{"id":130,"date":"2010-01-26T19:41:21","date_gmt":"2010-01-27T01:41:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/michaelanthonysteele.com\/?page_id=130"},"modified":"2019-09-03T10:11:54","modified_gmt":"2019-09-03T15:11:54","slug":"so-youve-booked-me-for-an-appearance","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/michaelanthonysteele.com\/?page_id=130","title":{"rendered":"So you\u2019ve booked me for an appearance\u2026"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a href=\"http:\/\/michaelanthonysteele.com\/author-visit\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1416\" title=\"montage2\" src=\"http:\/\/michaelanthonysteele.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/01\/montage2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"333\" srcset=\"http:\/\/michaelanthonysteele.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/01\/montage2.jpg 500w, http:\/\/michaelanthonysteele.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/01\/montage2-300x199.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\">Thank you very much for inviting me to your school or library! I want to give the kids the very best experience so I\u2019ve compiled a few helpful hints and resources that should make my presentation go smoothly and squeeze the most out of my visit.<\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><!-- [if !supportEmptyParas]--><!--[endif]--><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><strong><!-- [if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<h2><strong>Scheduling<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\">Please schedule a <strong>FULL HOUR<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: normal;\"> per show when creating the performance schedule. This can include the time it takes for kids to file in and out. I&#8217;ve found that an hour works best so my program doesn\u2019t have to be rushed or cut short. I want to make sure each and every group gets the most out of each and every show!<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><!-- [if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<h2><strong>Grouping<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\">Since I work with <strong>1st through 8th grades<\/strong>, please note I have two versions of my show. One is a bit expanded for the older students. If I had to choose a dividing line between these groups, I would say 3rd grade and up for the older kids. I realize that class scheduling can be difficult but please try to group similar grades together and not, for example, group 1st grade with 5th. When something like this happens, I have to revert to the younger show (to keep the younger grades engaged) and the older students miss out on advanced content.<\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><!-- [if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\">I\u2019ve also found that grouping certain grades together makes for a better audience (and, therefore, a better experience). Grouping 2<sup>nd<\/sup> grade with 1<sup>st<\/sup> seems to reign in the younger kids somewhat. When I get the little ones screaming, it\u2019s hard to get them to stop!<\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><!-- [if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\">On the other hand, grouping 6<sup>th<\/sup> grade with 5<sup>th<\/sup> helps get the older kids excited and more energetic. As you know, 6<sup>th<\/sup> graders are just beginning to be \u201ctoo cool\u201d for some things and the younger grade seems to loosen them up a bit.<\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><!-- [if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\">These groupings certainly aren\u2019t mandatory but just helpful observations I\u2019ve made during my speaking experience.<\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><!-- [if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><!-- [if !supportEmptyParas]--><!--[endif]--><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<h2><strong>Technical Needs<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\">I usually don\u2019t need a PA system (unless in a gym, cafeteria, auditorium, etc.).<\/p>\n<p>I <strong>WILL<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: normal;\"> need a large TV or projector for the multimedia elements of my presentation. I bring my own laptop and use the projector&#8217;s VGA, HDMI, or RCA \u201cline-in\u201d inputs (shown below). This should work for every system but if you feel it won\u2019t, please let me know with plenty of time to make other arrangements.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/michaelanthonysteele.com\/visits\/vga.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-4119\" src=\"http:\/\/michaelanthonysteele.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/01\/HDMI.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"223\" height=\"158\" \/><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><a href=\"http:\/\/michaelanthonysteele.com\/visits\/RCA_plugs.jpg\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/michaelanthonysteele.com\/visits\/RCA_plugs_TM.jpg\" alt=\"RCA Plugs\" width=\"245\" height=\"184\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><!-- [if gte mso 9]><xml> <o :DocumentProperties> <\/o><o :Template>Normal<\/o> <o :Revision>0<\/o> <o :TotalTime>0<\/o> <o :Pages>1<\/o> <o :Words>81<\/o> <o :Characters>467<\/o> <o :Lines>3<\/o> <o :Paragraphs>1<\/o> <o :CharactersWithSpaces>573<\/o> <o :Version>11.773<\/o> <o :OfficeDocumentSettings> <\/o><o :AllowPNG><\/o>  <\/xml>< ![endif]--><!-- [if gte mso 9]><xml> <w :WordDocument> <\/w><w :Zoom>0<\/w> <w :DoNotShowRevisions><\/w> <w :DoNotPrintRevisions><\/w> <w :DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0<\/w> <w :DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0<\/w> <w :UseMarginsForDrawingGridOrigin><\/w> <\/xml>< ![endif]--> <!