Grades 2-12: Author Visit with Patricia McKissack: Creative Writing - Science Fiction

Content Provider		Cooperating School Districts New Links to New Learning
Contact Information		Rebecca Morrison rmorrison@csd.org Cooperating School Districts 1460 Craig Road St. Louis, MO 63146 United States Phone: (314) 692-1274 Fax: (314) 872-9128
Program Type		Program Series This is a three part series. You must register for all three videoconferences. A former teacher, Pat works with elementary through high school students.
Program Rating		This program has not yet been evaluated.
Target Audience		Education: Grade(s): 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Maximum Number of Participants		30
Minimum Number of Participants		10
Primary Disciplines		Language Arts/English, Writing, Science Fiction
Secondary Disciplines		Communications
Program Description		St. Louis author, Patricia McKissack, teaches students how to write. During hands-on and highly interactive sessions, students discuss plot, themes, character development and more. In a series of three videoconferences, Ms.McKissack customizes for any grade level and any part of the writing process. In the first videoconference, the author meets with the teachers to discuss the goals of the author visit and what books they would like her to present. In the second, the author dialogs with students, and in the third videoconference she gives feedback to students about the writing and illustrations the students have done.
Program Format		In the first videoconference with students, Ms. McKissack introduces herself and gives a brief biographical background including how she came to be a writer. Then, she goes into a lesson, which could focus on brainstorming, revision, rhyme patterns, or any other area that the teachers have agreed upon. Time is left for questions and answers from the students. The author then makes a writing assignment to the students. When they get back together in the last videoconference, she gives them feedback about their writing.
Objectives		The goal of the project is to introduce students to the process that authors use to write and illustrate a book and to engage them in writing activities themselves that mirror this process. At the end of the project students will be able to: Use brainstorming and invention techniques to come up with ideas for writing. Use a journal to record their observations of places, people, and lists of facts from which they draw to write stories. Discriminate between different types of audiences. Create a science fiction story line. Understand character development and create their own characters. Understand descriptive techniques in writing and write descriptive paragraphs. Create multiple drafts of their work and share them through peer editing. Analyze their writing and that of other students. Share their work through email with the authors and with each other. Evaluate the writing of others and give constructive feedback. Revise their writing to conform to the correct standards of English.
National Standards to which this program aligns		National NS.K-12.4 Language Arts Students adjust their use of spoken, written, and visual language (e.g., conventions, style, vocabulary) to communicate effectively with a variety of audiences and for different purposes. NS.K-12.5 Language Arts Students employ a wide range of strategies as they write and use different writing process elements appropriately to communicate with different audiences for a variety of purposes. NS.K-12.6 Language Arts Students apply knowledge of language structure, language conventions (e.g., spelling and punctuation), media techniques, figurative language, and genre to create, critique, and discuss print and nonprint texts. NS.K-12.8 Language Arts Students use a variety of technological and informational resources (e.g., libraries, databases, computer networks, video) to gather and synthesize information and to create and communicate knowledge. NS.K-12.12 Language Arts Students use spoken, written, and visual language to accomplish their own purposes (e.g., for learning, enjoyment, persuasion, and the exchange of information).
State/Regional Standards to which this program aligns		Missouri Communication Arts In Communication Arts, students in Missouri public schools will acquire a solid foundation which includes knowledge of and proficiency in: 1. speaking and writing standard English (including grammar, usage, punctuation, spelling, capitalization) 2. reading and evaluating fiction, poetry and drama 5. comprehending and evaluating the content and artistic aspects of oral and visual presentations (such as story-telling, debates, lectures, multi-media productions)
Program Length		1 hour for teachers; 1 hour for students
Dates/Times		Program Date Program Time Network Time Registration Deadline All times below are displayed in Eastern Daylight Time, as specified in your profile. 4/13/2011 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM 04/01/2011 4/27/2011 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM 04/01/2011 5/11/2011 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM 04/01/2011
Connection Type(s) Available and Program Fees		Interactive Cost: $750.00
Program Fee Notes		New Links members pay only $650. P.O.'s will be accepted. Payment is due thirty days from receipt of invoice.
Cancellation Policy		We will not charge for programs canceled due to nature, ie. snow days. The full fee will be charged to sites which cancel with less than 4 days notice.
Is recording allowed?		No
Recording Notes		recording is not allowed
The Provider broadcasts over		IP
Minimum Technology Specifications for sites connecting to this provider		We prefer that schools dial into us or our bridge, but if necessary, we can dial out to them. All ISDN line costs are borne by the school.

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