satisfying life, one that is equal parts of love, spirituality, and skills that will help them to make the best use of their life.
So for me as mommy to be its simple: Ready. Set. Read!
Future Phobias
Can you believe that January is almost over! Where did the time go!? 2015 flew by in a flash, and now January 2016 is almost gone? Things are moving so fast, it’s hard to keep up with everything! I’m sure you’ll likely feel the same way as you’re embracing the new year, taking on the challenges of life, family, resolutions, etc.
Since early December I have been somewhat quiet on social media, you might be wondering why. Or perhaps you are thinking yes those weekly emails have stopped alerting me to a new blog! Either way, allow me to introduce you to the reason why as of late I have been almost nonexistent in the social realm.
Meet the newest member of our family, Levi!
He came a whole month early, which took us entirely by surprise! I have been settling into my new role as a mother, spending quality time bonding (you know during those 2am feelings, and again at 4am lol). Thus is the reason I have been almost MIA since December, a pretty good reason I would say.
As all of us know and will likely agree (and has recently been impressed upon me), life is full of unplanned surprises. By knowing and accepting this, we can start to overthink everything all could possibly come our way. Being that we are imperfect humans, this can be a real struggle for some. I know for myself, I like to have everything planned out to the T! Alas, that is not always possible (again see the above paragraph) and I have to roll with the punches of life.
That being said, I resolve to cast aside future phobias, and the unnecessary worry about what might be. I resolve to just roll with it. Okay yeah sure this time of year everyone makes their resolutions, and by March-ish I will guarantee that most will have given up on the resolutions, or simply forgotten them. I can speak from personal experience in this area. However, in addition to the other resolutions that I’ve already put down on paper, this is one that I am moving to the top of the list.
Being a new mother I can’t afford to fret over the things I can’t control. Am I going to screw him up? Am I going to be too strict, or too lenient as a parent? How will I know what to do, and when to do it? When you start to think about it the list is Endless! And really, in the end what is it going to accomplish? Nothing! There I said, and I will say it again. Big fat nothing! Zip, zero, nada!! Worrying about things beyond your control does not add anything to your life, in reality it only takes away.
So that’s it, I am choosing to cast future phobias aside. I will not allow them to have any hold on me. And this encompasses every aspect of my life beyond being a mother. What if I don’t get my next Lorenzo book finished before school is out in June? How will I manage everything and still have time for myself? What happens if I let my photography fall to the wayside and don’t book any clients this year?
Wouldn’t you agree with me when I say it always seems as if there is something new to worry about. It’s exhausting! But what if we choose to not do it anymore? What if we choose to just let it go? Whatever it is that is holding you back from peace? What if you just let it go and stop worrying about it?
A country song once said: Life’s a dance, you learn as you go. Sometimes you lead, sometimes you follow.Don’t worry ’bout what you don’t know, life’s a dance, you learn as you go.
And that is life! You can’t control everything, and you can’t plan for everything (again I refer you to the above paragraphs), sometimes you just have to dance and let things come as they may.
So as hard as it may be, let’s just stop. Let’s try really really hard not to lose sleep over the things we can’t control in her life. Let’s stop worrying about the things that might happen, and just focus on what is happening. Before we know it 2016 is going to be gone, and 2017 will be here. Lets enjoy 2016 and all that it holds, because I have a feeling it is going to be one for the books!
Cheers!
www.ablogforyourthoughts.com
www.lorenzothebear.com
Since early December I have been somewhat quiet on social media, you might be wondering why. Or perhaps you are thinking yes those weekly emails have stopped alerting me to a new blog! Either way, allow me to introduce you to the reason why as of late I have been almost nonexistent in the social realm.
Meet the newest member of our family, Levi!
He came a whole month early, which took us entirely by surprise! I have been settling into my new role as a mother, spending quality time bonding (you know during those 2am feelings, and again at 4am lol). Thus is the reason I have been almost MIA since December, a pretty good reason I would say.
As all of us know and will likely agree (and has recently been impressed upon me), life is full of unplanned surprises. By knowing and accepting this, we can start to overthink everything all could possibly come our way. Being that we are imperfect humans, this can be a real struggle for some. I know for myself, I like to have everything planned out to the T! Alas, that is not always possible (again see the above paragraph) and I have to roll with the punches of life.
