Visits

References

I heartily recommend Lola Schaefer as a visiting author. She gave four different presentations, each geared to the age of the students. She was able to combine her background as a researcher, storyteller, writer, and teacher to offer programs that were instructive as well as spellbinding. The students loved her. Our teachers were so impressed that they are requesting a three-day writing workshop with Lola later in the year.

Ann Glass Darlington’s Lower School Librarian Rome, Georgia
As a Title I Literacy Coach, it is part of my job to assess academic needs of our students. We had concentrated several years on improving the teaching of reading; now it was time to address writing. After hearing Lola Schaefer at a county meeting, I knew she was the writing professional for our staff. Lola worked closely with all grade level and special area teachers last year demonstrating the art of teaching writing. Teachers were very receptive and excited about Lola's guidance. This year, Lola is returning to work more in depth with a team of teachers who will then redeliver lessons to their teams.

Barb Denbow, Ed.S, NBCT
Cumming Elementary
Forsyth County, GA
"Lola Schaefer is a dynamic speaker and educator. In Orange County, FL she addressed the Reading Coaches and was captivating, and informative. Lola speaks to educators and offers usable information and strategies that are easily transferred to classroom practices."

Carmella DiMatteo
Scholastic Classroom Books and Library
cdimatteo@scholastic.com

I love visiting schools. Working with students is always inspirational. I return home motivated to write more and better because I see the impact of my books. Besides, children are at the center of everything I do professionally.

Working with teachers renews my faith in the educational system. They are constantly reaching out for stronger strategies to teach writing. They know that students have much to say, but they want more tools to help them say it.

If you are interested in scheduling any of these visits, please contact Lola.

Author Visits

I speak with students, writer–to-writer, celebrating authorship of their very own books. During these full day visits, I am more than happy to work with children of all grades, K-8.

During an author visit I offer 3-4 one hour programs to students, sign books and lunch with 8-10 students who have a special interest in writing.

Author in Residence

I work with smaller groups of children, discussing ideas, sharing strategies, writing side-by-side, demonstrating revision. Author-in-residence visits are typically 2-5 days.

Writing Instruction

Often I am asked to come to schools and offer classroom demonstration writing lessons. During these 2-4 day sessions, I model thinking and writing in front of the students and they all create an original piece of writing at their desks. We work through idea, focus, pre-writing, draft, and sometimes revision. I embed several mini-lessons in my modeling. We stop and celebrate one another’s successes during the process. After the demonstration lesson, I meet with the teachers to discuss their observations and next steps.

Professional Development

Writing instruction centers around two tools – genre and craft (the traits of writing). Teachers are anxious to add more successful strategies to teach these tools. I offer full day, or multiple days, workshops on genre, craft, or the scope and sequence of effective writing instruction.

Here are program titles and abstracts for your consideration. If none of these meet your needs, I will be more than happy to customize a presentation for your staff.

Craft Mini-Lessons: Short, Focused, Powerful
Mini-lessons are one of the ways in which we teach writing. They are seeds – small examples – of how to use word choice, focus, elaboration, organization or voice to create stronger meaning. Learn how to offer highly focused literature-based, demonstration or interactive mini-lessons so your students understand and enjoy the craft of writing.

Narrative Nonfiction: How Students Can Write Informational Pieces that Capture Their Interest and an Audience’s Heart
Learn how to excite students about writing what they know in science, social studies or math. Say goodbye to boring reports that encourage plagiarism and formulaic writing. Examine narrative formats that combine accurate information with narrative features. Specific formats will be shown with pre-writing organizational tools that bring about student success.

Writing Instruction that Works: Teaching Writing through Modeling and Celebration
What does writing time look like in a typical elementary or middle school classroom? Learn the necessary components from mini-lessons through conferencing that encourage students to take risks, assume responsibility and enjoy revision and editing.

Author/Consultant Video Conferencing

If your school would like a 30, 60 or 90-minute electronic visit, I am now able to offer that to you, as well. Sometimes one classroom would like to have an author chat about revision, word choice, show, don’t tell or editing. Perhaps two classrooms would like to come together to discuss a particular genre like historical fiction or narrative nonfiction. A group of teachers might want to review craft mini-lessons or share student work and brainstorm next steps. The possibilities are endless.

Now, with video-conferencing, we can design student or teacher mini-programs where we speak and listen to one another without the expense and time of travel. By using long-distance interactive programming, we can share writing samples, mentoring texts, whole or small group strategies or pre-writing for the different genres. All your school needs is IP-based video conferencing equipment. I will be using the same equipment at North Georgia College and State University in Dahlonega, GA which is a short drive from my home. I am now booking electronic visits for Fall, 2009. Available days for this service are TH and Friday. Contact Lola to discuss availability and honorarium.

Conferences and Literary Events

I am a frequent presenter at conferences and literary events. I am happy to offer a keynote, as well as two one hour workshops and a signing.

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