Program Description :: Schools We Work With :: How to Prepare :: Bring BtheB to Your School
How to Prepare for Your Author Visit Behind the Book asks that, once an author has been chosen, we set up a schedule that includes a delivery date for the books and the date and time for the visit to ensure that you and your students have enough time to read and discuss the book before the visit. We intend for the books to be given to the students rather than the school or teacher and will be happy to provide a copy for the teacher and school library as well. We usually spend two periods and work with one class at a time, a maximum of 35 students. We have found that there is a bigger impact on the students when the author is in the classroom rather than an assembly. We require that the study of the chosen book be part of the curriculum and be assessed as other studies are in the classroom. We will be happy to work with you on curriculum planning and will provide background material. Sometimes we find it beneficial to include the author in the planning as well. We also ask that one written assignment be included in the curriculum and that we have the option to post the results of that assignment on our web site after you’ve done your processing of the work. We prefer that you send us the written material on a CD but we can discuss the best method of delivery when we get closer. We will arrange a conference call between the author, teacher, and Behind the Book for a mutually convenient time about a week before the visit so we can discuss student reactions, classroom preparation, the format of the visit and anything that will better help the author in his/her presentation. Oftentimes students read their own work or make a presentation of what they’ve studied to the author. Students have done art projects and worked with computers in conjunction with the book, as well. Before the visit, we will send the teacher a Photo Release that should be signed by the parents and a Student Evaluation that we’d like each student to fill out both before and directly after the class. We charge $250 per visit, which is a small portion of the costs, and would appreciate a check made out to Behind the Book at the time of the visit. We do have a Board of Education vendor number and can discuss payment in detail before the visit. And lastly, we like to work with the same group of students at least two times during the year so we can best assess the results of the program. In the case of elementary, where the students usually stay with the same teacher for the year, we prefer to do three visits. We can work with the same author for each visit or not. We can provide a discount on the cost if we agree to three visits. back to top