I have a lot of experience as an elementary school teacher and I would love to come to your school to do workshops or assemblies about my book. I am happy to travel, as long as expenses are covered (unless I will already be in that vicinity on a trip of my own). I can also be booked for visits worldwide virtually via ZOOM. While I will describe my workshops or assemblies available below, I’m willing to combine or adjust them as needed (varying content or length based on ages or needs of students). I can also do storytelling with preschool aged children. Please read each topic below for age appropriateness and what kind of presentation it would best be suited for. Please note: as I am a school teacher in the Anchorage School District (in Alaska), scheduling will be tricky throughout the school year. BUT I will set aside times quarterly to do limited engagements during the school year.
For bookings and more information, please contact me.
What Can I do for a School Visit?
Classroom or Small Group Presentations
1) KAUAI’S CALL (K-2):
This is an interactive storytelling session of my book Kauai’s Call that explores the themes of perseverance and practicing skills. There’s a craft element at the end, and there can be time for Q&A for older children. TIME: 45 minutes minimum.
2) HOW BOOKS ARE MADE (2nd grade and up):
This is a presentation that focuses on creative careers, discussing the various jobs involved in making books (authors vs. illustrators, etc.). There is also a discussion about the traditional publishing process (how an idea is turned into a physical book), as well as self-publishing. A read aloud can be incorporated for younger grades, and time for Q&A is also available. TIME: 45 minutes minimum.
3) CREATIVE WRITING (2nd grade and up):
This presentation discusses the writing process and examines traditional fiction plot structure. There is a game with student participation that will get them excited to write their own stories, then a short writing session, and time for Q&A. TIME: 1 hour minimum.
**NOTE: this session can be adapted for longer duration to include the editing and revision process or to cover specialty topics (for example: opening lines for student journalists, etc.).
Large Group or Assembly Presentations
MEET THE AUTHOR (Primary grades):
This is an inspirational presentation that discusses my biography, where ideas come from, having a dream and planning for it, and incorporates a read aloud of my book Kauai’s Call. Time is allowed for Q&A at the end, as well. TIME: 45 minutes
STAFF DEVELOPMENT (for Teachers):
This can be tailored to meet the needs of any school staff meeting. It can involve a presentation on teaching writing, the importance of storytelling for literacy rates, or the importance of teachers’ mental wellbeing by pursuing creativity (i.e., “filling the well”). If desired there can be time for a Q&A and/or autographing of books (if desired). TIME: 45 minutes
LITERACY NIGHT/EVENING EVENT (Primary grades):
This can be tailored to meet the needs of an individual school or a larger school community. It involves a presentation, Q&A, autograph time (if desired), and craft stations. The presentation can be about where ideas come from, having a dream and planning for it, & incorporate a read aloud of my book Kauai’s Call. TIME: 45 minutes (for presentation) to 2 hours (the whole evening event).
Online Presentations (via ZOOM)
ANY of the presentations (small or large) above can be adapted and available for Zoom presentations anywhere in the world. Just please note the time difference between your time zone and Alaska, as well as the fact that I’m an elementary school teacher. I am flexible and we can always work something out around all of our schedules, but I will need to plan a few weeks in advance.
QUESTIONS?
I am happy to do any one or a combination of these presentations. The assembly works well as a kick-off to the day or as a fun wrap up in the afternoon. The other workshops can be tailored to meet the needs of the groups that will be participating.
Online presentations will typically be via ZOOM and can be planned according to times available before or after school here in Alaska (luckily time zone difference is 4 hours from east coast) OR during scheduled days during the school year that I will be setting aside for presentations.
Prices for activities and presentations vary depending on whether it is a single activity, an assembly, mix of the two, a half day (which can include a combination of up to 3 activities or presentations) or an all day session (which can be a combination of up to 5 activities or presentations). I am also available for literacy nights, staff PD, and community events. For more information on specific PRICES, see here. Again, everything is flexible.
For bookings and more information, please contact me.
REVIEWS:
“We enjoyed hosting Jena Benton for an author visit! She shared her experiences in Alaska, connecting them to things our Hawaii students know, while also introducing some unique aspects of life in Alaska. Her book, Kauai’s Call, delivers a nice message about perseverance. Jena was flexible and easy to work with, tailoring her sessions to our needs. In addition to sharing school presentations during the day, she extended the experience with an evening event open to multiple schools in our complex. It was a great opportunity for students to meet a published author and learn about the writing process!”
~Janice Lee, Mililani Uka Elementary, Mililani, HI (Oahu)
“Jena’s visit to share her book Kauai’s Call was such a treat for our haumāna! Since her story was inspired by the Hawaiian Islands, her familiarity and consideration for the culture of our community made all the difference in connecting Kauai’s story with their own knowledge of chickens, roosters, and the island of Kauaʻi. Students requested rereads of the story multiple times during library visits! We also loved the craft activity, it was such a nice bonus to have something fun for the kids to take home. These keiki really do love their chickens so this visit was a perfect fit for us, and Jena was so wonderful to work with from start to finish! Mahalo nui e Jena!”
~Renea Ruark, Pūʻōhala Elementary School, Kaneohe, HI (Oahu)