So, you're considering bringing a children's author to your school. It can be an extremely rewarding event for both students and teachers. The best author visits have positive effects on your school long after the actual visit.
Although I hope that you decide to invite me to your school, my primary concern is that your school gets the most out of an author visit. These web pages will explain what types of presentations and services I provide. They also contains many of the planning materials you will need to prepare for a visit if you do decide to invite me to your school.
You will find examples of my poetry sprinkled throughout the first section. You will also find praise from other teachers who have seen my presentations. After reading through these pages, you will know what I can provide for your students. You will know what your school will receive before, during, and after my visit. You will know if I am the right author to visit your school.
I hope you find these pages useful. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or suggestions. I look forward to hearing from you.
Scary Costume
With an evil eye that can stop you cold,
and a bulbous warty nose,
a furrowed brow, a nasty scowl,
and old out-dated clothes,
my costume is the scariest
the world has ever seen.
I'm not an ogre, ghost, or ghoul;
I'm a teacher for Halloween.
Appears in MOXIE DAY and Family
and Rolling in the Aisles
Copyright 2002 Robert Pottle
Chapter 2 Ten Reasons to Invite Robert Pottle to Your School
2.1 Your school will be visited by a certified teacher.
If you've worked in a school long enough, you've had the unpleasant experience of seeing a presenter who, while an expert in his or her field, was either unable to relate to the students or got them so wound up it took you the rest of the week to get them back under control. Robert is a certified teacher in the state of Maine with eleven years of experience in first grade. He will engage, inspire, and educate children. He will build enthusiasm while maintaining an appropriate level of control.
"Being a teacher himself, Robert Pottle certainly knows how to hold the attention of his audience. He makes poetry understandable and fun for `kids' of all ages. My students were all ready to participate and `act out' a poem during the workshop session by grade level."
-Steven F. Douglas - Grade 5 Teacher, Leroy H. Smith School
2.2 Your school will be visited by a professional.
Robert is not a "flaky artist." He conducts himself in a professional manner. From your first contact, to the visit, to post-visit follow-up, he will be courteous, on time, and organized. If something does go wrong, he will go out of his way to make it right.
The Artist
From drawing blue bananas,
my marker has gone dry.
I'll use my mouth to moisten it
and give another try.
My marker's working better now.
And wow, I love the taste.
It's surprisingly more flavorful
than crayons, chalk, or paste!
Katie starts to giggle.
I ask, "What's wrong with you?"
She points at me, laughs, and says,
"Your tongue is colored blue!"
My tongue is blue! How cool is that?
I'm artistic and it shows.
I grab a green, open it,
and color on my nose.
Then with purple, pink, and gray,
yellow, brown, and red,
I color ears and eyes and teeth,
I'm Mrs. Rainbow Head!
Miss Libby looks and throws a fit:
"Why can't you just be good?"
It's hard to be an artist
when you're so misunderstood.
From MOXIE DAY and Family
Copyright 2002 Robert Pottle
2.3 Your school will come down with a contagious enthusiasm for poetry.
This is perhaps the greatest gift Robert can give to your school. You know that if students are excited about a topic, then learning is so much easier. Students spend much of Robert's performance laughing. This helps to develop a positive attitude about poetry. When your students want to write their own poems, it is easier to teach them about poetry. Robert will create an enthusiasm for poetry that teachers can capitalize upon long after his visit.
"No Foolin'
His April first visit was such a blast!
We wanted his visit to last and last.
His poems and hats we found quite funny;
We giggled a lot and had a sore tummy. "
-Mrs. Yeaton and her Third Grade Class - Cape Cod Hill School
2.4 Your school will have materials to make planning a successful school visit as simple as possible.
You know all too well about the demands placed on teachers today. These demands seem to increase every year. A successful school visit does require planning and advanced preparation. You will be provided with a checklist and other materials to make the planning efficient yet effective.
2.5 Your school will be visited by an experienced presenter.
Robert has performed numerous presentations, from hilarious poetry performances for students to idea-filled workshops for teachers, from inspiring keynote addresses to humorous small group literacy nights. His laugh and learn philosophy will shine under a variety of conditions and he can adapt to unforeseen circumstances.
