During author coaching, I frequently get asked how to engage large audiences of students
during author visits.
Author visits aren't speeches, so get on the same level as your audiences. Don't stand behind the lectern. Definitely move around so all children have the opportunity to see you--even if they're seated behind the tallest kid in the school.
Author visits aren't just read-alouds. If you read your book, it is a small part of a larger presentation. But you also need to be true to yourself and your books. An author of fiction picture book will present differently than a middle grade nonfiction author. And an illustrator will present differently than an author. Though I'm a nonfiction author for a variety of ages and you may be, too, our topics, passions, and focus may be different.
Speaking of being true to yourself, I wish I didn't need to say this but never copy another person's presentation (even if you only learn about it through a social media post or an article). Let others inspire you but always make it your own! An imitation will lack the power of well-thought out and planned presentation created by the presenter.
What Is Student Engagement During Author Visits?
Student engagement during an author visit is more than when students listen or watch with a smile on their faces. Engaged students actively participate and interact in what is happening. Find ways to engage the entire group--not just one or two students at a time.
Engagement leads to higher levels of inspiration and learning!
Know Your Author Visit Audience
First, you need to know your audience. What is the age/grade? My nonfiction presentation called Facts Are Fun is dramatically different for kindergartners and sixth graders. Typically when I visit a school I'm asked to present to three groups. They might be grouped as K/1, 2/3, 4-6.
When I talk about revisions and edits with my youngest audience, I briefly talk about finger spacing, spelling, and sentences. This leads to better understanding for the reader. Second and third graders hear more about the need for details this leads to better understanding for the reader. And I show them a famous mouse as he was first illustrated. They excitedly call out his name when I ask. Then we talk about how illustrators have revised the illustrated mouse over the years. Of course I relate this to writing. For older kids I show how home renovations and writing revisions are similar. And of course good revisions lead to better understanding for the reader.
Authors, you'll come up with your own ideas, but this gives you an idea of how I change things up for different ages.
When I talk about the variety of ways we tell stories, there are some things that I may mention at each school. Stories through music? Check! Stories through art? Check! But I'm not going to mention going fishing or feeding calves to a child in a city. They may have experience with these things, but it's the rural kids' who cheer when I say such things! (Driving to the school provides me with enough information to know about the audience!)
If you're invited to present at a library or a Family Literacy Night, those audiences have very different expectations for an author school visit. Your presentation should reflect it! I suggest creating a completely different presentation for such events.
When I talk about revisions and edits with my youngest audience, I briefly talk about finger spacing, spelling, and sentences. This leads to better understanding for the reader. Second and third graders hear more about the need for details this leads to better understanding for the reader. And I show them a famous mouse as he was first illustrated. They excitedly call out his name when I ask. Then we talk about how illustrators have revised the illustrated mouse over the years. Of course I relate this to writing. For older kids I show how home renovations and writing revisions are similar. And of course good revisions lead to better understanding for the reader.
Authors, you'll come up with your own ideas, but this gives you an idea of how I change things up for different ages.
When I talk about the variety of ways we tell stories, there are some things that I may mention at each school. Stories through music? Check! Stories through art? Check! But I'm not going to mention going fishing or feeding calves to a child in a city. They may have experience with these things, but it's the rural kids' who cheer when I say such things! (Driving to the school provides me with enough information to know about the audience!)
If you're invited to present at a library or a Family Literacy Night, those audiences have very different expectations for an author school visit. Your presentation should reflect it! I suggest creating a completely different presentation for such events.
Involve Students
You might tell jokes to make students laugh, but students (and teachers) need more than just laughter. If you plan to tell a joke, figure out how to involve the whole audience.
You might sing because that’s entertaining. But don't just sing. Involve the students. Have them sing with you or teach them motions to engage them.
Singing, puppets, and jokes aren't part of every school visit. If they are included, they need to be relevant to the presentation and why you were invited as an author. I probably won't get an invitation to return if I break out in song. (But some of you should! Kim Norman does this effectively.) Nor do sixth graders want me to bring a puppet if they think it's for little kids. (Note: Wilbur joins me for every school visit. Even big kids ask to pet him. I will have to address how I use him in another blog post. By the way, Wilbur is a life-size Great-Horned Owl.) I'm not a funny person, but Rachelle Burk is. Her program makes kids giggle while providing high-quality content.
I don't tell jokes, sing, or talk with puppets. It's not my style. But it might be yours.
Interact
Here are a few ways I like to interact to involve students in my author presentations.
Call and Response
In Kim Norman's book about school visits, I learned about the call and response technique. I implemented it into my nonfiction program called Facts Are Fun. It's very effective when done well! I shared about this after an author visit on social media this year. It inspired an author to create her own call and response. She let me know it worked perfectly! I also coached an author about this. She also had great success!
In Kim Norman's book about school visits, I learned about the call and response technique. I implemented it into my nonfiction program called Facts Are Fun. It's very effective when done well! I shared about this after an author visit on social media this year. It inspired an author to create her own call and response. She let me know it worked perfectly! I also coached an author about this. She also had great success!
Demonstration with Student Helpers
At the end of my presentation (if time allows), I call on volunteers to help me demonstrate writing with some props. The seated audience is especially engaged to see their friends help! (This is the least interactive of these examples.)
Mini Activity
You might create a super short activity. During some programs, younger students explored owls' hearing by "putting on" owl ears.
Game Show
In my insect program for older children, I have a game show we do with the help of a few audience assistants.
There are plenty of ways to engage students during an assembly. Consider your topic and make it uniquely you! Brainstorm what might be fun for you and your audiences. In my next blog post I hope to talk about asking questions to engage the audience. (It may not be as simple as you think!)
Do you have other topics you want me to address in an article? Let me know!
School Visit Resources for Authors
If you need to improve your school visits--or if you're just getting started, I highly recommend Kim Norman's book, Sell Books and Get Paid Doing School Visits. This link takes you to bunches of my articles about author visits. (Don't forget to click on "Older Posts" at the bottom.
One of my most popular articles on this site is called 7 Steps to Get Started with Author Visits. However, if you need one-on-one writing or author visit coaching, feel free to reach out to me. I'm happy to help!
Thank you for the shout out, Annette!
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