That being said, I resolve to cast aside future phobias, and the unnecessary worry about what might be. I resolve to just roll with it. Okay yeah sure this time of year everyone makes their resolutions, and by March-ish I will guarantee that most will have given up on the resolutions, or simply forgotten them. I can speak from personal experience in this area. However, in addition to the other resolutions that I’ve already put down on paper, this is one that I am moving to the top of the list.
Being a new mother I can’t afford to fret over the things I can’t control. Am I going to screw him up? Am I going to be too strict, or too lenient as a parent? How will I know what to do, and when to do it? When you start to think about it the list is Endless! And really, in the end what is it going to accomplish? Nothing! There I said, and I will say it again. Big fat nothing! Zip, zero, nada!! Worrying about things beyond your control does not add anything to your life, in reality it only takes away.
So that’s it, I am choosing to cast future phobias aside. I will not allow them to have any hold on me. And this encompasses every aspect of my life beyond being a mother. What if I don’t get my next Lorenzo book finished before school is out in June? How will I manage everything and still have time for myself? What happens if I let my photography fall to the wayside and don’t book any clients this year?
Wouldn’t you agree with me when I say it always seems as if there is something new to worry about. It’s exhausting! But what if we choose to not do it anymore? What if we choose to just let it go? Whatever it is that is holding you back from peace? What if you just let it go and stop worrying about it?
A country song once said: Life’s a dance, you learn as you go. Sometimes you lead, sometimes you follow.Don’t worry ’bout what you don’t know, life’s a dance, you learn as you go.
And that is life! You can’t control everything, and you can’t plan for everything (again I refer you to the above paragraphs), sometimes you just have to dance and let things come as they may.
So as hard as it may be, let’s just stop. Let’s try really really hard not to lose sleep over the things we can’t control in her life. Let’s stop worrying about the things that might happen, and just focus on what is happening. Before we know it 2016 is going to be gone, and 2017 will be here. Lets enjoy 2016 and all that it holds, because I have a feeling it is going to be one for the books!
Cheers!
www.ablogforyourthoughts.com
www.lorenzothebear.com
Behind the scenes of an Author Visit
Well it’s that time of year again folks! School is coming to an end, or at some schools it has already ended. Summer is just around the corner and the adventures are soon to begin! This past school year has been a blur! It feels like just yesterday I was watching commercials for school supplies at the local Target. I’m sure all of you parent’s reading this are nodding your heads in agreement.
While this school year feels like it just started, it’s already coming to a close! For me, it was a very different type of school year. It wasn’t the normal collecting box tops for education to send to my niece and nephew, or even sending them notebooks and pencils. This year I was privileged to visit a variety of classrooms.
Each visit was a different experience, the grades ranged between first and third. There were English and bilingual students. I had a few combo classes, I was even working with a few special needs students. Each class came with its own challenges, some of which were the various sizes of the classes. Some school have the 20 -1- rule, and others did not. In the end, all of them were filled with a buzz of energy! I enjoyed every second I had with the students, and I cannot wait for the new school to begin so I can start them all over again!
Lately I have been getting several messages/e-mails that look something like this.
“I just got invited for my very first author visit, and I wanted to see if you had any advice since you have done these types of visits before. I will be reading to (insert grade level), what advice do you have regarding handouts, activities, selling books, etc.?”
I thought this would be a fantastic blog opportunity, to break down what goes into a classroom visits. Everything I discuss will be in reference to my series The Adventures of Lorenzo the Bear.
However, the same idea can be used with any book. I will be applying these same techniques when my new series Little Katie comes out June 3rd. That’s right everyone, The Adventures of Lorenzo the Bear will not be my only series! I’m so excited so share Little Katie with everyone! She has been over a year in the making. Eek! So excited!! Okay, back on topic now.
The grade levels that I tend to stick with are between 1-3, this is my target audience, but I do not limit myself to these grades. I have recently been asked to start visiting both fourth and fifth grade as well, so we’ll have to get more creative there. Before each visit there are several, and I mean several phone/e-mail/text and sometimes in person conversations between the teacher(s) and myself. Any parent knows that each of their children are unique, needing things tailored just for them. Same goes for each classroom I visit.