"Robert Pottle's presentation and style were wonderful. He had the children engaged and laughing with his enthusiasm and animation. All kids and teachers can relate to his poems."
-Jackie Boothby - Second Grade Teacher, Ella Lewis School
2.6 Your school will have a custom-designed program.
Robert offers a variety of presentations. Whether your goal is to entertain, enlighten, or inspire, your school will be assisted in creating a program that is custom-made to fit the unique needs of your school. You are not limited to a set number of performances or workshops per day. Robert will be active at your school from the time the students arrive until the buses leave in the afternoon.
The Bus
Sixty kids and one adult,
you gotta love those odds.
The perfect place for pulling pranks
and throwing paper wads.
Hank is standing on his head.
Billy's playing ball.
Peter wet his pants again.
Tasha pushes Paul.
Steven steals. Kevin cries.
Millicent is missing.
Katie punched her cousin Keith.
Ben and Jen are kissing.
Me, I'm taking lots of notes
on public transportation.
I think the bus provides me with
the finest education.
Appears in MOXIE DAY the Prankster
and If Kids Ruled the School
Copyright 2004 Robert Pottle
2.7 Your school will be charged a reasonable rate.
School funding can be tight. Not only does Robert offer a reasonable rate for an author visit, but he also provides ideas and tools, so your school can make a visit even more affordable.
2.8 Your school will get ideas to help generate pre-visit excitement.
All teachers have seen how excited students can get about rock bands, video games, and television shows. Wouldn't it be nice if some of that enthusiasm were focused on reading and writing? You will get ideas for how to generate excitement in your school before Robert's visit.
"Robert Pottle's poetry draws you in, opens up your imagination, and makes you laugh!"
-Rick Charette - Children's musician and author of "I Love Mud"
2.9 Your school will get tools to capitalize on the enthusiasm after Robert's visit.
After Robert's visit, your school will have poetry books and activities to help you capitalize on the students' enthusiasm. Your school will even have a web site designed to assist in keeping that enthusiasm going long after Robert's visit.
"Mr. Pottle was very engaging for all classes from K - 6. He presented wonderful poetry for sharing. Then in separate workshops was able to show students how a poem was thought of, worked through, and developed. He was inspiring to students and teachers alike!"
-Myrna J. Robinson - Writing Teacher, Grades 4, 5, and 6, Cape Cod Hill School
2.10 Your school will get discounts on current and future books by Robert.
Your school will receive a 30% discount from Blue Lobster Press on all books ordered before Robert's visit. You may either pass this savings on to the students or sell the books at full price to help defray the cost of the school visit. For books ordered after Robert's visit, your school will get $1.00 off the cover price of each book by Robert Pottle, AND Blue Lobster Press will donate an additional $1.00 to the fund-raising organization of the school's choice (such as a parent-teacher organization).
2.11 You will have direct contact with Robert Pottle.
Okay, this makes eleven, but Robert likes to over-deliver. You will have Robert's phone number and e-mail address. You will not have to deal with an agent or an assistant. You can deal directly with Robert.
Robert performs some of his funniest poems for your students in large group settings. Afterward your students are excited about poetry and eager to learn more. Robert then presents small group workshops relating to poetry.
Your students get pumped up about poetry from Robert's large group performance of his funniest poems. Your students then learn how to write different forms of poetry in class-sized groups. After the poems have gone through several revisions, a professionally bound and typeset book will be made. Your students then celebrate their new book by performing their newly published poems in a "poets night" setting. There is a separate fee structure for this presentation.
I've Been Working on My Homework
(Sung to: I've Been Working on the Railroad)
I've been working on my homework
all the live long day.
I've been working on my homework
which I'd like to throw away.
"What on earth's a preposition?"
"Seventeen multiplied by four?"
"Why's a platypus a mammal?"
Can't take this no more!
Teacher, I don't know.
Wish that you would go
and bother someone else today. I say,
teacher, I don't know.
Wish that you would go
and bother someone else today.
Someone knows the capital of China.
Someone knows the answer but I don't know. Oh -
Someone knows about Forty-Niners.
Someone does, but I don't know. Oh no.
