WHAT EDUCATORS ARE SAYING
  • "As a principal, you want the children to see assemblies that will enhance their learning and inspire them. Your assembly did just that."   ~Principal, Lindeneau School
  • "Several teachers have told me you were the best author we have had at our school! "  ~Jaggard School PTA President
  • "I've been to many author presentations over the years and I have to say yours was the most fun and engaging." ~ Reading Specialist, Sandshore School
  • "You were a big hit, all the kids and staff loved you and the middle school students (who never like anything) LOVED YOUR PRESENTATION!"  ~Director, Mazel K-8 Day School, NY
  • "Our best author visit ever!"  ~ Reading Specialist, Upper Hartford Elementary, Mt. Laurel, NJ
  Virtual Author/School Visits via Skype available also!



PROGRAMS FOR PRE-K THROUGH GRADE 8
                                      
~ASSEMBLY PROGRAMSEach assembly is tailored to the specific grade level(s).                                                                                       



MEET YOUR INNER CREATIVE GENIUS

This dynamic assembly program emphasizes the importance of creativity, imagination, and determination, and includes discussion of the Four R's: Read, Research, 'Rite, Revise.
This program promises to:
Motivate students to read, write and express themselves
Reinforce classroom instruction (compatible with Common Core)
Help students to approach revisions with a positive attitude
Demonstrate the rewards of perseverance
Have you laughing all the way through!

OTHER PROGRAMS


NONFICTION & SCIENCE FOCUS

ROCKIN' RESEARCH! NONFICTION WRITING & RESEARCH:  Using examples from her own publications, Rachelle demonstrates the research process (and how FUN it can be). Rachelle has interviewed explorers, a spy, an astronaut, and a blind artist. Students will discover the excitement of research and in writing nonfiction, and why even fiction requires research of the facts.  For grades 3-8. 

~ PRESCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN

Special Author Visit programs for the very young; includes storytelling and/or book reading following age-appropriate presentation about making stories. Rachelle touches on the importance of curiosity, creativity, and  imagination. The author talks about how story ideas are born, and how even the youngest child can create a book. The simple talk is followed by a spirited, funny, interactive storytelling.


THE WALKING FISH: Researching & Writing a Science Novel (Middle School Program)

THE WALKING FISH is a middle grade science-adventure-mystery novel. It is a Children's Book Council/National Science Teaching Association "Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K-12" award winner. This middle school assembly program discusses the extensive science research that went into the writing of the novel, as well as the author's relevant personal history and experiences. (Several free downloadable classroom guides and activities are available on this website). 

~ PARENT / FAMILY / LITERACY NIGHT PROGRAMS

"Fostering a Family Reading/Writing Culture": Enlightening and entertaining evening assembly that shows parents and children how to bring reading and writing into their every day lives in simple, fun ways--even for the reluctant readers and writers. Story building group exercize, demonstrating how we come up with ideas, characters, and details through "brainstorming." 

"EXCITING WRITING"
WRITING & REVISION WORKSHOP-- This fun classroom workshop focuses on the creative process, detail, revision and integrating dialogue. Grades 3-5 (Adapted version for grade 2). 

~ INTERACTIVE STORYTELLING by "Mother Goof"

programs for ages 2-7 : After a simple author talk, "MOTHER GOOF" will make story time come alive with interactive dramatics, story board, masks, puppets,and other props. 

~Classroom Guides and various activities related to Rachelle's books can be found by clicking on the specific book covers in the left column. You can also find a full sheet in the "preparing for your visit" link on the right.

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LITTLE ENGINEERS BUILD TOOTH FAIRY TRAPS!
This Connecticut school chose The Tooth Fairy Trap for their annual “One School, One Book” program. For more photos and projects, click HERE.
After reading The Tooth Fairy Trap, Dozens of K-2 students at a Connecticut school used their ingenious engineering skills to create their own fairy traps. They used cardboard boxes, Styrofoam take-out containers, Tupperware, and even empty water bottles. The fairies were baited with everything from flowers and candy, to a party, waterslide, and dreamy new home.
Budding Architects! 
Glenwood School students in Wildwood NJ built these amazing tree houses

Students draw pictures of their dream tree house, accompanied by an essay or story.
This Delaware school chose Tree House in a Storm as the basis for several projects.


 Life-size tree house was a
school-wide art project 

Since book is about a hurricane, they also raised over $1000 for Superstorm Sandy victims.
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Click here to READ ABOUT RACHELLE IN THE NEWS

Click here for the full adventures of Rachelle and a "Flat Stanley" project.

FICTION & NONFICTION MAGAZINE STORIES

 

NONFICTION MAGAZINE STORIES


                            OTHER MAGAZINE PUBLICATIONS:                

  • MULIPLE SCIENCE ARTICLES: Scholastic Science World,  Classroom Science magazine.
  • THE COME BACK (~Catholic Forester Magazine, Spring 2008-Fiction) Boys take extreme measures to encourage their friend to return to school and baseball after cancer treatment.
  • FROM THE INSIDE OUT (~Birds and Blooms Magazine, nonFiction) The fascinating but gruesome relationship between the tomato hornworm and a parasitic wasp. (Original title: "I Ate Your Guts!")
  • THE HOLIDAY HOUSE (~Highlights Magazine, Fiction). A girl helps her elderly neighbor decorate his house for many holiday celebrated by everyone in their community.
  • TO CATCH A FAIRY (~Dragonfly Spirit, Poem) A child sets a trap to catch the tooth fairy.
  • MISMATCHED SOCKS (Pockets Magazine, Poem) How many uses can you find for odd socks that survived the dryer?
  • THE WRITE STUFF: Monthly column in national Kidsville News classroom magazine.

ANOTHER JOY OF BEING AN AUTHOR IS HANGING OUT WITH AUTHOR FRIENDS!

 
                 Pizza with DAN GUTTMAN

                 Dinner with JANE YOLEN, HEIDI STEMPLE, and TARA LAZAR

                                             Book festival with BETH FERRY

Presentation with ROBIN NEWMAN, MARIA ANDREU, JULIE GONZALEZ, TIMOTHY YOUNG, TARA LAZAR, JOSH FUNK, & ME