How should schools prepare for a Wordfest artist visit?

What can I do in advance to prepare for a school visit?

Check the school schedule to make sure the dates and times for the visit won’t be competing with assemblies, student pictures and other events that may interrupt or reduce the presenter’s audience.

Contact Wordfest well in advance of the proposed date to ensure that you agree on your intended venue, audience size and grade level. Discuss any special requests you may have about the needs of your classroom, or the books or themes you’d like the presenter to cover. As well, make sure you are able to anticipate any special equipment (e.g., audio visual support) required by the presenter.

Most importantly, prepare your students by familiarizing them with the work of your invited presenter. The more students know about the artist, the more interested and enthusiastic they will be. Encourage your students to prepare questions that the class would like the presenter to answer. (Discuss the difference between comments and questions. Discuss what types of questions are appropriate and which ones are pertinent but not impertinent!).

When possible, invite students to undertake projects (crafts, posters, etc.) based on the presenter’s books. These activities will help build excitement and a sense of connection. Ask younger students to draw or write what they think the presenter looks like, based on his or her work. When the presenter arrives, students will be excited to see if their descriptions or drawings are accurate.
If the presenter has asked to bring books for sale, send an advance notice home with students.

Related Posts