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Frank Glew -- Author
and Self-Publisher
Section 3: Classroom
Presentations
"The most earth-friendly resource ever discovered to
warm heart and home is the spontanious smile of a child reading."
Frank Glew
Author Presentations - Frank Glew
2007
Reading gives you wings.
We can never overemphasize the importance of reading to
children. The best reward for writing books is presenting and
engaging
children into a story. I prefer to interact with children by rotating them through the
library 2-3 classes at a time (45-50 min.) according to their grade level.
I find it far more meaningful to present to smaller groups according to
their curriculum expectations. The library setting promotes a
positive atmosphere for reading. I use a variety of props and AV
equipment. All books are on overheads and DVD's to allow students to easily see the story and
other background materials. I bring samples of the real
illustrations from the books to encourage artistic students. All presentations have an important
environmental message as well as the fostering of universal values. Literacy expectations are a priority.
I present 2 books at each session. Each book is related to the Ontario Curriculum
Expectations and has a teacher's guide to go with it. With grades 4-6, I
emphasize more creativity, book analysis, writing and publishing skills. Books are for sale at a student
25% discount. An order form is
available for your convenience. If you are interested in the sale
of my primary picture books, please let me know.
I present at "Reading for the Love of It". (2005,
2006, 2007, 2008)
I charge a fee of $250 for a half day, plus GST and a
traveling fee ($50) and accommodation fee ($100) if needed, for outside
of Waterloo County. One half day includes 2 presentations.
A full day presentation costs $450, plus applicable GST, traveling and
accommodation expenses. A full day may include 4 presentations.
Additional presentations will be done if needed at no extra cost. Profits
go to donating books to school boards like yours. So far, profits have
been used
to donate over $70,000 of books to public and separate schools in Ontario
from Windsor to Ottawa. I have many references if wanted.
The seven elements of writing can be emphasized to meet
school needs. (Ideas/Content, Organization, Voice, Word Choice,
Sentence Fluency, Convention, Presentation) The seven elements
were considered in creating each of the author's books.
I draw on
nature and animals as my vehicle to create interest for both boys and
girls. All ideas for my stories come from simple observations of
people and nature. Other than the real thing, using literature is
the most important way to reach primary children when teaching
diffiucult science concepts, character education and writing expections.
Science Content -
Nature, Animals, Values, Environment, Humour
JK-SK - Explorations-care
for the natural world, living and non living, observation, positive
attitude, habitats, care for others and other animals
Grade 1 - Characteristics of Living Things-basic needs,
movement, behaviour, observation, classification, survival, adaptations, a
healthy environment
Grade 2 - Growth and Changes in Animals-similarities and
differences, adaptations, behaviour, life processes, identification, life
cycles, classification, survival, ways humans can help, care
Grade 3 - Growth and Changes-basic needs, source
of food and shelter, plants, trees
Grade 4 - Habitats and Communities-basic needs,
habitat, classification, food chains, migration, adaptations, human
effects, animals and humans, identification, niche
Habitats of the Mind-The core environmental
values are to promote and foster respect and responsibility for all life
and habitat including humans. All stories have an environmental message.
Books I
read two of these books during each presentation.
That Chickadee Feeling. (JK-4)
2001, 2005, $10
This story uses the Black-capped Chickadee and
natural community to teach many science
concepts such as habitat, species, community, food chains, food
pyramids, carnivore, herbivore, omnivore, niche, classification, care of
wildlife. It uses the story to give children the wonderful, magic
experience of feeding a bird out of their hand. It
promotes a special bond with nature, parent and child. It teaches the
identification of 27 local winter birds. This brings about a
special bonding with parent, child and nature. The book has been
a best seller for 4 years and was given a 5 star rating by the
Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario. The Ministry of Education
uses it for "Train the Trainer" for Jr. and Primary
workshops because it includes all seven literacy traits.
Ce Frisson
de mesange 2002, 2006 French Version of That Chickadee Feeling $15
When I Grow Up I Want To Be Just Like My Dog.
(K-3) 2002, $10 - 5 star book
All of us have been asked what we want to be when we grow up.
But, at
a young age none of us really know. This young boy wants to
be like his dog because of the many good characteristics dogs
possess such as unconditional love, loyalty, friendship, forgiveness etc. This humorous,
easy-read book written in rich rhyme, can be the
basis of teaching many science concepts using the dog as the subject. It begs the question: "What kind of person do
I want to be when I grow up?" This book has been a best
seller for 6 years. It is an easy read book for JK/SK-grade 2.
