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Virtual Author Visits in Your Library or Classroom
The mission of the Skype an Author Network is to provide K-12 teachers and librarians with a way to connect authors, books, and young readers through virtual visits. Wouldn't it be great to invite authors into your classroom or library to video chat with students before, during, and/or after reading their books? We are growing a list of authors who want to make that connection with you via Skype. Visit our Skype Overview page to learn more about Skype.
It all started when author Mona Kerby visited Grandview Library in 2008 to talk to our 2nd graders about her book Owney, The Mail Pouch Pooch. In 2009, Ms. Kerby visited our new class of 2nd graders via Skype. The children and their teachers cheered when Ms. Kerby "appeared" on our Smart Board. Ms. Kerby talked about Owney and the process she went through to research, write, and publish the book. Several of the children asked Ms. Kerby questions and the whole group enjoyed waving at and thanking Ms. Kerby for "visiting". Our goal is to set up a network of authors who are willing to participate in Skype conversations with students in classrooms and libraries. This wiki provides a page for each author who joins the network. Our author template ensures consistency of content and keeps things simple for authors, teachers, and librarians. The author pages provide procedural and contact information. Take a look at Mona Kerby's page as an example. Arrangements for Skype visits are initiated via email and/or phone between the author and the teacher and/or librarian. Authors offer two types of visits:
Once you are comfortable with "Skyping" you can try additional web-based technologies to enhance your visits, for example:
The possibilities for collaboration are many. If you have used other tools during your sessions, please start a "Discussion" to share with all of our members. | Illustrators & Author Illustrators Click to Visit Jewish Books Page Click to Visit Education Week Web Conferencing... Writer on the Side Interview Skype An Author Columbia News Service   Author/Illustrator Mike Artell Shares a Skype Visit |
7/9/2010 - I just spent a few short minutes with author/illustrator Bruce Hale on SKYPE - Bruce chatting with my 5th grade reading students. We had just completed Chet Gecko THIS GUM FOR HIRE and OMGosh. Hale was BRILLIANT! The atmosphere he created in that room of 9 and 10 years olds was that of a rock concert. The excitement and energy were palpable. After talking with Bruce, those students walked out of my classroom nothing short of giddy. (Their teacher was a little giddy too.) We'd do it again in a heartbeat.
5/27/10 - What a glorious three days I had at Demmitt Elementary in Vandalia, Ohio. The main reason this visit was a success was librarian Beth Green and a team of talented educators who organized a welcome assembly, Family Night, presentations, and two days of writing "funshops". Another thing Beth planned was skyping with each class prior to my in-person visit. This allowed the students and I the opportunity to get to know each other; I also gave suggestions to each class for writing projects. With the second graders, for example, I explained how to use my book ROAR OF A SNORE as a model for their ROAR OF A SNORE II, using the same plot, but a new character and setting. When I arrived at Demmitt, the halls were filled with the various classes' projects. Skyping as a supplement to in-person visits wasn't something I anticipated when I joined Skype an Author, but it works beautifully. I plan to include skyping as a preliminary to my in-person school visits in the future.
5/21/10 - As you are the facilitator of the Skype an Author website, I would like to let you know about a recent event. A 4th grade class I am working with Skyped with Suzanne Slade on Friday morning (May 21). This was a wonderful experience. Suzanne did an excellent job of discussing being an author at the students' level. She was very engaging and motivating. She gave detailed answers to the students' questions. A large part of the reason her presentation and the question and answer session was so well received by the students was because of how personable she was. Suzanne treated the entire class like they were old friends sitting down to have a conversation about being an author. After the event, one boy said, "I can't believe I just talked to a real live author. I still have chills." Thank you, Jamey Stanosz Library Media Specialist Portage Community School District
05/20/2010 - I recently chatted to Franklin Middle School and attach a picture from the Home News Tribune, the caption of which gives the full details. We spoke for about 40mins mostly in the form of question and answer. Ms. Tara-Lynn Walter has been using Epic in her classroom and has teachers' notes for the book which she is willing to share. To contact her, please go through me. Thanks for the good work you are doing, Warm regards, Conor.
sachauncey |
Latest page update: made by sachauncey
, Jul 9 2010, 11:26 PM EDT
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