The needs of each school, classroom, teacher, and student’s vary. That is why I spend so much time communicating with the teacher(s) to address the needs of their student’s. I often ask what they are focusing in school? Do they want an activity that will focus on writing, or art? With their feedback, I work with them to create a custom classroom visit. I usually e-mail a few activities for them to choose from, and then we go from there.
There is a basic structure to the visits; I come introduce myself, read my story, Q&A, activities, handouts, and say goodbye. But each visit varies based on the needs of the class. Sadly, some schools I visit had their funding for Arts cut. Since I am also an illustrator, I inform the teacher(s) that I can offer art as an activity to focus on. Sometimes I’ll show a video to the class showing them how Lorenzo the Bear comes together, then I help the students to draw Lorenzo themselves. The steps they learn when drawing Lorenzo the Bear, can be then applied classroom draw any animal they desire.
Other classrooms are wanting to focus on writing, especially plot and character development. Or, writing a story with your audience in mind. In this instance I offer an activity that focuses on writing, usually a story prompt.
For the really little ones simplicity is key! I like to keep it as short and as simple as I can! I aim to keep in them engaged as much as possible. This is where we will usually play a game together, make bear hats, or color.
Sometimes teachers who just want their student’s to have fun! When this is the case we play something like MadLibs, or Word search. Regardless of the activity that is chosen, each one is custom made by myself, and ties in with the book I read to the class. There is always a theme I stick with, and that is my books. Oh and most importantly, I make it a point to personally work with each and every student in the class.
Despite what some of the kids may say, they all LOVE to color! So I am sure to always bring along coloring pages for them. These are kept as a backup to use, if we fly through the planned activity. Otherwise they get these at the end of the visit to use later in class, or to take home.
I really appreciate the enthusiasm of the teachers. They often ask: “How long can we keep you!?” I explain that it depends on how many classrooms I will be visiting that day. Overall my visits are usually 60 min. especially if I have back to back classrooms. Sometimes my visits are a little shorter for first and kindergartner’s, it just depends.
Here is the big question everyone wants to know “If you sell your books, how do you go about it?” I have to give all of the credit to my publishing house here. My editor sent me a flyer they give to all of their children’s authors to help them sell their books in schools. It’s known as a give back program. The students are sent home with a flyer allowing them to purchase the book from me directly at a discount, then a portion from each sale goes back to the school library. This is approved by the principal, and then sent home with the students. This has been very effective in selling books.
In addition to sending home book order flyers, each student receives a parting gift to commemorate our visit. Usually it’s a book marker, but sometimes it’s a printable activity like a bear and or pirate hat. The student’s seem to get most excited over the donation of a book to each classroom I visit, so they will always have it to read over and over again.
So there you have it! A breakdown of an author visit with me, Carmela Dutra. I hope this helps any of you who might be starting off with author visits. Best of luck. You will rock your author visit! Are you an author who has visited a classroom before? Please leave a comment sharing your experiences!
Are you a teacher or Librarian? Would you like to schedule your own author visit? Please, visit the link below to set one up. Do live out of state? Or perhaps out of the country? That’s OK we can schedule a Skype visit too!
Besides being a fun break from the classroom routine, an author or illustrator visit introduces students to the processes of writing, developing characters, and expressing one’s creativity. It gets readers excited about books, and it provides an opportunity to encourage young writers. All of my visits are free, as I believe strongly in giving back to schools. So schedule one for you today!
CarmelaDutra.com
While this school year feels like it just started, it’s already coming to a close! For me, it was a very different type of school year. It wasn’t the normal collecting box tops for education to send to my niece and nephew, or even sending them notebooks and pencils. This year I was privileged to visit a variety of classrooms.
Each visit was a different experience, the grades ranged between first and third. There were English and bilingual students. I had a few combo classes, I was even working with a few special needs students. Each class came with its own challenges, some of which were the various sizes of the classes. Some school have the 20 -1- rule, and others did not. In the end, all of them were filled with a buzz of energy! I enjoyed every second I had with the students, and I cannot wait for the new school to begin so I can start them all over again!
Lately I have been getting several messages/e-mails that look something like this.
“I just got invited for my very first author visit, and I wanted to see if you had any advice since you have done these types of visits before. I will be reading to (insert grade level), what advice do you have regarding handouts, activities, selling books, etc.?”
