Programs and Presentations for Educators

Candice has visited hundreds of schools and libraries in the last 25 years. She has given keynote addresses and workshops at international, state, and local reading teacher and library media conferences. She is in demand as a speaker at reading conferences.

SCHOOL PRESENTATIONS

“How I Came to Be a Writer” – In this program Candice discusses how she began writing at age 7.  She shows old stories (not outstanding!), report cards (ditto), drawings, photographs, and other ephemera to illustrate her not-so-easy journey from child-writer to published author.  This popular humorous presentation inspires young people to follow their dreams.  PowerPoint. 
Grades 3 – 7.  50 minutes

“Virginia Kid, Virginia Writer” – Similar to “How I Came to Be a Writer,” Candice emphasizes the books she has written with a Virginia background--historical, biographical, and autobiographical.  Students love to hear about Candice’s horrible eighth grade year and her ninth grade year in which she was nearly murdered!  PowerPoint.
Grades 4 – 7.  50 minutes.

“Time Spies” – In this program Candice discusses the creation of her 10-book fantasy series that involves time travel to little-known events in American history.  See the real house that inspired the Gray Horse Inn, the storyboard she devised, photographs of “real” characters (Ellsworth the stuffed elephant and Winchester the cat) in the series, and hear more about the real-life events that inspired each book.  [Bonus:  Teachers can send away for the Time Spies Mission Handbook book club kit.]  PowerPoint. 
Grades 2 – 5.  50 minutes

“The Big Green Pocketbook/The Old Blue Pick-up Truck” – Two autobiographical picture books—one based on a fun day with Candice and her mother, the other based on a fun day with Candice and her stepfather—help young children see that it’s okay to “write what you know.”  Candice shows the actual big green pocketbook!  PowerPoint. 
Grades K – 2.  45 minutes

“Tractor Day/Big Rigs” – One picture book, one nonfiction book about big machines!  (Don’t be fooled—a girl rides the tractor!)  Tractor Day is autobiographical, but Candice knew nothing about big trucks when she wrote Big Rigs.  Kids learn writers can use their own memories for ideas, but can also write about something new.  PowerPoint. 
Grades K – 2.  45 minutes

“Pony Island” – In this presentation of Candice’s first nonfiction picture book, students learn how the wild ponies came to Assateague Island, lived there for centuries, and were rounded up for the first pony swim and auction on Chincoteague Island.  PowerPoint. 
Grades 1 – 3.  45 minutes

“Children of the Civil War” – Candice talks about growing up on a Civil War battlefield and how she came to write Children of the Civil War, which led to other Civil War books (The Promise Quilt, Robert E. Lee, and Willie McLean and the Civil War Surrender). Candice tells little-known stories of children who lived during those war-torn years. PowerPoint.
Grades 4 - 7. 50 minutes

STUDENT WORKSHOPS:

Candice gives one workshop per day to one class.  Shorter workshops to accommodate an additional class can be arranged.

“Writing Fantasy” – Students learn the ingredients of a secondary world.  They create a story map, learn the importance of names, setting, and rules of magic. 
Grades 3 – 6.  Three hours.

“So, What’s Your Story” – Students learn how to turn autobiography into fiction.
Grades 3 – 6.  Three hours.

PROGRAMS FOR EDUCATORS, MEDIA SPECIALISTS, AND PARENTS:

Candice often gives after-school or evening programs (such as PTO/PTA meetings) in conjunction with school visits.  In-services can be tailored to meet the needs of your teachers.  Candice has developed several workshops that she has given to reading council conferences.

“Sending Them Back in Time to Help Them Reach the Future:  Using the Time Spies Series with Transitional Readers”  - Candice has developed a workshop based on the needs of transitional readers.  She created the Time Spies series for transitional readers and has presented extensively on the topic.  Participants learn to identify transitional traits and problem areas and use the Time Spies Mission Handbook book club kit to help bridge the gap from leveled books to more complex books.  Other techniques include assemblage art, journal writing, reader’s theater.  PowerPoint, handout, exercises.
2 hours 

“Narratives” – This workshop fuses reading, writing, and art to immerse students in literature.  Candice uses her experience in creating assemblages (she has been a designer and teacher of mixed-media art in a scrapbook store) to demonstrate how to guide students to make their own mixed media pieces that enable them to “walk around inside” books.  (In addition to teaching art and journaling, Candice created more than 20 mixed-media assemblages to accompany her children’s literature thesis, a memoir.)   Handout.
2 hours

“Dog-eared: My Life in Children’s Books” – This inspirational talk is based on Candice’s childhood memoir, an homage to the books that saved and shaped her life.  She speaks about the right books that fell into her hands when she needed them most.  In this funny, moving, uplifting presentation, Candice draws upon her Southern storytelling heritage to share the effect reading had on one child.
1 hour

FOR PRESCHOOL TEACHERS AND DAYCARE PROVIDERS:

“A Playpen with a View:  Aspects of the Board Book” - Candice has developed a workshop specifically for daycare providers and preschool teachers based on her MFA thesis on board books.  This program was presented with great success at an annual conference of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).  Board books, often the first book a child sees, are sometimes considered toys and are often based on licensed characters.  In this presentation, childcare providers and preschool teachers will learn to identify a quality board book that best suits the emotional and developmental needs of a child.  PowerPoint, handout. 
2 hours

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