A - E - I - O - U.
A - E - I - O - U - O - U. Oh -
A - E - I - O - U.
"Y" can be a vowel too, it's true.
Copyright 2004 Robert Pottle
Included with all school presentations of a full day or more, at no additional charge:
4.1 A web site designed specifically for your school
Your web site will keep you and the students up to date with Robert's latest poetry. It will also provide links to poetry activities and lessons both from Robert's own site and other great sites on the web. Your school's web site will also offer books at $1.00 off the cover price, AND Blue Lobster Press will donate $1.00 per book ordered to the fund-raising organization of your choice (parent-teacher organization, for example).
Your school will be given a package of free books by Robert Pottle before his visit. These books can be used to generate excitement about the upcoming visit and familiarize students with Robert's poetry before his visit. After his visit, these books can be added to your school's library.
Robert generates a great enthusiasm for poetry in schools. The best way to capitalize on that enthusiasm is to get books into the children's hands. A book signed by the author is a special treat for children that will be treasured for years and may even inspire a love of reading.
Note from Robert:
Every now and then I am hired by a school that is reluctant to sell books. I usually ask these schools: What is your reason for bringing an author to your school? The answer always boils down to this: To promote literacy.
To promote literacy is my goal also. In order to inspire a love of reading in children, we have to give children access to books, not just books in the library and classroom, but books that the children may own and treasure.
If students are not allowed to have their own copies of an author's books after a visit, the author's role in your school is reduced to that of entertainer or guest speaker. Let me help you create life-long readers. Here is a letter I received from a parent after a school visit.
"Mr. Pottle,
I had to take just a moment of your time to say thank you. I have twin daughters, and one of my daughters has learning disabilities (ADHD, LD, and OCD) and reading is very hard and frustrating for her. Last month she brought home your book Maine: The Way Life Is, and she read the book over and over. Today she came home from school and told me she got to meet you, and she had a copy of Moxie Day and Family. Keep in mind that when my daughter normally reads she will pick up a book, any book, and read 1-5 pages then put the book down, but not with your books. My 10-year-old read me EVERY poem in Moxie Day and Family today and wanted to do it again but it was bed time. Again, thank you for your wonderfully entertaining books. You are so keyed into what keeps the attention and imagination of children. I hope to see more books in the future. Thank you again for taking the time for the children."
-C. MacLeod - parent
In addition to numerous school visits, Robert Pottle has performed at the following events:
Keynote Speaker for State of Maine Gear-Up Program at the Univ. of ME at Machias and the Univ. of ME at Presque Isle.
Featured Workshop Presenter at the annual State of Maine Migrant Conference.
Keynote Speaker and Presenter at the Aroostook County's Young Authors' Institute.
Featured Faculty and "In Concert Storyteller" at the 22nd annual In Celebration of Children's Literature Conference.
Yellow Spotted Salamander
I'm a yellow spotted salamander
underneath a stump.
Although I'm an amphibian
I cannot croak or jump.
Under leaves or fallen limbs
is where I can be found.
I sometimes make myself at home
in burrows underground.
Spiders, slugs, and crunchy bugs
are what I like to eat.
A fat and juicy earthworm
is an extra special treat.
If you are disgusted
by my creepy crawly diet,
here is my advice to you:
don't knock it till you try it.
From MAINE: The Way Wildlife Should Be
Copyright 2004 Robert Pottle
The remainder of this book contains the planning materials for a school visit. If you have not yet booked a school visit, please look through these materials. They are provided to make a terrific school visit easy to plan.
If you would like to book a school visit, please check Robert's on-line calendar to see if the date you want is available. Then use the contact information found on the backcover to schedule a visit.
On-line calendar:www.robertpottle.com/visits/calendar/calendar.php
November 1st
Dial China on the phone.
Steal your brother's ice cream cone;
use the microwave to boil it.
Flush the car keys down the toilet.
Prance and dance. Skip and dip.
Tango, fandango, disco, flip.
Eat bananas. Eat the peels.
Bark like twenty singing seals.
Sing out silly, loud and long.
Sing a hard rock opera song.
To terrorize your dads and moms,
eat eighty super-sugar-bombs!
