Angel Boy Art
Special Art by Special Young Artists
Special Art by Special Young Artists
My name is Tim Fortier. I am a children's poet and writer who has a richly entertaining and informative program of poetry to share with the children in your schools.
THE PRIMARY MISSION OF MY PROGRAM IS TO INSPIRE CHILDREN TO WRITE, ESPECIALLY POETRY. IT TRULY WORKS.
Why should you consider a poetry program??
Many reasons.....help children find their voices as writers, poetry often explores emotions or experiences they might not reveal in prose, careful word selection builds vocabulary, boosts confidence, children see the world through new eyes and different ways, and, of course, it's lots of fun!!
My poetry program is targeted at an elementary level audience. Briefly, I introduce myself and talk about how much fun creating poems can be. Then I read a number of poems, many of them original , (usually explaining some background or asking pertinent thoughtful questions about the themes). Next, I involve children directly by allowing them to help me complete a poem using their own ideas and words. I also suggest that as a class they select one poem, or perhaps each student their favorite, and make a drawing when time permits. Finish the program with more original poems and discussion and Q and A or brief writing session if preferable.
Response to the program has been very good. I suggest contacting Ginny Moore, 1st Grade, Norwich, Vermont and e-mail her at ginny.moore@marioncross.org or Mike Kennedy, 3rd Grade, Sunapee Central School, Sunapee NH and mkennedy@sunapee.k12.nh.us Also, Sharon Knapp, 2nd Grade, New London (NH) Elementary sknapp@kearsarge.org and Laura Zentmaier, Grantham (NH) PTO, Laura@RondoMusic.net
I HAVE A SPECIAL FOR SCHOOLS OF UP TO 5 CLASSROOM PROGRAMS OR THREE ASSEMBLY PROGRAMS IN SAME DAY FOR $400 PLUS EXPENSES If you pool with other district schools this could be a great use of enrichment funds! I NOW HAVE A 3 DAY POETRY WORKSHOP FOR $1000 outline available upon request.
ASSEMBLY PROGRAM OUTLINE
In addition to classroom programs I do an assembly program( perfect for entire classes, whole school, or parent night) Classroom program is more interactive and intimate. Obviously, I change some poem content to fit grade level appropriateness. Being a writer, I like descriptions better in this outline but programs are similar but not verbatim. In classroom I like to brainstorm and write a quick poem with kids.
Here is an outline:
I always begin with a thank you to yourself and others responsible for me being there followed by a brief personal introduction.
Next, my definition and outlook on poetry. I use examples of how poetry is all around us (song lyrics, books, greeting cards, and in nature and the world around us)
Then I incorporate poems, many of them original, to illustrate the tools poets use in their craft. I love to begin with Shel Silverstein's "Sick" to illustrate both exaggeration and irony. I have a special item in my "bag of tricks" that I use to emphasize imagination. The use of sensory experience comes to life with my poem, "Summer Night". Volunteers are needed to act out a poem called "Snow Clothes" ( I use this as a halfway stretchy break in classroom) and the alphabet is used to show how poets often take something known and look at it in a different way. I have a great scary poem that requires a few brave students to step forward (this is a huge hit in classroom where I "spook" the whole class) and a wonderful example of how poetry can also be theatre with one hand selected assistant helping wage the epic battle of "T-Rex v.s. Robot Dog". I offer a unique poem that is a tribute to two of my personal heroes and is at the same time a quiz poem for the kids. I close with a brief commentary about education, teachers, and lifelong learning with "Everyone Is A Teacher" then take Q and A.
POETRY WORKSHOP OUTLINE
The topics I cover include but not limited to
1. Choosing subject matter that gets the writer excited
2. Using all five senses to write
3. Powerful word selection (strong and descriptive words)
4. Unleashing and using imagination
5. Use of metaphor, simile, exaggeration and other writing tools
6. Revision of work
7. Drawing inspiration from nature and the world around us
8. Mining and developing new ideas and sources of poems
Specific exercises include writing a poem using all five senses about a specific place and time. I love to use acrostic poems and I have an exercise to build some of these. I talk with the kids about what their passions are and encourage them to write about what they feel strongly about. One exercise involves practicing the "tools" being learned.
Current Monthly Workshop Schedule
September-Explore the magic of poetry while teaching some of the tools writers use. Several super -fun interactive poems get kids very excited.
Older Group- My program, but adds in some more advanced and mature themes that are age-appropriate.
October- Both groups will find a joyride through the poems of the great Shel Silverstein (zany, offbeat, clever, and at times touching material) that will be long remembered.
November- A look into the world of musical lyrics and explore THE POETRY OF MUSIC! Great fun to have your music as a school subject.
Older Group- We will explore more complex ideas and themes that songwriters explore.
December- Both groups will enjoy poems about winter. Half this session will be dedicated to a writing workshop and individual tutoring from myself. My present will include a group choice (subject to my approval) for the topic of January programs.
January- Group choice of topic.
February- Humorous Poems will be the subject for both groups with special emphasis on Seuss, Prelutsky, Sandburg and some of the current children's poets. We will talk about rhythm and rhyming in poetry and also look at how funny pictures contribute to the work.
March- Both groups will enjoy Irish poems and blessings and the unique connection to the land that inspired them. Older group will also touch upon poems written by Irish youth chronicling their difficult lives and experiences.
April- Much poetry is interwoven with themes of spring and we will look at these and also connect our writing to nature. Older group will use New Hampshire poets Frost, Hall, Kenyon, and Kumin to tie in the poetry of place.
May- Make up date OR reserve for one more session because you love my programs!!!!
Contact Information
I can be reached at (603) 763-9645 and my e-mail address is stfortier@tds.net My fee schedule is extremely reasonable compared to most authors/programs. I have an artist profile at matchbook.org .
