Been there, done that, back home

Hi everyone,

I had a fine time last week at two elementary schools. The first was at Crest Ridge in Centerview, Missouri where I spoke to the student body seated on the bleachers in the gym: kindergartners at far left, 6th graders at far right. I got plenty of exercise hurrying back and forth keeping everyone interested and involved. My thanks to Angela Danley, Associate Professor, School of Teaching and Learning, University of Central Missouri, for writing the grant that got me there and speech teacher Donna Palmer for facilitating my family night appearance last December as well as this visit. It’s a good school with a wonderful culture. Kudos to the principal, teachers, and staff for all they do.

The second school was Leawood Elementary in Blue Valley, Kansas. My thanks to librarian Kathy Smith for writing that grant. In separate groups I spoke with 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders. The students are involved in a writing workshop called PBL (Project Based Learning) to learn how to write narrative stories that include a personal memory. I used some of the content from the book I’m now writing with Mary Jo Fresch so that was a timely coincidence. I even recruited 3rd grade teacher Sarah Ward to participate in our project by field testing some of our lesson with her kids and sharing the results.

Other school visits are coming up, scattered throughout the year far enough apart that I can enjoy being with kids but maintain a reasonable work schedule. For me that’s the best way. I applaud my friends who routinely visit dozens or schools each year. We’re all wound a little differently and I’m more of a home body.

A nice recommendation

Hi everyone,

I hope you won’t mind today’s post. It’s purely promotional. The original idea for having a blog was to promote my work in one fashion or another. Get more gigs. Sell more books. I’m basically a soft sell guy but now and then when a new book comes out or something nice happens I take advantage of this space to talk about it.

I did a school visit last month in Kirksville, Missouri and received this note from Robyn Pasa, the librarian. I don’t do as many school visits as I used to, but I like to visit a few schools each year to stay in front of kids. If you know of anyone who might find this recommendation useful, I hope you’ll be kind enough to pass it on. Otherwise, pour another cup of coffee and skip to someone else’s blog today. Thanks.

April 27, 2018

To Whom It May Concern:

Kirksville Primary School hosted David L. Harrison as a guest author as part of our Fine Arts Program on April 16, 2018. I recommend him as a visiting author to your school.

April 16, 2018 was a jam-packed day of laughter, listening, reading, writing, and sharing. Mr. Harrison did a marvelous job of keeping our 560 Kindergarten through Second graders engaged and encouraged as authors themselves.

David told stories, shared some of his poetry, along with where he finds his ideas and what he does with them as a writer in the introductory session. He then met with each grade level, two sessions each, and gave them an ‘assignment’ to work on for the last session of the day ‘Student Sharing’.

Our students were up for the challenge and felt validated by Mr. Harrison’s instructions and feedback, as each grade had several readers of poems, narratives and offered sound effects to help tell a story.

Mr. Harrison is articulate, humorous, and very knowledgeable in the craft of writing, as an author and educator of educators. David is very timely in his responses, clear in what he could offer our school, and what he needed in return from us to ensure a successful day for everyone. My administrator and faculty had high praise for David Harrison and the day we shared with him. I feel you will enjoy and appreciate the time you spend in his company.

Robyn Pasa
Librarian

How friendships begin

Hi everyone,

Today I’m looking forward to the arrival of our friend Julie Strickland, and her friend Harvey, from Moultrie, Georgia. A number of years ago Julie, then a librarian, facilitated my visit to her school in Funston. I could tell by the way Julie went about making arrangements, preparing students and teachers, and keeping me informed at each step that I was in the hands of someone I could trust.

On the way to Moultrie we would be passing through Thomasville, Georgia, and I knew that Bailey White lived in that area. I loved her voice on public radio and read her books, Mama Makes Up Her Mind and Good Year for Plums, more than once. I got in touch with Bailey to see if I might stop by to say hello but she was to be in another community building a wheelchair ramp to the porch of an aunt.

So on we went to Moultrie and what turned out to be a delightful visit with kids and teachers at Funston Elementary School. It was also how our friendship began. Mostly through e-mail but also with occasional visits at conferences and once at a restaurant where we arranged to meet, Sandy and I have remained in touch with Julie and followed her adventures as a college teacher, elementary school volunteer, tutor, potter, tennis player, gardener, loving caregiver to her sister until the end, and so much more.

When I want an opinion I can trust, Julie is always on my list. She never lets me down. I’m excited that she’s coming today, even if it meant that my M.O.W. made me dust and vacuum and clean up my mess yesterday.

Dear Bissett Students

Hi everyone,

Yesterday I had the pleasure of meeting all the students at Bissett Elementary School and I had a fine time. Boys and girls, if you are reading this post, I want to thank you for being so nice to me. You, your teachers, your librarian, your reading coach, your principal, and everyone else I met made me feel welcome. Thank you for your good questions too. You really made me think!

Your friend,

David

Harrison Elementary

BULLETIN: Guess what they let me do at David Harrison Elementary? They let me lead the chant!!!! And however I said it, the kids would say it that way too. It was just the coolest thing ever. Wow! Thank you Mrs. McQuarry and 4th graders for a wonderful time.

Hi everyone,

Mrs. Roxie McQuarry, an excellent 4th grade teacher at David Harrison Elementary, invited me back this year to talk to her kids about writing and poetry and Word of the Month. I’m getting my things together now to drive to the school and, as always, I can feel the pleasure already. Maybe if I’m good today they’ll recite the school chant. I’m always blown away when I hear, “Harrison Huskies, ruff ruff!” Of course there’s a rhythm to it and you have to be there to get the full flavor.

David