What Teachers Should Know About Wordfest Youth

Identifying a relevant author to connect with your students takes research. Wordfest has a wide range of authors, illustrators and poets coming to Calgary and the Bow Valley area for the festival (October 2016). Sign up for the newsletter, check the lineup, the biographies and the books to be presented as they are announced on our website beginning in spring 2016. Call us for more information so the best fit for your students reading level, discussion topics and links to your curriculum are established. We’re here to help you.

Website: wordfest.com/youth
Online enquiry: Click Here
Email: youth@wordfest.com
Telephone: 403-237-9068 – ext 223

Wordfest invites you to meet two authors in theatres for a magical live show. Events run between 60 and 75 minutes and are followed by a book signing opportunity. Wordfest may also organise a 60-minute in-school session where you host the author in your class, at another suitable school venue for a more intimate presentation, or by facilitating a customised workshop for your students.

Before undertaking a Wordfest event, at your school or in theatre, make sure your principal and other key administrators are on board. You may want to reach out to the school’s principal, assistant principal, team leads or school librarians for their support so everyone is on the same page and the logistics of the event can be ironed out to ensure success.

Wordfest Youth opens reservation for tickets and in-school events in May. The lineup is announced by electronic newsletter and on the Wordfest website. Please book early to access the best rates, program options and author availabilities.

Wordfest artists come to Calgary from across Canada and around the world. Wordfest works hard to keep its programming affordable by involving volunteers, donors, sponsors, public funders and support from the publishing industry. Alberta School Parent Associations who receive funding from Casinos may use their Alberta Casino funds to cover school booking fees for a Wordfest event. A Fundraising Ideas PDF and potential sources of funding and grants are available on Wordfest’s website.

Familiarizing students ahead of time about the Wordfest Youth Authors authors your school has booked will deepen the experience and improve learning outcomes. The more students know about the artist, the more interested and enthusiastic they will be about the school-visit or field trip to an in-theatre event. Take time to read stories or excerpts from the books before attending.

Make the book visible and accessible to the students and staff at your school. Wordfest has partnered with Owl’s Nest Books who have friendly, knowledgeable staff who are available to help with any book purchases you or your school would like to order for your event. Keep in mind that Festival books (youth or adult, French or English) are available to schools at a discount through Owl’s Nest.

Since 2000, Wordfest has created custom educational resources for teachers, parents and students. These resources help introduce young readers to the books presented. Check out our Reading Guides from Wordfest Youth 2015 or peruse past reading guides archived on our website.

The Read and Review Program runs from February to June 2016 and is a great way to contribute year-round to Wordfest as it prepares for its 21st annual Festival in October 2016. Manuscripts and advance reader copies are available at the office for children and youth to review. Feedback from volunteer readers of all ages is crucial for our program planning.

Pick up a book from the office
Read and enjoy
Submit a review (online or print)
Return the book
Pickup a book