I LOVE doing school visits (virtual or in person) and talking to kids about reading and writing. My presentations are not the kind you've heard a hundred times, about being an author. I have worked hard to make my presentations educational AND entertaining, and I give them real tips they can go back and use in the classroom to help them with their writing.
My young adult novels are appropriate for middle school students and have made some state reading lists, including Texas, Missouri, Wyoming, South Carolina, Iowa, and more. THE DAY BEFORE and THE BRIDGE FROM ME TO YOU were Oregon Book Award finalists.
I also do school visits at the elementary school level (see pictures and descriptions of my presentations below):
~*~
Me w/ 4 students from Oregon Trail Elementary School
At the elementary school age, for K-2nd graders, I take the kids on an imagination safari, where we visit the jungle and meet friends from my picture book LITTLE CHIMP'S BIG DAY but also discover writing tips and secrets hidden deep in the jungle!
For grades 3-5, we'll visit Paris, London and New York City, and I'll talk about research for my middle grade novels and how setting is important in our writing. We'll do some fun reader theater and learn what it means to "show, not tell," and what revision REALLY means.
At the middle school and high school age, we have a couple of different options. With one presentation, I can inspire kids to believe that anything is possible. Using my very bumpy road to publication as an example, I share my "secrets to success," as well as talk about how reading and writing play a key no matter what path in life you choose.
Another possibility is for me to share my love of poetry, and share poems with them that get them excited about discovering the beauty of the correct word choice when doing any kind of writing. Maybe we even have time to do some poetry workshops, which is always fun.
Please note I'd love to work with you to tailor a presentation to meet your needs, just let me know what you have in mind. If my rates are more than you can afford, I encourage you to contact me anyway, and let me know what you're up against, and we'll see if we can work something out.
"Lisa does a great job bringing her excitement and love of writing to students. We had her speak at a writing workshop for eighth graders and she was well received by the students. Her message was how events and places can inspire the ideas locked in your head. Students felt her enthusiasm and love for writing. Lisa is a motivational speaker who relates well to the young writer." ~ Kurt Krohn, 8th grade teacher, Portland, Oregon
“Professional, approachable, and engaging! Our students were mesmerized by Lisa. They were able to walk away from her workshop with something they can immediately apply to their own writing.” ~ Michelle Lane, Library Media Specialist, Enterprise Middle School, Washington
"My students came back to the classroom ready to go on their own safaris with writing after hearing Lisa talk. They were inspired to become the best author that they could be after meeting a "real" author. So often we read books to children and talk about the author, but rarely do we get to meet one. This was one of the best assemblies that my first graders have ever been to!" ~Linda Watzig, First grade teacher, Oregon Trail Elementary School
If you'd prefer to do a lower cost visit via Skype, please visit my Skype an Author Network page for more information.
Here is what one teacher from a middle school in New Jersey had to say, after an in-depth Skype session: "You Skyped with my classes last year, and I can't tell you how much you inspired them. They still talk about it, and a handful of really passionate students attempted their own verse novels at the end of the school year."
After Skyping with 5th graders in St. Louis about revision, the Instructional Coach e-mailed me and said: "It was a great learning experience and reinforced what they are working on with writing in their classrooms. The teachers were thrilled with the engagement kids had to go back and revise their stories after the session. Thank you for inspiring them!"
Honorarium/Planning:
For an in-person visit, I am happy to do up to THREE presentations during the day. I can also have lunch with up to 20 motivated students at no extra charge. For more of a workshop/smaller group setting, please e-mail me to discuss rates.
2021 Rates are:
Portland Metro Area: $900/day
Other Oregon/SW Washington: $1,200/day plus travel and hotel as necessary
Out of state: $2,000/day plus travel and hotel as necessary
***
I am available for Skype visits with students in book clubs, classrooms, or library events. I do a few select visits (15-20 minutes) every school year for free, and am available for 50 minute sessions for $175.00. Click HERE for all of the details.
I love to do school visits, book signings and speaking events across the country. Please contact me at lisaschroederbooks(at)gmail.com to check availability and let me know what you have in mind.