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School Visits
Betty speaks to a wide range of audiences. Here are just a few of her presentations.  |
FOR GRADES 1 - 5 |
How I learned to think, act, talk and write like a hamster
(and you can too!)
A lesson in writing and learning to squeak up for yourself!
Students at the Eldredge School, East Greenwich,Rhode Island, show off their hamster masks.
The World According To Humphrey is geared toward 7-11 year olds, but is also appropriate for younger children as a read-aloud. (Many first-grade teachers are using it this way.) Highlights of the presentation include:
- How the character of Humphrey was born and evolved, including early notes
- Inspirations from childhood books to her own experiences as a student
- How she created the unique voice of the hamster narrator
- Learning about hamsters: rodent research!
- Writing, rewriting and rewriting some more
- The editorial process - what copy editing REALLY means
- The challenge of writing a sequel!
Betty's presentation is 45-minutes to an hour and includes lots of visuals, humor, handouts and student interaction. She would prefer the students are familiar with the book.
For younger audiences (kindergarten and first grade), Betty presents a 30-45 minute interactive talk using a hamster puppet, speaking about Humphrey and introducing them to how her early love of reading led to a writing career.
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FOR GRADES 3 - 6 |
The Search for Sassafras Springs
Join Betty on a journey to explore the roots of THE SEVEN WONDERS OF SASSAFRAS SPRINGS as she explains and illustrates how her family's oft-told tales (true and otherwise) inspired and informed this book and specifically, how each of the individual stories came together, demonstrating where ideas come from and how they evolve into stories. Emphasis is on the value of listening to and passing on family stories. The perfect accompaniment to units on family stories, genealogy or story-telling.
It is important that students have read the book first.
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FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL |
From Story To Script
Betty speaks and/or workshops with students on writing scripts (animated or live action), the differences between writing a script and writing narrative fiction, with an emphasis on creating meaningful stories that make a difference.
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FOR ADULTS |
The Stories Behind the Stories (see above)
This speech is popular and entertaining for adult groups.
Television: Friend Or Foe?
Betty has spoken to parent, teacher, library and civic groups on her experiences writing for children's television: What's right about it, what's wrong about it, and how this Emmy winning T.V. writer actually turned off the television when her son was growing up - and lived to tell about it! (45-minutes to an hour)
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RECENT AND UPCOMING SCHOOL VISITS |
2009 - I am going to have to reduce my travel schedule in 2009. I will do some appearances, but will probably not be traveling out of state for a one-day event, because I lose two days in traveling. I hate to do this ... but I need time to write!
2008
January 11 John Evans Elementary School, Orlando, FL
January 12 Barnes and Noble, Oviedo, FL, Book signing at 11 am
January 14 Trinity Elementary School, New Port Richey, FL
January 15 Schrader Elemetary School, New Port Richey, FL
January 16 Wesley Chapel Elementary School, Wesley Chapel, FL
January 17 Marlowe Elementary School, New Port Richey, FL
January 22 Whittier Christian School, Maybrook Elementary, Whittier, CA
February 2 Speaker, Delta Kappa Gamma Society International Area XIII Conference, Cal Poly Pomona, Pomona, CA
February 21 Jurupa Unified School District and library visit, Riverside, CA
February 29 Trip to United Kingdom!
March 2 Bath Literature Festival, Bath, England
March 3 School Events in Bristol
March 4 School Events at the Guardian Newsroom, London
March 5 St. Alban's School events in association with the Federation of Children's Book Groups
March 6 WORLD BOOK DAY event held at Stratford Circus, London
March 7 Basildon Children's Book Festival
March 8-15 UK Travel
March 18-19 Chadwick School, Palos Verdes, CA
April 8,9,10 Farmington, MI - schedule TBA
April 17 TLA (Texas Library Association) Conference, Dallas, TX - panel with Gennifer Choldenko and Barbara O'Connor
April 21-22 Oklahoma Library Association conference, Tulsa, OK- to receive the Sequoyah Book Award
April 23 Indian Springs Elementary, Broken Arrow, OK
May 12 Smokey Row Elementary and Forest Dale Elementary, Carmel, IN
May 14, 15,16 School visits in Cedar Rapids, IA - schedule TBA
May 19 Mill Creek Elementary School, Bucks County, PA
May 20 Goodnoe Elementary School, Bucks County, PA
May 21 Richboro Elementary School, Bucks County, PA
May 22 Holland Elementary School, Bucks County, PA
June TBA Third Street School, Los Angeles, CA
September TBA The John Cooper School, The Woodlands, TX
November 6-8 Kaleidoscope Conference, Calgary and school visits
November 15 Grace A. Dow Memorial Library Battle of the Books, Midland, MI
2007
January 10 Moulton Elementary, Laguna Niguel, CA
January 29-30 Van Buren Elementary, Oklahoma City, OK
Jan. 31-Feb. 1 Columbus Enterprise Elementary, Oklahoma City, OK
February 2 Earl Harris Elementary School, Bethany, OK
February 5 Wayland Bonds Elementary School, Oklahoma City, OK
February 5 Briarwood Elementary School, Oklahoma City, OK (evening)
February 6 Houchin Elementary School, Oklahoma City, OK
February 6 Santa Fe Elementary School, Oklahoma City, OK
February 7 Northmoor Elementary School, Oklahoma City, OK
February 7 Red Oak Elementary School, Oklahoma City, OK
February 9 Curtis School, Los Angeles, CA
February 13 Whittier Christian School, Whittier, CA
February 25 Family Festival of Books, Chino Fairgrounds, Chino, CA
March 2 Citrus Elementary School, Upland, CA
March 27 Sonrise Christian School, Covina, CA
April 1 Mirman School, Los Angeles, CA
April 30 Metcalf Elementary, Exeter, R.I.
Wawaloam Elementary, Exeter, R.I.
May 2 Fisher School, Arlington, VT
Manchester Elementary Middle School, Manchester, VT
May 3 Seven Hill Towns,/Seven Wonders event, Arms Library, Shelburne Falls, MA, 7 PM
May 17 Children's Book World, Los Angeles, 10:30 am
May 24 Middlebury, IN - Seven Wonders events
June 6 Young Author's Celebration, Victorville, CA
July 17 Reading Camp, Azusa, CA
Sept. 19 L.A. County Fair - America's Kids - all day
Sept. 28 Chandler School, Pasadena, CA
Sept. 29 THE PRINCESS AND THE PEABODYS BOOK SIGNING, Mrs. Nelson's Toy and Book Store, LaVerne, CA, 2:00 PM
Oct. 11-13 Washington Media Library Conference, Yakima - to receive the Washington State Sasquatch Award, Oct. 12, Speaking and signing Oct. 13
Nov. 6 Sycamore Elementary School, Upland, CA - evening event, time TBA
Nov. 8 Seven Wonders of Sassafras Springs, Buena Vista Branch, Burbank Public Library - Book Club members only
Nov. 16 California State Libraray Association Conference, Ontario, CA, 2:15-3:15, signing to follow; November 18, Author-Illustrator Brunch
For rates and schedules, lease email Betty at betty@bettybirney.com |
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Betty speaks at Roosevelt Elementary School, Tampa, FL |
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