I Would Love To visit!
I love talking to students and teachers about books and words and writing. I am especially excited to share with you my journey to publication and to hear your thoughts and questions about That's What Friends Do.
If you're interested in having me visit your school, library or bookstore, please email me at cath.barnhart25@gmail, or reach out through the Say Hello page to discuss scheduling and pricing.
Below are some of the presentations and workshops I offer.
Presentations and Workshops
Presentations and workshops can be completed in mixed-age groups of students in the following grade ranges: 4-6, 5-7, 6-8, and 9-12. As an experienced classroom teacher, I differentiate my presentations to fit the learning styles and developmental needs of different student groups.
Presentations
My Journey to Publication
30-60 minutes
In person or on Zoom
Students will learn about the path to publishing, through my personal experience of becoming a published author. I will talk about sources of inspiration, different drafting techniques, working with a writer’s group to revise, querying literary agents, getting a book deal, revising for publication, and beyond. I will share I what I love about books as both a reader and a writer. I will use visual aids and student involvement to engage the audience.
From First Draft to Final: The Joy and Value of Revision
30-60 minutes
In person or on Zoom
Students will learn about different types of revision and reasons for revision using That’s What Friends Do as a mentor text for the revision process. I will talk about writer’s groups, point-of- view, story structure, editorial feedback, sensitivity readers, line edits, copyedits, and more.
Author Reading with Q&A
20 minutes
Zoom only
I'll read from That’s What Friends Do, and then answer your students’ questions.
Workshops
You Tell Your Story, I’ll Tell Mine: A Study of Perspective
40 to 90 minutes
In person or on Zoom
Students will review types of point-of-view and identify the point-of-view used in That’s What Friends Do. Studying the stairwell scene, which is described by both David and Sammie, students will analyze how perspective affects each character’s experience of that scene. Students will then write the hallway scene from another character’s point of view. Extension activity: students will write their own dual narrator scene.
Characters Change
40 to 90 minutes
In person or on Zoom
Students will review the types of characterization as they are used in developing David’s character in That’s What Friends Do. They will then trace David’s character journey through the novel to identify David’s initial desires and goals, and how and why he evolves. Extension activity: students will create their own fictional character using types of characterization and character desires and goals.
Book Club
1 hour
In person or on Zoom
Students will engage in a book club discussion with me, based on the reading guide questions. The goal of this session is to foster deep thinking and dialogue over books.
Parent-Child Book Club
1 hour
In person or on Zoom
Students and their parents will engage in a book club discussion, led by me, which will focus on the parent-child relationships in That’s What Friends Do. The goal of this session is to foster deep thinking and dialogue over books.