From MOXIE DAY and Family
Copyright 2002 Robert Pottle
T minus 60 days and counting.
___ Contract signed and returned.
The contract makes sure we are all talking about the same date, place, etc.
___ Travel, lodging, and car rental arrangements have been made.
Some schools prefer to make all travel, lodging, and rental arrangements themselves because they can sometimes get discounted rates. Other schools prefer for me to make the travel arrangements and invoice the school. In either case, travel, lodging, and rental should be secured by now.
___ Draft of schedule for the day of the visit has been sent to me.
Look at the Menu of the presentations I can provide then use Scheduling the Day to help fit the presentations into your school day. Don't forget to send me a copy of your schedule. If I notice any trouble spots in the schedule, I can let you know well in advance of my visit.
___ Arrange how books are to be purchased.
Blue Lobster Press has several ways that schools may order books at a discount. Confirm how you wish to order books. See Buying Books.
T minus 30 days and counting.
___ Distribute copies of Teacher's Information to all teachers.
Getting students to know about me and my writing in advance is crucial to a successful author visit.
___ Contact local media (television, radio, newspaper) about my visit.
Having the local media announce my upcoming visit helps build excitement and community support.
___ Each week, print an announcement about my visit in the school's newsletter.
T minus 25 days and counting.
___ Send home student book orders.
A Student Book Order will be provided. Copy and distribute this to all students.
___ Decide on location for my large group presentations.
Gymnasiums, cafeterias, or libraries are typical locations for my large group presentations. Make sure the location is quiet, and any loud air handlers or heating systems can be turned off during my performances.
T minus 15 days and counting.
___ Send in book order information.
The student book orders should all be returned by now. Blue Lobster Press will need to know how many books to ship at least fifteen days in advance of my visit. E-mail the quantities needed of each title to: books@bluelobsterpress.com
T minus 10 days and counting.
___ Invite local media.
I have had newspaper and television reporters at my performances. Having the media's cameras at the performance helps to impress upon the students how special an author visit is, and it also gives your school some good press.
T minus 5 days and counting.
___ Make lunch arrangements.
I put a tremendous amount of energy into my performances. Lunch is a time for me to recharge my batteries. A lunch in the teachers' lounge or at a local restaurant would be wonderful. I have no special dietary requirements.
___ Decide who will introduce me.
Large group presentations start with someone introducing me. Some schools may decide to hold a contest for students to decide who does the introduction. Other schools choose an administrator or staff member to handle the introduction. A Sample Introduction can be provided, but I highly encourage you to get creative. A school I recently visited had students write poems to introduce me. That made for a great start to my performance.
___ Have an overhead projector ready.
If I am doing classroom visits in grades two and up, I sometimes need an overhead projector and screen to use.
T minus 1 day and counting.
___ Remind local media of the author visit.
___ Arrange a tour guide.
I typically arrive at a school 45 - 60 minutes before my first performance. Having someone to show me around is a great help.
Lift off!
___ Have beverages ready.
I need to have a cup of water available during my performance or else I lose my voice. I also enjoy a cup of tea in the morning.
In the aftermath.
___ Thank all of those who helped make the visit a success.
___ Distribute any media coverage to the teachers, so they may share with the students.
___ Try to keep poetry books on the library shelves.
Laugh Along Poetry - (preK - 6) 45 min. Given to large groups frequently at schools, libraries, and festivals. Robert dramatically performs his hilarious poetry and stories.
Wicked Good Poetry - (preK - 6) 45 min. Given to large groups frequently at schools, libraries, and festivals. Similar to the Laugh Along Poetry performance, with more of a Maine focus.
The Bus - (3 - 6) 20 min. Ride along and watch the creation of a poem through many revisions to finished poem. Students will learn about Robert's creative process and the revision process.
Small Group Performance - (K - 6) 20 min. Poems are performed in a small group setting, allowing for more interaction and questions.
Act Along - (K - 3) 20 min. Group participation poetry. Students will have fun acting out poems as Robert reads.
Acting Out - (4 - 6) 20 min. Group participation poetry. Students will learn about volume, speaking speed, and movement as they perform various poems.
