Author Visits
with Diane Z. Shore
Funny, fun, and full of life, best-selling author Diane Z. Shore wows your students and sparks their creativity with her widely popular school visits. Educators describe Diane’s ultra-energetic presentations as “awe-inspiring” and “right on target with all grades.” Get ready for an inspirational, educational, interactive celebration of literacy that gets even the most reluctant reader to read and most hesitant student to write! “And they thought they were just having fun!” ( All presentations are on PowerPoint and fast paced! )
FEES: $495 for the first two sessions, $195 for additional sessions + some travel.
Travel discounts for multiple schools. Parent/teacher programs and workshops too!
A-Rockin’ & A-Read-Aloud!
K-1st Grade
Starting with a rhyming riddle contest, Diane shares songs, jokes, poems, hidden pictures, Highlights for Children article on George Washington’s false teeth, (they aren’t made of wood!) Filbert the squirrel puppet, readers’ theater and more! (Fast paced like Sesame Street)
Time: 35 min.
A-Rockin’ & A-Readin’!
2nd-4th Grade
Poems, puzzles, Highlights for Children article on the First Ferris Wheel, (it held over 2,000 people!) vivid verbs activity, songs, rejections/sloppy copies/revisions, hidden pictures, Create-A-Saurus and my hilarious “Never Give Up!” story on getting published.
Time: 40 min.
Poetry Party!
4th-5th Grade
Figure it Out! Figurative language, vivid verbs/colorful words activity all woven through poetry and my hilarious “Never Give Up!” story on getting published.
Time: 40-45 min.
Write On!
4th – 6th Grade
1 hour Cost: $250 Maximum 75 students
(Artist in Residence also available)
Fictional/Creative Narrative
OR
Personal Narrative
Designed to help students enjoy learning the craft of writing, this workshop will have your students painting pictures with words and at the same time take the stress out of assess. With an emphasis on personal and fictional narrative, and creative writing, these fun, interactive, hands-on activities will put your students on the “write track” for the statewide writing assessment.
Creative Narrative (topics covered)
My popular “Write On!” workshop, includes a story glove and the five parts of a story which I explain in detail and with examples:
Designed to help students enjoy learning the craft of writing, this workshop will have your students painting pictures with words. At the same time, take the stress out of assessment. With an emphasis on fictional narrative and creative writing, these fun, interactive hands-on activities will put your students on the “write track” for the statewide writing assessment test.
1) Hook (students will write a 2-3 sentence hook)
a) Setting/Time
2) Problem
a) Conflict
b) Challenge
c) Something out of the ordinary
3) Plot/Action
4) Solution/Climax
5) Wrap Up/Ending
The above is the framework or skeleton of your story. Now it’s time to put some flesh on it. I share tips and techniques and have several hands-on, interactive exercises:
Vivid Verbs and Colorful Words
1) Strong verb activity (includes a punching bag and gloves and two student contenders
2) Metaphors/Similes (guessing game)
3) Show DON’T Tell (participants have to act out feelings (Ex. Physically hurt, frightened, angry, etc.
4) Onomatopoeia (listen for the sound in the poem)
5) Hyperbole (poem)
6) Fire Up the Senses! (students close their eyes and hear, taste, smell, feel (tactile), and see in their mind different phrases.
7) Emotions/Reactions/Feelings
8) Dialogue/Dialogue Tags
Fee: $250 Time: 1 hour
Revisions (“words to avoid” song)
Students will then revise their hook with what they have learned.
Personal Narrative (topics covered)
Personal Narrative Organizer
1) hook sentence(s)
2) setting/time
3) lead events/main event/subsequent events
4) wrap-up/take away
See the creative narrative above for all other topics covered.
Fee: $250 Time: 1 hour
* Artist in Residency is 3-5 days of in-depth writing – Programs/prices vary.
Please call for details. (404) 642-8949*
Potpourri of Poetry!
Workshop + Printable Handouts
Tired of hearing that collective groooooan when you announce to your students you’re starting a poetry unit?
Don’t despair!
Creating poetry can be fun, challenging, AND enjoyable for both students and teachers.
“And they thought they were just having fun!” is Diane’s theme as she shares stories, poems, and more.