Steve Swinburne
Children’s Book Author and School Visits
School visits
Steve's nature and writing programs for schools
"Education, engagement, enthusiasm, energy, and excitement for EVERYONE! This is what you can expect when you invite Steve Swinburne to your school for either an author’s presentation, a writer’s workshop or best of all, BOTH."
Bev Bjorklund
Library Media Specialist
Head O’Meadow Elementary School
Newtown, CT
NEW FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR 2012 - 2013
I am LOWERING my honorarium for the upcoming school year. The new fees run from June 2012 through May 2013.
Full day school visit: $1200 (3 presentations) plus expenses (transportation and lodging)
Convention / workshop speaker: $1200/day plus expenses (transportation and lodging)
School visits in Vermont: $800 (3 presentations) plus a pint of maple syrup or pint of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream
Note: All fees are negotiable, depending on location and other circumstances. Please feel free to inquire. We are happy to work within your budget.
TO ARRANGE A SCHOOL VISIT, PLEASE CONTACT:
HEATHER SWINBURNE
Email: swinburne.live@gmail.com
Cell phone: 802 379 0535
or Write:
Heather Swinburne
P.O. Box 2005
South Londonderry, Vermont 05155
During a full day school visit, I make three 45-60 minute presentations at one school. Here is a sample full day schedule:
- 8:30 AM arrive and set up
- 9:00 - 9:45 1st presentation (K-1)
- 10:00 - 11 2nd presentation (2-3)
- 11:00 - 1:30 lunch/sign books
- 1:30 - 2:30 3rd presentation (4-5)
- 2:30 - ? finish signing books
I tailor each session to fit the age level attending, therefore it is important to keep the groups at the same approximate age level. I have spoken to students from preK to 12th grade. IDEAL group size ranges from 50 - 150 students ( but I will speak to larger groups).
NOTE: Teacher and aide attendance is a must! It insures appropriate behavior and enables effective follow-up discussions and activities with the students.
In each session I plan to:
-focus on the importance of research, journal keeping, writing first drafts, writing second drafts, and the passion of storytelling
-take students on an adventure with manatees, wolves, black bears, sea turtles through a lively power point presentation
- inspire young authors to strengthen their own writing by highlighting the use of strong verbs, interesting details and crafting a good lead
- talk about the creative process and where ideas come from
- have plenty of laughs!
- answer questions from students and teachers
- lead sing-a-long with my ukulele (if time permits)
Supplies Needed:
- *AV cart with 3 plug-ins and extension cord
- *computer speakers
- *large screen
- *2 display tables upfront or a stage
- *wireless microphone with stand
- *water to drink
- *a copy of each book to display
The success of the visit hinges on how well the students are prepared. Familiarity with the books generates excitement and invites student participation during a presentation. Involve the teachers by encouraging them to use the books in the classroom.
Most schools order books so that students can buy them and have them autographed during the visit. We are happy to supply you with books. Please email Heather Swinburne for the most up-to-date availability of titles. You can reach Heather at: swinburne.live@gmail.com
I will be happy to sign any books during break times. Please have a slip of paper or post-it note in each book with the first name to be inscribed printed legibly. Unfortunately, I cannot autograph slips of paper, t-shirts or hands.
Download a pdf of Author visit handout
Download a pdf of Author visit timetable
FUNDING
If you do not have the funds for an author visit and you have already checked your school’s library budget, consider asking the PTA or PTO to support the event or inquire if there are District Title I monies that can be used for a literacy program that meets curriculum standards. You can also apply for a grant. Possible sources include your State Humanities Council or State Council on the Arts, your State Reading Association or local Reading Council, local service organizations (Kiwanis, Lions, Rotary Clubs) The National Endowment for the Arts, and or a local business.
VIRTUAL SCHOOL VISITS
Visit with Steve for one hour ($400.00) via computer using a webcam and Skype software for live video/audio feed. Session includes a chat topic of your choice and Q’s and A’s.
"Steve Swinburne's visit was the best author visit Stevens School has had, in large part because he displayed an unusual sensitivity to children's ages and development levels which made his connection to the audience exceptional."
Jane B. Harvey
Library Media Specialist
Stevens Elementary School, Wallingford, Connecticut
Texas loves Steve!
Check out this wonderful recommendation from a Texas teacher:
Dear Librarians,
It is with genuine pleasure that I recommend author, Stephen Swinburne, for school programs for elementary school students and staff! His From Blank Page to Book program is customized to meet the developmental needs of elementary students. His presentation targets an integrated curriculum. These are examples:
· Writing – use of strong introductory paragraphs with examples of ways to create them.
· Writing – use of strong verbs to enhance meaning.
· Science – conservation and life cycles of wild animals.
· Music – rhythms of animal life and sounds.
· Graphic Organizers – an example is the “cats” chart in his Bobcat…book
At our February presentation, the students and staff were equally attentive with the animal life exploration, the writing information, and the crowd management skills that Steve built into the program. There were numerous positive comments from students and staff following the presentation. To all teaching librarians I give this advice, “Make it a priority one budget item to include Steve’s presentation as part of your quality library programming for next year”.
Should funding be a concern, due to the writing elements that he includes in his program, local, state, or federal funding such as Title V could be proposed, approved and allocated to pay for some or all of his presentation and expenses. You would be totally justified in making such a proposal due to the content of the program.
Sincerely,
Aileen Kirkham,
Librarian & Author of the Collaborative Bridges Series, Grades 3-5
Steve's schedule
Dec. 12 School visit, Colchester, Vermont
Oct. 15 - 19 School visit, Cypress-Fairbanks school district, Houston, Texas
Oct. 28 Keystone State Reading Association, Silver Springs, Pennsylvania
Nov. 16 National Council of Teachers of English, Las Vegas, Nevada
Nov. 27 - 29 School visit, Lampeter, Pennsylvania
Jan. 28 - 30 School visit, Houston, Texas
Feb. 13 - 15 School visit, Singapore
March 4 - 7 School visit, Orchard Park, New York
March 9 - 10 Tucson Festival of Books, Tucson, Arizona
March 13 - 15 School visit, Lampeter, Pennsylvania
March 26 - 27 School visit, Kenmore, New York
April 3 - 4 School visit, West Allegheny, Pennsylvania
April 9 - 12 Writing residency, Maloney Magnet School, Waterbury, Connecticut
April 19 25 International Reading Association conference, San Antonio, Texas
May 3 School visit, Sedalia, Missouri
May 4 Young Author’s Conference, Nevada, Missouri
May 13 - 14 School visit, Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania
May 20 School visit, Amherst, New Hampshire
TO ARRANGE A SCHOOL VISIT, PLEASE CONTACT:
HEATHER SWINBURNE
Email: swinburne.live@gmail.com
Cell phone: 802 379 0535
or Write:
Heather Swinburne
P.O. Box 2005
South Londonderry, Vermont 05155