Behind the Poems - (4 - 6) 20 min. Stories about events that inspired the poems. This presentation assumes that students are familiar with Robert's poetry either through his books or through a poetry performance.
Question and Answer - (3 - 6) 20 min. Students decide the direction of the presentation. If the class has worked in advance to come up with some creative questions, this open format is very memorable and educational for the students.
Write with Robert - (2 - 6) 40 min. Students help Robert write his next poem. Students will be guided through the early stages of idea development for a poem. Students will pick a topic and research it before Robert's visit. Robert will then rely on his class of experts to help him brainstorm ideas, generate rhymes, and begin a poem. Robert will keep the class posted on any progress of the poem after his visit.
Crazy Farm - (K - 1) 20 min. Children will participate in a rhyming exercise that enhances phonemic awareness. The rhymes students come up with will then be used to create a funny fill-in-the-blank rhyming poem.
Haiku - (2 - 6) 20 min. Students will learn how to write a haiku through an animated digital presentation. Robert will then assist the students in writing their own haikus. Students will learn about revision, counting syllables, and the difference between haikus and senryus.
Cinquain - (3 - 6) 20 min. Students will learn how to write a cinquain through an animated digital presentation. Robert will then assist the students in writing their own cinquains. Students will learn about the revision process, counting syllables, and mathematical patterns found in a cinquain.
Clerihew - (4 - 6) 20 min. Students will learn how to write a clerihew through an animated digital presentation. Robert will then assist the students in writing their own clerihews. Students will learn about revision, rhyming, and the appropriate use of humor. Download a FREE sample movie (Quicktime movie - 4.7 MB) of a digital presentation Robert gives to start a writing workshop.
Limerick - (5 - 6) 40 min. Students will learn how to write a limerick through an animated digital presentation. Robert will then assist the students in writing their own limericks. Students will learn about revision, metrical feet, and stressed syllables.
separate fee schedule, call for details
This is an exciting new program. Students learn about the publishing process by doing! From writing, to revising, to editing, to printing, students learn by taking part in the process. In the end, students will have a professionally typeset and bound book of their own poetry.
First, students get pumped up about poetry through poetry performances. Next, students learn how to write various forms of poetry through animated digital presentations (see above for details). Students then learn about and practice the process of revision. When the poems are complete, they are entered into an easy-to-use on-line form. The school will then get a printed "dummy" copy of the book for editing. When the book has been edited, it is sent to Blue Lobster Press who gets the book printed and bound.
additional fees may apply for workshops for educators, call for detailsCrazy About Poetry - Demonstrates how to get students excited about poetry and explains the benefits of doing so.
for schools with a student population over 300
The example schedule below is just that, an example. You will need to adjust the times to meet your school day.
9:00 - 9:40 Youngest third of the school population large group performance
10:00 - 10:40 Middle third of the school population large group performance
11:00 - 11:45 Oldest third of the school population large group performance
12:00 - 1:00 Lunch
1:00 - End of day Book signing
If your school has a student population over 300, I would highly recommend a two day visit, so that I could do some classroom visits. Here is a sample Day 2 schedule.
9:10 - 9:30 Classroom visit or small group presentation
9:40 - 10:00 Classroom visit or small group presentation
10:00 - 10:30 Break
10:30 - 10:50 Classroom visit or small group presentation
11:00 - 11:20 Classroom visit or small group presentation
11:30 - 12:30 Lunch
12:40 - 1:00 Classroom visit or small group presentation
1:10 - 1:30 Classroom visit or small group presentation
1:40 - 2:00 Classroom visit or small group presentation
Scheduling hints:
Schedule 40 minutes for large group presentations.
Plan at least 15 minutes between large group performances for prep time.
Schedule 20 minutes for classroom visits and small group presentations.
Plan at least 10 minutes between classroom visits and small group presentations for prep time.
As a rule of thumb for book signings, schedule one minute per student who is getting a book signed.
for schools with a student population under 300
The example schedule below is just that, an example. You will need to adjust the times to meet your school day.
