Our School Visits -Motivating Kiwi Kids to Read

We are trained teachers and love to inspire and encourage students. Margery is based in Taranaki and I (Jennifer) am in Canterbury. I love to inspire and encourage young writers. My visits are sponsored by Read NZ and I travel widely, running interactive sessions with students throughout the country. Sessions include drama, animated story-telling with props, and interactive sessions on writing and producing a picture book. Different sessions for different age groups are available.

Junior School Visits

With juniors, I either coach the children into acting out A Very Greedy Tale, or do storytelling with children doing the sound effects. Squeals, shouts, ZAPS and much laughter result! We have a blast! The juniors love Old Truck and I put them in the story as the children - campaigning to save him. We finish by showing a video clip of the real, restored 1921 Republic truck.

“The children LOVED the sessions with Jennifer. She tailored her presentations perfectly for each age level. She delighted the younger students with interactive storytelling and drama – they had so much fun taking part in the stories.” - Yvonne Hall, Sumner School, Christchurch

“This was an outstanding visit that my teachers are talking enthusiastically about. The junior students followed up with excellent story writing.” - Kate Stevenson, Principal, Tokanui School

“The kids loved reading your stories and being able to act them out was a real highlight ... After the visit, we were all able to get really great writing out of our kids.” - Karen Tabuteau, Team leader, St Mary’s Catholic School, Rotorua

Senior School Visits

With seniors, I want to release the writer within them by raising their expectation of what they can achieve. I share the joys and frustrations of writing and an overview of our process - from plot construction, through editing, illustrating and finally design. They are usually surprised by how much work and time it takes! For activities, I get the students to identify the problems in The Eel Hunt and how these keep the reader engaged. They may also share a personal story, edit a raw draft, or do a free-write. There are always heaps of questions.

“The sessions with the older students were packed with useful ideas and valuable input encouraging their development as writers. Jennifer had great natural rapport with the children and they were buzzing with excitement after meeting her! Highly recommended!” - Yvonne Hall, Sumner School, Christchurch

“Hearing her stories were true, it inspired me with my own farm stories.”
- Student, Balfour School