“The
Magical Migration Adventure”
Grades K-3
The
standards based program for early elementary grades is based on
the book Jake and the Migration of the Monarch. Presentations help
students strengthen real life connections between literature, science, and the
arts. Through a discussion of the process of writing a book, an interactive
skit about monarch butterfly migration and a musical story reading, the author
demonstrates creative ways to engage students in reading and writing across
content areas.
Teachers
will receive professional development using enrichment activities to emphasize
writing in all content areas, with a particular emphasis on the arts and
science. For example, the second and third grade teams will particularly enjoy
learning how to engage students by using the Life Cycle Role Play and the
Monarch Migration Game.
Full Day to Week-Long Residencies
Some schools prefer day-long programs
with specific grade levels. For example, the author works with 2nd graders one
day and 4th graders another day. Many plan return visits annually so that these
grade
levels come to anticipate the special author visit and related instructional
activities. Some schools invite the author to spend one day per grade level.
Others prefer a week-long artist in residency program creating an arts
integration program in which each grade level performs for an audience. For
example, the younger students sing Jake's songs; the older students act out the
life cycle of the butterfly, etc. This may involve school wide collaboration
and serve to increase parental involvement by inviting them to a final
performance.
Some
districts prefer sustained professional development opportunities
over the course of the year by hosting the author in the fall, and again in
spring to work with the same students and teachers. Staffs implement the
standards based writing and enrichment opportunities presented by the author in
the fall, and students anticipate the return of the author to examine and
strengthen writing samples and to celebrate their accomplishments.
Crystal O’Connor’s
Books
Dr.
O’Connor’s visits center around her children’s books which received the highest
rating by the National Study of Children’s Literature. The Monarch Publishers
web site and teaching resources received the National Award of Excellence by
Teachers’ Corner. The South Carolina State Department of Education selected
Jake and the Migration of the Monarch for its Reading First Training, and
this book is part of the Anderson Five Curriculum the Fairfield County Schools
Curriculum, the Florence 3 curriculum, the Sumter 17 Curriculum, the Georgetown
County Science Kits, and others. The author’s award winning professional
development and writing programs, and teaching resources are currently part of
the Exemplary Writing Initiative at Heath Springs Elementary in Lancaster
County.
Purchasing Books
Most
districts and schools purchase classroom sets and expect that teachers will
continue with enrichment activities throughout the year. Children also are
given the opportunity to purchase their own copies and to have an autograph and
photo session with the author.