9:00 - 9:40 Younger half of the school population large group performance
10:00 - 10:40 Older half of the school population large group performance
11:00 - 11:20 Classroom visit or small group presentation
11:30 - 12:30 Lunch
12:30 - 12:50 Classroom visit or small group presentation
1:00 - 1:20 Classroom visit or small group presentation
1:30 - End of day Book signing
Scheduling hints:
Schedule 40 minutes for large group presentations.
Plan at least 15 minutes between large group performances for prep time.
Schedule 20 minutes for classroom visits and small group presentations.
Plan at least 10 minutes between classroom visits and small group presentations for prep time.
As a rule of thumb for book signings, schedule one minute per student who is getting a book signed.
As a teacher, you know how important it is to get children excited about reading. To truly instill a passion for reading, students must have books of their own. During my visit, I will generate a great enthusiasm for poetry. The best way to capitalize on that enthusiasm is to get books into the kids' hands.
The series of Moxie Day books is perfect for this. Not only do they contain many of the poems I perform, but they also have comic strips that define various poetic terms. A book signed by an author the child has met is a special treat that will be treasured and may aid in the development of a life-long reader.
Some schools have even teamed up with their state's Humanities or Arts Council or local donors to purchase a book for every student in the school. When schools do this, a tremendous excitement for poetry and reading is generated.
Although you may order from a local book seller, you might find it easier to order directly from Blue Lobster Press. When you order from Blue Lobster Press, you will be dealing directly with me. This means one less person for you to try and coordinate. For books ordered before my visit, your school will receive a 30% discount. You may either pass this savings on to the students, or sell books at full price to help defray the cost of the visit.
Students and teachers will order books from the school. A Student Order Form will be provided for the school to copy and distribute to the students and teachers. The school will then order the books needed from Blue Lobster Press. Payment should be made to Robert in the form of a single check from the school on the day of his visit.
A School Order Form will also be provided. Add up all the student and teacher orders, and use the School Order Form to calculate your totals. It is easiest to e-mail the quantities of each title your school wishes to order to: books@bluelobsterpress.com . You may also mail or phone in your order, but remember, if the books are going to be shipped I must receive all orders at least fifteen days before the date of my visit. If I am driving to your school, I can bring the books with me if you wish.
Dear Teachers,
I am Robert Pottle, author of various children's poetry books. I have written several books of poetry published by Blue Lobster Press. My poetry has also appeared in anthologies by Meadowbrook Press. I'll be visiting your school soon, so this is a great chance to get your students excited about poetry.
As a teacher you have seen how excited students can get about rock bands, video games, and television shows. Wouldn't it be nice if some of that enthusiasm were focused on reading and writing? The more enthusiasm you show your students about the upcoming visit, the more excited they will be on the big day. When a whole school shows its excitement about my visit, what I share with the students really hits home and has a lasting effect long after my visit is over. So, let your students see that you are excited about this visit!
I taught first grade for eleven years, so I realize how limited your time is. That is why a list of activities has been provided. Most of the activities will only take a few minutes to complete, yet they will help to build an excitement for poetry. Some activities will even help to meet other areas of the curriculum, such as geography and public speaking.
So, start the countdown to my visit. Let the students know I'm coming and what I do. Get excited! I look forward to spreading an infectious enthusiasm for poetry throughout your school.
T minus 25 days and counting.
___ Spend the week reading Robert's poems.
The organizer should have a copy of Robert's books. His poetry can also be found on the internet. Take a look at: www.robertpottle.com
T minus 20 days and counting.
___ Have students choose their favorite poems for you to read to the class.
By this time, students should be familiar with Robert's poetry. Some may have favorites by now.
___ Show your students your school's custom-designed Robert Pottle web site.
By this time your school should have a web site about my visit. This page gives a little information about me and my visit to your school. It will also be updated after my visit to your school. Take a look at: www.robertpottle.com/schools/
T minus 15 days and counting.
___ Have one or two students per day recite a poem to the class.
Poetry is a great way to introduce public speaking skills. It is easier to focus on good public speaking skills such as volume, speed, and stage presence when reciting a short rhythmic poem rather than a lengthy speech.
T minus 10 days and counting.
___ Have students illustrate their favorite poems.
These illustrations can be used to decorate the room. Or your class may wish to make a poster to announce Robert's visit to the whole school.