--StartFragment--><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\">\n<ul>\n<li>\n<h2><strong>SOUND!<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\">\nI&#8217;ll also need audio output for my computer. If the projector doesn\u2019t have speakers of its own, loud computer speakers work in a pinch.<\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><!-- [if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><!-- [if !supportEmptyParas]--><!--[endif]--><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<h2><strong>Water<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\">Please have plenty of bottled water on hand. I tend to go through around a bottle per show.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<h2><strong>Lunch<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\">Please provide lunch during my visit. I&#8217;m not picky; I like everything&#8211;even school lunches are fine!<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<h2><strong>Book Sales and\/or Signings<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\">I don\u2019t profit from the sale of my books, but I\u2019m happy to provide ordering information in case a school or library wishes to purchase bulk amounts. In the past, some schools and PTA\u2019s have resold them for fundraising purposes. Either way, I\u2019m happy to sign as many as you like.<\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\">A PDF of my publishers&#8217; contact information can be downloaded here:<\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><!-- [if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/michaelanthonysteele.com\/visits\/MA_Steele_BOOK_ORDERS.pdf\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Bulk Book Orders PDF<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p><!-- [if gte mso 9]><xml> <o :DocumentProperties> <\/o><o :Template>Normal<\/o> <o :Revision>0<\/o> <o :TotalTime>0<\/o> <o :Pages>1<\/o> <o :Words>28<\/o> <o :Characters>160<\/o> <o :Lines>1<\/o> <o :Paragraphs>1<\/o> <o :CharactersWithSpaces>196<\/o> <o :Version>11.773<\/o> <o :OfficeDocumentSettings> <\/o><o :AllowPNG><\/o>  <\/xml>< ![endif]--><!-- [if gte mso 9]><xml> <w :WordDocument> <\/w><w :Zoom>0<\/w> <w :DoNotShowRevisions><\/w> <w :DoNotPrintRevisions><\/w> <w :DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0<\/w> <w :DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0<\/w> <w :UseMarginsForDrawingGridOrigin><\/w> <\/xml>< ![endif]--><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\">Individual parents and\/or teachers can always purchase books through Amazon (the best place to find the titles that are out of print). I\u2019ve provided Amazon links on each of my book pages here:<\/p>\n<p><!--EndFragment--><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/michaelanthonysteele.com\/?page_id=5\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Single Book Orders<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><!-- [if gte mso 9]><xml> <o :DocumentProperties> <\/o><o :Template>Normal<\/o> <o :Revision>0<\/o> <o :TotalTime>0<\/o> <o :Pages>1<\/o> <o :Words>115<\/o> <o :Characters>658<\/o> <o :Lines>5<\/o> <o :Paragraphs>1<\/o> <o :CharactersWithSpaces>808<\/o> <o :Version>11.773<\/o> <o :OfficeDocumentSettings> <\/o><o :AllowPNG><\/o>  <\/xml>< ![endif]--><!-- [if gte mso 9]><xml> <w :WordDocument> <\/w><w :Zoom>0<\/w> <w :DoNotShowRevisions><\/w> <w :DoNotPrintRevisions><\/w> <w :DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0<\/w> <w :DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0<\/w> <w :UseMarginsForDrawingGridOrigin><\/w> <\/xml>< ![endif]--> <!--StartFragment--><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\">\n<ul>\n<li>\n<h2><strong>Bookmarks<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\">Since I can&#8217;t sign an autograph for <em>ALL<\/em> students, I like to give each school a chance to print out bookmarks with my autograph, website, and message.<\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\">The PDF can be downloaded here:<\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/michaelanthonysteele.com\/visits\/ MA_Steele_Bookmarks.pdf\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Bookmarks PDF<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Thank you very much for inviting me to your school or library! I want to give the kids the very best experience so I\u2019ve compiled a few helpful hints and resources that should make my presentation go smoothly and squeeze the most out of my visit. Scheduling Please schedule a FULL HOUR per show when [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":110,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/michaelanthonysteele.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/130"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/michaelanthonysteele.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/michaelanthonysteele.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/michaelanthonysteele.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/michaelanthonysteele.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=130"}],"version-history":[{"count":15,"href":"http:\/\/michaelanthonysteele.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/130\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5195,"href":"http:\/\/michaelanthonysteele.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/130\/revisions\/5195"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/michaelanthonysteele.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/110"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/michaelanthonysteele.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=130"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}