Butterfly Wishes. (2-4) 2003,
$10 - best seller
The seasonal migration of the MOnarch Butterfly is a wonder of the
world that all Canadians should know about. Beginning in Ontario
and flying all the way to Mexico is no small feat for an insect. The story is fictitious, but
is filled with true facts
about the life cycle and the long journey South to Mexico and back.
It shows that it is not the same Monarch that comes back to Canada each
year. The story line has a strong altruistic values component to it that teaches
giving and caring for others. It was given a 5 star rating from the
Elementary Teacher's Federation of Ontario.
Samuel's Most Important Message. (2-4)
2005, $10 - 5 star book (ETFO)
This is an excellent story for teaching the definition of habitat. It uses the turtle, which is the native symbol of our
earth, to teach the importance of looking after the earth, not only
for ourselves, but also for the sake of future generations. It shows
how a very young turtle, Samuel, has the power to change his world. It
is based on a true experience. The story line is fictitious but
the animals and plants in the setting are real. Idea, Voice and
Organization are very strong in this story.
I Need a Hug. (JK-4) 2006, $10
Saphira,
who had never had a hug in 2007 years, cleverly learns how to wave her
branches magically in the air to create words. She finally
persuades a park visitor to give her that much
needed hug by saying, "I need a hug, I need a hug, I need a hug, hug,
hug", despite the trickster wind who keeps changing her message. Saphira,
a giant Redwood Tree,
teaches children the importance of a caring hug no matter how old or how big you are. The book brings out the many benefits of trees
to humans and other animals through a very humorous but meaningful
story. Without exception, the child within us all craves for that
elusive hug of love and acceptance. This story is very strong for
teaching Idea/Content and Organization.
BOOMer Rules. (JK-4) January
2007, $10
"Jugarump! Jugarump! Our habitat is not a
Dump." Boomer, a gigantic Bullfrog. uses his loud,
humourous, deafening song to become hero of the river. By example, he teaches all his friends how one frog can make
a big difference by creative problem solving. Boomer Rules uses
the unique characteristics of
the endangered Bullfrog to promote interest and to bring out the need
for us to protect our habitat both locally and globally. The book
is a wonderful example for teaching all seven literacy traits especially
- Idea/Content, Organization and Voice.
Many science expectations are
explicitly evident in the story such as food chains, characteristics of
living things, care of our environment and habitat.
Testimony
from a recent presentation - Peel DSB, 2006
Here is a testimony for a wonderful author presentation:
aileen.allore@peelsb.com<aileen.allore@peelsb.com>
Frank Glew came in to present just before March Break.
We had him for an entire day, and it was probably the best author
presentation I've ever heard.
He is such a teacher! Not only
did he display exemplary crowd control and judged beautifully when a
stretch or chant was called for, but all through his presentation he
just threw in incidental learning tips, and seized many, many teachable
moments. He presented to kindergarten through grade three, but
would have been super for older students, too. He came with
story-boards, and could have stressed more of the writing process with
older grades.
He will include the seven literacy traits and apply
them to his books in a practical explicit manner.
Anyone
teaching about environment, or animal adaptations especially birds would
really benefit from having him come to visit. On a practical side,
his costs are very reasonable, and he will provide copies of his books
(one of which, The Chickadee Feeling, is in French) pre-ordered and
signed for students and libraries.
For a Testimony from a Presentation
at Sandhill PS in Kitchener, Ontario by Sue Mark - Principal, 2006, call
(519) 744-4430.
The author was the recipient of
Ontario Nature's (Ont. Federation of Naturalists) Richards Education
Award for his books on nature. June 2006.
The
Richards Education Award recognizes those who are successful in helping
people understand the natural world and become enthusiastic supporters
of conservation and environmental protection. Frank Glew has made,
and continues to make a very significant contribution in the area of
environmental education through his books. His many initiatives
over 3 and a half decades have helped youth and adults understand the
intricacies of nature and become supporters of conservation and
environmental protection. He has fundamentally changed
environmental education by integrating natural heritage and conservation
values into the curriculum. His books and teaching has resulted in
teachers and students employing a caring and nurturing attitude towards
nautre, as opposed to one more traditional approach of dominance over
nature. Respect for all life and habitats became a cornerstone of
his teaching.
Contact the Author Here
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