School visit information

This covers school visits, workshops and in-services.  For information about keynotes, answers to other questions, or if you'd like to book me for your school or conference, let's talk!              

Contact me: aprilwayland at aol.com

• WHAT I DO AND HOW MUCH IT COSTS

  I love visiting elementary, middle and high schools, libraries and universities!

  If your school is within an hour’s drive of the Los Angeles airport, I charge $1000 for the day or $850 for a half day.

  Within California but farther than an hour’s drive from LAX my fee is $1500-2500 per day depending upon the event, plus transportation and hotel.

  Otherwise I charge $1500-$2500 per day plus nonstop airfare and hotel, with a  three-day minimum—or a flat fee for three days if that's more convenient. 

  The three days could be at three different schools (or other venues) for other speaking engagements.

  I can:

• entertain and inspire as a keynote speaker,

• teach adults how to write a picture book,

• speak to parents,

• teach poetry to adults,

• do teacher inservices

• speak to university children’s literature classes

• teach an adult class through your local university extension

• do a day at elementary, middle or high schools...etc, etc!

  Every school is different.  On an ideal day, I see the students twice: once in an assembly where they get to know me and my work--and then again in a poetry workshop where they can write their own poems.

  In most elementary schools this means I do two assemblies for the entire school, and then a poetry workshop for a limited number of select students or a particular class or grade.

  Some schools ask students to write a poem or a paragraph explaining why they want to be in a writing workshop--the resulting group is always very motivated.
                                                                                                                                                I am very flexible--I will work with your school's schedule and needs.
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  Elementary Schools -(Complete Elementry School Curriculum 30k PDF file)

                            

  Middle Schools and High Schools - (Complete Teen Curriculum 30k PDF file)
  • Selling books, CDs and tapes at your school
  • Equipment list—things I need at your school
  • How teachers can prepare for my visit
  • What I need from you before my visit and when
  • Videotaping my visit
  • My UCLA Extension teaching schedule (includes selected appearances)

ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS

A typical three- assembly schedule is:

• K and 1st................................................50-60 minutes (yes, even the kinders)
• 2^nd and 3^rd ............................................60 minutes
• 4^th and 5^th ......……….........…................60 minutes

CONTENT OF MY PRESENTATIONS

My high-energy, slide-illustrated presentations cover the writing process, how I find ideas, writing, re-writing, editing, editing some more, and the publication process.  My underlying message is that good writing (good anything) takes TIME. 

• With the youngest students, presentations focus on storytelling.
• Guaranteed fun: I play the fiddle! (I only play at the very end of the last story, but that’s what they remember!)
• Presentations are interactive, energetic and fun!

OTHER WORKSHOPS AVAILABLE

Check out what I offer below for middle and high schools.  We can do the same in your elementary school!

MIDDLE SCHOOLS AND HIGH SCHOOLS

Some schools simply want assemblies, which is fine.  My high-energy, slide-illustrated assembly presentations cover the writing process, how I find ideas, writing, re-writing, editing, editing some more, and the publication process.  My underlying message is that good writing (good anything) takes TIME.

However, the range of what I offer to middle schools and high schools varies considerably—let’s think outside the box—above and beyond the assembly!

I can:

• lead poetry workshops
• teach picture book writing workshops
• do writing exercises with creative writing classes
• speak to students about a writing career
• perform stories and talk about writing in a large auditorium setting
• do one large assembly and then a small Master Class for specially chosen students
• do teacher in-services. 
  (In them, teachers learn two terrific writing exercises that they can give to their classes the next day), tailor a day especially for your school's needs. 

SELLING BOOKS, CDs, TAPES AT YOUR SCHOOL

If your school decides to sell my current books through your local independent bookstore I would be delighted to autograph them.  To locate an independent bookstore near you, go to BOOKSENSE

Many of my picture books are out of print, but I have several hundred copies of IT’S NOT MY TURN TO LOOK FOR GRANDMA!,  and GIRL COMING IN FOR A LANDING, which I sell.  My CDs and tapes (which include each of my picture books, seventeen poems and a fiddle tune) and are also available through me.

HOW TEACHERS CAN PREPARE FOR MY VISIT

My only requirement is that each teacher read To Rabbittown and The Night Horse manuscripts (without pictures) to his or her students ahead of time.  Even the middle and high school students!  I’ll show the illustrations during my presentation.  I want them to imagine their own pictures before they see the books. 

Please make my teacher activities available to each teacher and ask them to read the manuscripts to their classes.  Give this to them well in advance so that they can incorporate some activities into their class work.