Helpful Hints
Want to insure a successful school visit with Miriam? Here are some helpful hints!
• Miriam's most popular presentation is "How a Book is Made" which is an interactive demonstration of the publishing process (covering collecting ideas in a book and writing revisions), a book reading, a Q& A session and then an activity. This presentation is perfect for grades 1-3, though both grades K and 4-5 will enjoy it.
• Miriam prefers to present to unmixed grades (so the group is entirely one grade, the same age range). Even though the presentation may be exactly the same, the comprehension and attention span of a kindergartner is very different from a 2nd grader.
• Miriam prefers to present to groups no larger than 80 students. Miriam wants to be able to connect with students.
• Please have Miriam present in a setting such as a library or classroom. If a cafeteria or gym must be used, please have a wireless, handless microphone available.
•For all presentations, regardless of group size Miriam will need:
-a table to put her things on
-easel
-pad of paper
-thick marker
• For groups over 40 students, Miriam will need to project parts of her presentation. If possible, please have a projector/computer set up available for her--she can bring her powerpoint presentations on cd or flash drive. If you do not have a projector/computer set up, please let her know so she can bring her own (she prefers to use a school's set up as her projector is not of the best quality). If Miriam is bringing her own projector she will:
- a screen
- a table to put her projector on
- two extension cords.
• Please do booksales, especially pre-ordering. Pre-ordering helps bring anticipation to the visit and nothing is more exciting to a child than having a book signed by the author they just met, as well as being a constant reminder of the excitment of the day.
• Prepare the students! Even though Miriam asks that you do not share the book she is presenting, please distribute the other book freely. Have the students do some of the activities and discussions Miriam has on the site and get them excited about the upcoming visit (nothing scares an author more than presenting in front of a "cold" audience).
• Please supply Miriam with lunch or a venue to get lunch that is not the school cafeteria. Please allow Miriam to eat either in the faculty room or the privacy of a separate room--not the cafeteria with the students.
• Confirm with Miriam a week before her visit the time of arrival and day's schedule. Inform her the exact amount of students she will be presenting to so that she can bring enough bookmarks for all.