Workshops
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WORKSHOP TOPICS FOR SCHOOLS AND ORGANIZATIONS
AN AUTHOR’S LIFE: For civic organizations, women’s groups, social clubs. A fun, informative description of the realities of an author’s life.
LIBRARIES I HAVE LOVED: Libraries have impacted my life since I was a child. Travel around the U.S. through the libraries that I visited during my growing-up and adult years. Each one added to my writing experiences.
WRITING FOR PUBLICATION: Whether you want to write fiction or nonfiction, this workshop will help you learn the process needed to make submissions. The course is designed for six weeks. At the end of the course, attendees will have a manuscript ready for submission. A short, introductory course is also available.
TAKE THE MYSTERY OUT OF WRITING: How to love writing so your students will, too! (For teachers of all grades — activities related to the current testing standards can be provided)
YOUNG WRITERS’ CLUB: Would you like to start a Young Writers’ Club in your school? Steps to organize a club, activities to last a year, and how to put together a club magazine will be covered in this workshop. A plan will be shared that can be used for Career Ladder hours.
SO YOU WANT TO BE AN AUTHOR? For teachers, children, and adults. Practical writing tips, the process a writer goes through before an article or book is published, and markets that are open to unpublished authors will all be shared. Each workshop will be designed specifically for the audience (youth or children, for example).
KIDS AND BOOKS: A DYNAMIC DUO: Reading is exciting! Help your students find the best books for their interests. The writing process will also be shared, to help readers see how an idea becomes a story, article, or book. (This is best for teachers of younger children. If desired for teachers of older students, looking at books from an author’s perspective will be the main emphasis.)
USING LITERATURE IN THE CLASSROOM: All Books, All the Time! Let your students read the different genres (i.e, biographies, science fiction, mysteries) to sharpen the reading skills. No matter what level, all students can be involved with the different units. (Ties into The Tapestry of Reading by Terry Zahniser McDermid, for upper elementary and middle grade students)
CELEBRATE CHILDHOOD: Songs to teach every day things in your early childhood/primary classroom. Use familiar songs (with or without a CD player) to help your students learn science, math, social studies, and reading skills. A song for every letter of the alphabet will be shared.
YOUNG AUTHOR workshops can also be designed to fit your school or classroom’s particular needs. Ms. McDermid has been a classroom teacher for twenty years and has presented workshops for all ages. Let Writing and Reading come alive for your students or organization through one of her workshops.
Contact Ms. McDermid at tessa@tessamcdermid.com for available times, suggested prices, and more information. References and testimonials are also available.
