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“A Secret Penny–The Book and The Magic Bowl” Complete Workshop Outline-Click Here

“Writing Is Fun” Complete Workshop Outline – Click Here

“A Secret Penny–The Book and The Magic Bowl” School Presentation

Objective: To use “A Secret Penny” story to present a positive approach to dealing with bullying by strengthening the concepts of confidence, cooperation, and kindness.

Presentation Method: Classroom Workshop

Appropriate Grade Levels:

Grades 1-2 Used as an introduction to bullying and the concepts of confidence, cooperation and kindness.

Grades 3-6 Used as a review and reinforcement of the above. (The children in “A Secret Penny” story are ages 8 and 12.)

Story Summary: The Fireflies’ lights are going out because of the unkind ways children are treating each other. J.S. Firefly has been chosen to solve the mystery of the secret pennies; pennies that have the ability to save the fireflies and restore kindness to the world. As the children help Firefly with his mission, they learn about confidence, cooperation and kindness.

Meeting Objective: Show “A Secret Penny” video trailer followed by an introduction to the characters and a short reading from Chapter 2—“Calling All Fireflies.” (This chapter outlines the problem the fireflies are facing, and tells why J.S. Firefly has been chosen to save them.) Example reading, Chief Musarin speaking to Firefly: “You know that our lights are not charging anymore because children and adults continue being unhappy and no longer send out good energy. If nothing changes, our lights will go out forever and darkness will spread throughout earth. Soon all joy will be gone and only a cold, dark, sad world will remain.” (Video can be seen below.)

Discussion: Confidence: Sample Questions: What does confidence mean? How does it feel to feel confident? Cooperation: Give me other words that that mean the same. Example: Working together, teamwork, etc. Talk about why cooperation is important. Kindness: Discussion on bullying. Why it’s wrong, how it makes children feel, what to do if it happens to you or you see it happening to someone. Ideas on how you can be kind to yourself and others.

Conclusion: Question and answer period with children. Each child will be given a plastic penny case and an explanation about how hiding the penny they have been given for someone else to find helps Firefly with his mission. Then they can go to the Secret Penny website (COPPA law requires a parent to register children under 13) where they will get positive messages from J.S. Firefly, follow their penny and leave a good message for the next person who finds their penny. Children will also be given a bookmark containing a ”kindness message” from Firefly.

Follow-up: Writing assignment–choose one of the three topics (Confidence, cooperation or kindness/bullying) to write about. (I will provide handout)

Benefit to student: Reinforces the topic and offers writing and sharing session. If teacher forwards writing to me, I will put children’s responses in my, “Good News Gazette” newsletter. (Only first name, last initial, grade and school will appear.) Additional Benefit: Children have the excitement of reading/sharing their responses on-line. Benefit to teacher: Allows further classroom discussion.

COST: $100 per 25-student class (minimum three-class requirement)

ADDITIONAL CLASSES: $75.00

CONTACT: Jean Summit-Riker (A Secret Penny, LLC.)

TELEPHONE: (631) 289-1371

EMAIL ADDRESS: jean@asecretpenny.com

WEBSITE: www.asecretpenny.com

I will provide all handouts, penny cases and bookmarks.

One “A Secret Penny” book will be donated to the school library.

Below is a copy of the follow-up writing assignment,

the plastic penny case and the bookmark that will be given to each student

Writing is Fun! (School Presentation)

Objective: To give students the opportunity to experience writing through an interesting, interactive, fun approach.

Presentation Method: Workshop

Appropriate Grade Levels:

3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

Meeting Objective:

1. An interactive discussion on the following topics:

a. Different book genres, and the type of books I have written.
Fiction, non-fiction, etc.

b. How everyone needs to write; not just authors.

c. Writing is not only for writers. Example of some of the reasons we have to write.

2. Importance of good English, spelling, organizational skills, and how to communicate clearly with your reader.

a. Importance of good spelling and how a misspelled word can change the meaning of what you write.

b. Discussion of homonyms and synonyms as well as the use of a thesaurus.

c. Organizational Skills: Creating an outline and keeping notes. How to create a timeline and clarity for the reader.

d. Learn to type.

3. Imagination—The place where all the magic happens, and your most important skill.

a. What to do when you think you can’t write? Writers’ block or writers’ resistance?

b. Creating a “mind story.” It’s time to make some magic. Why a “mind story” is helpful and how to do it.

4. A short reading from Jean Summit-Riker’s new book–“A Secret Penny–The Book and The Magic Bowl.

Conclusion:

Benefits to students: Heightens their awareness that writing is required throughout their life whether in business or in everyday interaction.

Benefits to teacher: A follow-up writing assignment that reviews and reinforces the concepts presented. (Handout Provided)

Follow-up: I will put sections of students’ writing in my “Good News” Gazette newsletter on my website: www.asecretpenny.com, if the teacher forwards them to me. (Only first name, last initial, grade and school will appear.)