I love sharing books and my excitement for writing with students. Email me and together we can plan a visit tailored to your needs.
My presentations include a slideshow sharing my inspiration for becoming an author, a read aloud, time for Q & A.
Science Workshops with hands-on activities connected to ALIANA REACHES FOR THE MOON or AN ACCIDENTAL HERO: A MOSTLY TRUE WOMBAT STORY
Writing Workshop for students grades 3 and up: Students will learn to create the elements of a funny story and leave with a graphic organizer of pre-writing to use in the classroom for future lessons.
Main Takeaways from each book:
AN ACCIDENTAL HERO: A MOSTLY TRUE WOMBAT STORY
Written as a newscast, An Accidental Hero: A Mostly True Wombat Story offers educational opportunities for a wide range of students in cross curricular ways to develop higher order thinking skills:
- Australian Animals (Science and Social Studies)
- Forest Fires, Fires Safety, Climate Change (Science and Social Justice)
- Essential Question: What would you do? seeing others needing help (SEL and Writing)
ALIANA REACHES FOR THE MOON
When Aliana notices the light from the full moon, using objects she finds around the house, she experiments with light and reflection while waiting for the moon to be full again. The story offers educational opportunities to a wide range of students in cross curricular areas:
- Phases of the moon (Science)
- Experimenting with light and reflection, prisms, (Science and art)
- Essential Question: During the book Aliana, her brother Gus, and her parents all need to be patient at different times. Why is waiting so hard and what makes waiting for something you want, worthwhile? this is a skill we are all always working on and it’s a good discussion for adults and children to have together that adults also have to wait (SEL and Writing)
I am a reading specialist and former elementary teacher so school visits are my favorite way to share my book, my love of literacy, and writing.
Past presentations range from single classrooms to whole school events with over 400 children in one room plus all of the teachers and a microphone for me.
I’ve presented at family events on weekends and evenings, individual or multiple classes kindergarten – fourth grade both in person and virtually. All of these have been rewarding for the audience based on feedback from children and administrators.
I offer writing workshops for grades 3-8. If your younger classes want to partner with a buddy class in upper grades, for a long-term project, I’m happy to get them started in person or virtually and have a virtual follow-up celebration session. Contact me for more information.
Testimonials from principals, librarians, and teachers
Laura’s presentation inspired my students to embrace curiosity, get messy, and be creative! We loved hearing Laura read her book Aliana Reaches for the Moon, learning more about the story, and about Laura’s inspiration for writing.
Jolene Gutiérrez, MLS
Teacher Librarian Denver Academy
Denver Academy
“My 2nd graders love science and they love asking questions so this was the perfect author’s visit! After a read aloud of Aliana Reaches for the Moon they had the chance to ask Ms. Roettiger more questions about becoming an author and about the phases of the moon & the night sky. Two of my students even dressed up as Aliana for our school’s Parade of Books!”
— Ms. Strelsin, Chicago Public School Teacher
My Junior Kindergarten class loved hearing the story of Aliana Reaches for the Moon. It has created interest in learning more about the moon and science in my classroom! ~ Ms. Dillon, Teacher
The Academy at St. Joan of Arc, Evanston IL
Thank you so much for your visit today. The kids were really excited. I think we have some students who are definitely future authors, and you are an inspiration to them.
David Romanyshyn
Principal
Miles Township Elementary
Centre Hall Elementary
Presentations are 30-45 minutes long, dependent upon grade level of the students. Each presentation is $250.00 with a maximum of 5 sessions per day. Need help securing funding – please don’t let that be an obstacle to an author visit. Email me and we can come up with a plan.
I have worked with a variety of children as a teacher and schools providing STEAM and writing content. Please let me know how we can make this work for your needs.
Grades 3 and up: begins as listed above, but also focuses on science aligned with common core standards as related to the book being presented: phases of the moon, experiments with light and reflection, OR how climate change has created increased intensity of natural disasters from fires to floods which will impact everyone and what we can do to make a difference.
Writing workshop presentation: aligned with common core standards, a modeled writing activity where students have a solid pre-writing graphic organizer for a funny story that can be continued during classroom writing time. Or a writing demonstration focused on revision with real examples of the many drafts books go through and how work with an editor takes a draft to a book.
The slideshow presentation goes quicker as the students get older so even with the science or writing add-on it takes 45 minutes but of course this depends on the size of the group and writing always takes longer.
Laura Roettiger Books 