Ideas are Everywhere
This is Kevin’s most popular program! It's an interactive author/writing/reading presentation focused on specific examples of where ideas can come from (real life experiences, memories, feelings, friends, reading, etc.). Kevin shares insights on writing and revision while showing rough drafts and journals from when he wrote The Tomato Collection. This presentation is well paced, interactive, and filled with the right amount of puppetry, music, poetry, and humor. This is Kevin’s “author visit” program and it motivates students to write and create! Kevin has been doing variations of this presentation since 1998 and over the years he has continued to "fine tune" it. The current format of this program now includes Kevin's brand new puppet theatre.
This is Kevin’s most popular program! It's an interactive author/writing/reading presentation focused on specific examples of where ideas can come from (real life experiences, memories, feelings, friends, reading, etc.). Kevin shares insights on writing and revision while showing rough drafts and journals from when he wrote The Tomato Collection. This presentation is well paced, interactive, and filled with the right amount of puppetry, music, poetry, and humor. This is Kevin’s “author visit” program and it motivates students to write and create! Kevin has been doing variations of this presentation since 1998 and over the years he has continued to "fine tune" it. The current format of this program now includes Kevin's brand new puppet theatre.
Here's more specific content of the presentation:
- Kevin presents that "ideas are everywhere, we just need to find them..."
- Using specific connections to his work, Kevin shares examples of where ideas can come from
- Kevin shares some of his favorite books and how they've inspired him to write
- Kevin shows the journals used to write The Tomato Collection and talks about how "writing takes time... start with any idea and write lots of ideas... it's not supposed to be well written when you first start..."
- Kevin creates experiences where he and the students work together to create new material right during the program
- Lots of fun, movement, laughter, and learning!
“…valuable and inspiring…a motivation for creative writing.”
- Pat Maier, Sycamore Elementary, Holt, MI
"Teachers are still talking about your message of finding ideas everywhere, the need to reread and revise, and that writing is just plain fun."
- Lisa Lederach, Chandler Elementary, Goshen, IN
"Kevin...totally rocked our parent night! Kevin and his presentations are exciting, engaging, and entertaining for the whole family! He's funny, he sings, and his puppets get the kids totally involved! I use Kevin's books in my classroom every year as a starting point to get my students writing, then I turn their writing into books. They love it!"
- Christine Williams, Hana Elementary, Hana, HI
"...students were eager to write as soon as they got back to their classrooms."
- Sarah Sinclair, McAlear Sawden Elementary, Bay City, MI
"One mom emailed the principal to let us know that her son was so excited about what you talked about that he wanted a pencil and pad of paper so he could write down his ideas."
- Jo Ann Gavron, Torrey Hill Intermediate, Fenton, MI
Age level recommendations:
Grades K-2: 45 minutes
Grades 3-5: 45 - 60 minutes
Grades 6-8: 45 - 60 minutes (you bet; Kevin can do a presentation focused for this age group!)
Curriculum connection:
Language Arts, Creative Writing, Music
Setup:
Kevin brings his puppet theatre and sound system. All you need to provide is the space and electricity.
Audience size:
Ideally 100 - 150 per presentation
Interested in bringing this program to your school? Great! Simply fill out this form!
