Mary Morton Cowan, Workshops

Mary Morton Cowan, Children's Author

Writing Workshops (Grades 4 and up)

I like to highlight my workshops to what students are working on in class. Talking with teachers ahead of my visits helps me focus my presentations toward their desired goals.

• Digging Up Stuff. Research! How to find sources for both non-fiction and historical fiction projects, using examples and visuals from my writing. Adaptable to what topics teachers are covering with their students. (40-60 minutes)
Curriculum Content: English Language Arts, Social Studies.

• Writing it Right. Getting specific. Writing and rewriting. Choosing the best words. When to use dialogue vs. description. Explains different points of view. (30-50 minutes)
Curriculum Content: English Language Arts.

• Fiction or Nonfiction? How to write both, and discover their differences. (30-50 minutes)
Curriculum Content: English Language Arts, Social Studies.

• Writing a Report. Getting started. Making factual research come alive. Writing creative opening sentences/paragraphs. (40-60 minutes)
Curriculum Content: English Language Arts.

• Telling Someone's Life Story. Highlights of writing biography and biographical sketches: conducting research, primary/secondary sources, using quotes, creating timelines, etc. (40-60 minutes)
Curriculum Content: English Language Arts, Social Studies.

• Reliving History. Includes vintage photos and other visuals to breathe life into historical writing. May also include two plays, published by Rosen Publishing Group in their book series, Readers' Theater: Exploring History Through Plays. (40-60 minutes)
Curriculum Content: English Language Arts, Social Studies.

• Creating Characters. Uses characterization worksheets to create unique characters. Includes a student activity. (40-60 minutes)
Curriculum Content: English Language Arts.