___ Make a display to welcome Robert.
The real purpose is to help generate excitement before the visit. If children see a welcome display every day, it will generate excitement in the classroom and throughout the school. This will translate into an enthusiasm for poetry and reading after my visit. It is also nice to teach students that it is polite to make a guest feel welcome.
T minus 5 days and counting.
___ Learn more about Robert.
A brief biography has been included; this can also be found at Robert's web site. Share the biography with your students. You can make a geography lesson out of the places mentioned in my biography. Or create a time line using the dates.
T minus 1 day and counting.
___ Come up with questions.
Students often have a difficult time coming up with questions unless they have been given some time to think about it. Spend a little time brainstorming a question your class would like to ask.
____ Remind students to bring books.
If students have one of my books at home that they would like signed, please remind them to bring it to school tomorrow.
Lift Off!
___ Discuss appropriate behavior.
Remind your class what type of behavior is expected of them. Please be with your class during Robert's visit to help with any discipline issues.
___ Have students with books print their name on a Post-It note.
If students have books they want to have signed, please have them neatly print the name of who the book is to be signed to on a Post-It note and place the note on the book. This makes book signing go a lot more smoothly.
I was born in Eastport, Maine - the most easterly city in the United States. I went to school at Eastport Elementary School and Shead High School. Although I did enjoy writing in school, I spent much of my time working at the high school's radio and television stations, WSHD.
Starting in the fall of 1989, I attended Ithaca College in Ithaca, NY to study broadcast production. Already, I had an interest in writing for children and worked for the college's television program, Kid's Korner.
After a couple of years at Ithaca College, I decided I wanted to work more directly with children. I transferred to the University of Maine at Farmington to study elementary education and writing. While at UMF, I was very active in the Outing Club. During the summer of 1992, I spent three months hiking on the Appalachian Trail. I started at Springer Mountain, Georgia, and ended in Duncannon, Pennsylvania.
After graduating from UMF in 1993, I was hired as a first grade teacher at Cave Hill School in Eastbrook, Maine. While at Cave Hill School, I met my wife, Diane, who teaches kindergarten there. We now live in Eastbrook and have two llamas - Salvador and Dali - and two old VW buses - The Weeblemobeeble and The Pea Pod. We also have two children.
I had written boring, adult-type poetry for several years. I began seriously writing for children in 1997 while my wife and I drove one of our VWs from Maine to Alaska. It's a very long drive, so I had plenty of time to think.
Perhaps the best advice I can give to people who want to write poetry for children is to read lots of children's poetry and read it out loud. This is a great way to learn the rhythms of poetry. Also memorize some poems by your favorite poet. Shel Silverstein is my favorite poet, and I have memorized many of his poems.
I started the web site Giggle, Giggle, Snicker, Laugh! in May of 2000. The site quickly became very popular. I get e-mailed questions from children and teachers around the world about poetry, and I enjoy answering them.
During the web site's first year, some of the poems became so popular I made a hall of fame for them. Those poems were Embarrassed, The Artist, and Losing. There is, of course, a story behind each of these poems.
In January of 2001, I started Blue Lobster Press so that the fans of Giggle, Giggle, Snicker, Laugh! could enjoy funny poems in book format. My first book MAINE: The Way Life Is was so popular it went into its second printing just four months after it came out. During the summer of 2001, I started performing my poetry at schools, festivals, and libraries. I had a lot of fun doing this and continue to perform every chance I get.
My second book MOXIE DAY and Family was published in the fall of 2002. It has over sixty poems, including Embarrassed and The Artist, plus fifteen pages of comic strips. I enjoyed writing it and hope you get a chance to enjoy reading it.
Meadowbrook Press has also published some of my poems in their poetry anthologies. I am proud to see my poems published alongside such poets as Jack Prelutsky and Shel Silverstein in these books. My latest books are MOXIE DAY the Prankster (October 2004) and MAINE: The Way Wildlife Should Be (Spring 2005).
I look forward to visiting your school. You'll get to hear some of your favorite poems from my books and perhaps some new not-yet-published poems.
Keep Giggling,
Robert Pottle