THE PRIMARY MISSION OF MY PROGRAM IS TO INSPIRE CHILDREN TO WRITE, ESPECIALLY POETRY. IT TRULY WORKS.
Why should you consider a poetry program??
Many reasons.....help children find their voices as writers, poetry often explores emotions or experiences they might not reveal in prose, careful word selection builds vocabulary, boosts confidence, children see the world through new eyes and different ways, and, of course, it's lots of fun!!
My poetry program is targeted at an elementary level audience. Briefly, I introduce myself and talk about how much fun creating poems can be. Then I read a number of poems, many of them original , (usually explaining some background or asking pertinent thoughtful questions about the themes). Next, I involve children directly by allowing them to help me complete a poem using their own ideas and words. I also suggest that as a class they select one poem, or perhaps each student their favorite, and make a drawing when time permits. Finish the program with more original poems and discussion and Q and A or brief writing session if preferable.
Response to the program has been very good. I suggest contacting Ginny Moore, 1st Grade, Norwich, Vermont and e-mail her at ginny.moore@marioncross.org or Mike Kennedy, 3rd Grade, Sunapee Central School, Sunapee NH and mkennedy@sunapee.k12.nh.us Also, Sharon Knapp, 2nd Grade, New London (NH) Elementary sknapp@kearsarge.org and Laura Zentmaier, Grantham (NH) PTO, Laura@RondoMusic.net
I HAVE A SPECIAL FOR SCHOOLS OF UP TO 5 CLASSROOM PROGRAMS OR THREE ASSEMBLY PROGRAMS IN SAME DAY FOR $400 PLUS EXPENSES If you pool with other district schools this could be a great use of enrichment funds! I NOW HAVE A 3 DAY POETRY WORKSHOP FOR $1000 outline available upon request.
ASSEMBLY PROGRAM OUTLINE
In addition to classroom programs I do an assembly program( perfect for entire classes, whole school, or parent night) Classroom program is more interactive and intimate. Obviously, I change some poem content to fit grade level appropriateness. Being a writer, I like descriptions better in this outline but programs are similar but not verbatim. In classroom I like to brainstorm and write a quick poem with kids.
Here is an outline:
I always begin with a thank you to yourself and others responsible for me being there followed by a brief personal introduction.
Next, my definition and outlook on poetry. I use examples of how poetry is all around us (song lyrics, books, greeting cards, and in nature and the world around us)
Then I incorporate poems, many of them original, to illustrate the tools poets use in their craft. I love to begin with Shel Silverstein's "Sick" to illustrate both exaggeration and irony. I have a special item in my "bag of tricks" that I use to emphasize imagination. The use of sensory experience comes to life with my poem, "Summer Night". Volunteers are needed to act out a poem called "Snow Clothes" ( I use this as a halfway stretchy break in classroom) and the alphabet is used to show how poets often take something known and look at it in a different way. I have a great scary poem that requires a few brave students to step forward (this is a huge hit in classroom where I "spook" the whole class) and a wonderful example of how poetry can also be theatre with one hand selected assistant helping wage the epic battle of "T-Rex v.s. Robot Dog". I offer a unique poem that is a tribute to two of my personal heroes and is at the same time a quiz poem for the kids. I close with a brief commentary about education, teachers, and lifelong learning with "Everyone Is A Teacher" then take Q and A.
POETRY WORKSHOP OUTLINE
The topics I cover include but not limited to
1. Choosing subject matter that gets the writer excited
2. Using all five senses to write
3. Powerful word selection (strong and descriptive words)
4. Unleashing and using imagination
5. Use of metaphor, simile, exaggeration and other writing tools
6. Revision of work
7. Drawing inspiration from nature and the world around us
8. Mining and developing new ideas and sources of poems
Specific exercises include writing a poem using all five senses about a specific place and time. I love to use acrostic poems and I have an exercise to build some of these. I talk with the kids about what their passions are and encourage them to write about what they feel strongly about. One exercise involves practicing the "tools" being learned.
Current Monthly Workshop Schedule
September-Explore the magic of poetry while teaching some of the tools writers use. Several super -fun interactive poems get kids very excited.
Older Group- My program, but adds in some more advanced and mature themes that are age-appropriate.
October- Both groups will find a joyride through the poems of the great Shel Silverstein (zany, offbeat, clever, and at times touching material) that will be long remembered.
November- A look into the world of musical lyrics and explore THE POETRY OF MUSIC! Great fun to have your music as a school subject.
Older Group- We will explore more complex ideas and themes that songwriters explore.
December- Both groups will enjoy poems about winter. Half this session will be dedicated to a writing workshop and individual tutoring from myself. My present will include a group choice (subject to my approval) for the topic of January programs.
January- Group choice of topic.
February- Humorous Poems will be the subject for both groups with special emphasis on Seuss, Prelutsky, Sandburg and some of the current children's poets. We will talk about rhythm and rhyming in poetry and also look at how funny pictures contribute to the work.
March- Both groups will enjoy Irish poems and blessings and the unique connection to the land that inspired them. Older group will also touch upon poems written by Irish youth chronicling their difficult lives and experiences.
April- Much poetry is interwoven with themes of spring and we will look at these and also connect our writing to nature. Older group will use New Hampshire poets Frost, Hall, Kenyon, and Kumin to tie in the poetry of place.
May- Make up date OR reserve for one more session because you love my programs!!!!
Contact Information
I can be reached at (603) 763-9645 and my e-mail address is stfortier@tds.net My fee schedule is extremely reasonable compared to most authors/programs. I have an artist profile at matchbook.org .
Writing Workshops for Schools and Groups with Tim Fortier
