Appearances
SCHOOL PRESENTATIONS
READING, WRITING AND THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX –
Using Children's Science Books to Enhance Language Arts Teacher Workshop
1-hour presentation includes 15 minutes for questions
I discuss the use of children's science books as a way of enriching students' reading, writing, vocabulary, spelling, and thinking skills by engaging curiosity and nourishing habits of questioning, discriminating between fact and fantasy, and drawing conclusions from evidence.
WHAT IF? HOW TO GO FROM A QUESTION TO A POEM, A STORY, A BOOK, A FILM - Teacher Workshop
Questions drive creativity in science and the arts. By following up students' questions and stimulating more questioning, you engage and challenge students' reading, writing, and thinking skills. (Presented at the Virginia Reading Association Conference 2007.)
WHERE DO IDEAS COME FROM? – Grades 2-5
Introduces children to the concept that books evolve from a writer's ideas. With an original poem written in the style of Dr. Seuss, I challenge children to think about where ideas come from. Using my newest books, I talk about the ideas that sparked these books, how I got those ideas, and why I found them fascinating. A PowerPoint presentation provides illustrations. Children are encouraged to ask questions and contribute their own ideas.
RESEARCH: HOW TO WRITE A BOOK - Grades 6-12
I discuss the different kinds of research (library, film, internet, field visits, and interviews with experts) that I use to write my books. A PowerPoint presentation provides illustrations. Students have an opportunity to ask questions.
SEXUAL STRATEGIES: HOW FEMALES CHOOSE THEIR MATES - Adult
1-hour presentation includes 15 minutes for questions
This presentation provides background in evolutionary biology needed to understand the principles of female mate choice, what females want and why, how female and male reproductive strategies differ and how they influence marriage customs, politics, religion, economics, and education. I have given this presentation at the Smithsonian, UCLA, and many other academic and bookstore venues. This presentation is based on my adult book: Sexual Strategies: How Females Choose Their Mates.
WRITING NONFICTION; PROBLEMS OF TELLING THE TRUTH
Writers Conference and high school presentation
45-minute presentation includes 15 minutes for questions
Writing nonfiction demands accuracy and honesty, yet telling the truth is more difficult than writing fiction because many times people either do not want to hear the truth or they deny it. I discuss the problems of distinguishing fact from fiction, plagiarism, techniques for verifying information,and how to question what one reads in newspapers and magazines or hears on television. An advanced workshop on this topic is available for teachers.
RESEARCHING AND WRITING NONFICTION FOR CHILDREN
Writers’ workshop presentation – 45 minutes includes 15 minutes for questions.
Fees are negotiable. Travel expenses are extra.
I have given presentations at large conferences and small groups of students. Venues include:
The Smithsonian Institution
UCLA Center for the Study of Evolution and the Origin of Life (CSEOL)
Science Teachers of Missouri
Virginia State Reading Association
Norfolk Collegiate
Mack Benn, Jr. Elementary School
Poquoson Elementary School
Yates Elementary School