I thought this would be a fantastic blog opportunity, to break down what goes into a classroom visits. Everything I discuss will be in reference to my series The Adventures of Lorenzo the Bear.
However, the same idea can be used with any book. I will be applying these same techniques when my new series Little Katie comes out June 3rd. That’s right everyone, The Adventures of Lorenzo the Bear will not be my only series! I’m so excited so share Little Katie with everyone! She has been over a year in the making. Eek! So excited!! Okay, back on topic now.The grade levels that I tend to stick with are between 1-3, this is my target audience, but I do not limit myself to these grades. I have recently been asked to start visiting both fourth and fifth grade as well, so we’ll have to get more creative there. Before each visit there are several, and I mean several phone/e-mail/text and sometimes in person conversations between the teacher(s) and myself. Any parent knows that each of their children are unique, needing things tailored just for them. Same goes for each classroom I visit.
The needs of each school, classroom, teacher, and student’s vary. That is why I spend so much time communicating with the teacher(s) to address the needs of their student’s. I often ask what they are focusing in school? Do they want an activity that will focus on writing, or art? With their feedback, I work with them to create a custom classroom visit. I usually e-mail a few activities for them to choose from, and then we go from there.
There is a basic structure to the visits; I come introduce myself, read my story, Q&A, activities, handouts, and say goodbye. But each visit varies based on the needs of the class. Sadly, some schools I visit had their funding for Arts cut. Since I am also an illustrator, I inform the teacher(s) that I can offer art as an activity to focus on. Sometimes I’ll show a video to the class showing them how Lorenzo the Bear comes together, then I help the students to draw Lorenzo themselves. The steps they learn when drawing Lorenzo the Bear, can be then applied classroom draw any animal they desire.
Other classrooms are wanting to focus on writing, especially plot and character development. Or, writing a story with your audience in mind. In this instance I offer an activity that focuses on writing, usually a story prompt.
For the really little ones simplicity is key! I like to keep it as short and as simple as I can! I aim to keep in them engaged as much as possible. This is where we will usually play a game together, make bear hats, or color.
Sometimes teachers who just want their student’s to have fun! When this is the case we play something like MadLibs, or Word search. Regardless of the activity that is chosen, each one is custom made by myself, and ties in with the book I read to the class. There is always a theme I stick with, and that is my books. Oh and most importantly, I make it a point to personally work with each and every student in the class.
Despite what some of the kids may say, they all LOVE to color! So I am sure to always bring along coloring pages for them. These are kept as a backup to use, if we fly through the planned activity. Otherwise they get these at the end of the visit to use later in class, or to take home.
I really appreciate the enthusiasm of the teachers. They often ask: “How long can we keep you!?” I explain that it depends on how many classrooms I will be visiting that day. Overall my visits are usually 60 min. especially if I have back to back classrooms. Sometimes my visits are a little shorter for first and kindergartner’s, it just depends.
Here is the big question everyone wants to know “If you sell your books, how do you go about it?” I have to give all of the credit to my publishing house here. My editor sent me a flyer they give to all of their children’s authors to help them sell their books in schools. It’s known as a give back program. The students are sent home with a flyer allowing them to purchase the book from me directly at a discount, then a portion from each sale goes back to the school library. This is approved by the principal, and then sent home with the students. This has been very effective in selling books.
In addition to sending home book order flyers, each student receives a parting gift to commemorate our visit. Usually it’s a book marker, but sometimes it’s a printable activity like a bear and or pirate hat. The student’s seem to get most excited over the donation of a book to each classroom I visit, so they will always have it to read over and over again.
So there you have it! A breakdown of an author visit with me, Carmela Dutra. I hope this helps any of you who might be starting off with author visits. Best of luck. You will rock your author visit! Are you an author who has visited a classroom before? Please leave a comment sharing your experiences!
Are you a teacher or Librarian? Would you like to schedule your own author visit? Please, visit the link below to set one up. Do live out of state? Or perhaps out of the country? That’s OK we can schedule a Skype visit too!
Besides being a fun break from the classroom routine, an author or illustrator visit introduces students to the processes of writing, developing characters, and expressing one’s creativity. It gets readers excited about books, and it provides an opportunity to encourage young writers. All of my visits are free, as I believe strongly in giving back to schools. So schedule one for you today!
CarmelaDutra.com
