Programs

About Sharon - Teaching Experience

Classroom teaching, elementary level
Author visits to schools, libraries, and bookstores
Presentations to adults at club meetings and writers' conferences
Courses on writing for children at Redbird Studios and UW-Milwaukee Outreach

Notes from Sharon:

History and family are strong elements in my work. I enjoy mingling the present and past to demonstrate the connection between today and yesterday. Knowing how people lived before we came along leads to an appreciation of what we have today and sets the stage for a better tomorrow.

During school visits, I encourage students to think of themselves as writers. In today's world of rapid communication, the ability to express a thought clearly is extremely important. Just as reading for pleasure reinforces a skill necessary for everyday life, writing for pleasure improves all types of communication.

Although I focus on writing for children, I occasonally write for adults.

Presentations

Meet the Author

Where do story ideas come from? What does it take to turn an idea into a complete story? How does a story become a picture book? Sharon answers all those questions and more.

Story Writing Workshop

Using her work as an example, Sharon explains the secret to ending stories. Students as young as third graders gain hands-on experience in creating a believable character and plotting a realistic story. Worksheets help students organize their thoughts.

In-school Field Trips

This program is designed for a small group or a single class. As the students move around the building, they take a unique look at everyday places, things and events to create poetry, stories, and articles. Past field trips included writing in the school entryway, on the playground, in the gym, alongside the pool, and in the cafeteria after a walk through the kitchen. Any place approved by the school's administration is a possibility.

Making your story "Real"

Specific details, transitions, dialogue, thought, and point of view turn words into a mental movie for readers. Brief writing exercises illustrate each technique.

The Right Here Quiz

Kids of all ages enjoy this review of history from the ice age to the present. Correct answers are guaranteed! If hints don't help, you can ask anyone in the room for the answer. Silliness is part of the Q & A. The program ends with a reading of Right Here on This Spot. This program works well as a family library event.

Fees vary depending on the program and travel expenses involved. Specialized programs can be developed to meet specific objectives. Contact Sharon for more info.