I can tailor an event to fit with your curriculum or class topics. Here are examples of what I currently offer:
ALL-SCHOOL ASSEMBLIES
After a noisy introduction, I use my own story to explain how and why story-telling is in our DNA, and why anyone can do it. Expect silliness.
Author talks can last 25-45 minutes, to include a reading and Q&A session.
SPARK-A-STORY WORKSHOP KS2
"I just can't think of anything to write."
The aim of this workshop is to illustrate how easy it is to come up with story ideas. And there's no such thing as 'no imagination'.
After a short talk I'll get them building story-lines and creating characters from thin air. We talk, we draw, we write and we create! This is a light-hearted approach to story creation, but children will come away with lots of tools in their mind-sheds, armed and ready for their next piece of Creative Writing homework!
Workshops can last 45 - 90 minutes. Reading and Q&A optional.
WORLD-BUILDING WORKSHOP years 5, 6, 7 "How do I make my story come alive?"
Well, first of all you need to build your world or worlds - it's the scenery against which your story will play out. And sometimes the scenery is just as important to the story as the characters.
In this workshop we're going to play some games and complete written exercises to bring the background to the front, and breathe life into the world you're creating.
Workshops can last 45 - 90 minutes. Reading and Q&A optional.
CHARACTER WORKSHOP years 5, 6, 7, 8
"It's about a boy who saves the world."
And? ... Would we care about a story if we felt nothing for the characters in it? Probably not. Good, bad, kind, selfish, wicked or vulnerable, most characters are complex - a mix of many things - and the more three-dimensional you can make them, the better.
Just like stories, characters need a starting point, a moment in the middle, and a satisfying end. Whether your character is an animal, item or personality, we'll take a look at the journey it must embark on to drive your story forward.
We'll be building characters: creating back-stories and up-to-date profiles, stress-testing them with exercises and teasing them with games... And by the time we're finished, we should know exactly who we're dealing with!
Workshops can last 45 - 90 minutes. Reading and Q&A optional.
SPAG IS FUNNY! (spelling & grammar) years 5 & 6
This brand new workshop was built on the back of writing The Daily Joker. SPAG is the cornerstone of every joke, so what better way to encourage kids to learn it than joke-creation?
This educational workshop is a lot of fun. Kids will be writing their own jokes using the basic rules of SPAG, with plenty of tips and tricks to keep it fresh in their minds.
The workshop is 90 minutes, but it can be tailored to shorter timings if necessary.
PLANNING A VISIT
I will fit as many talks or workshops as you require into a given time, although the longer the workshop the more the children will get out of it. Four one-hour workshops a day is standard, but I will work around requests for more or less. Some schools ask me to do an author talk assembly, followed by four workshops, which works well.
MATERIALS
For talks I usually require a laptop-powered projector screen. And for workshops I need a screen plus access to a whiteboard or a flipchart. Children will need large pieces of paper and pens.
*if you don't have these items, I can work around it or bring my own, given enough notice.
HOW MUCH?
I do charge for talks and workshops, but rates are super dooper reasonable. There is no fixed rate as it is dependent on time and distance. I'm happy to discuss over the phone any special requests or information that might affect pricing, or I can supply a quote.
If you email me an idea of what you are looking for, along with details of your school and location, I'll respond within 12hrs (approx) with a quote and a suggested plan for the day.
"The assembly was a huge hit and children and staff are still buzzing about it. The workshops were fantastic too. I hope you don't mind if I recommend you to other schools!" Paragon School, Bath
“The children are still talking about the visit from Rachel weeks later. The children were truly inspired by Rachel and there was a real sense of awe and wonder around her visit.” T.Hinkley, Interim Head Woodthorne Primary School, Wolverhampton
"What a wonderfully inspirational afternoon for our KS2 pupils, but don't take my word for it; this is what one of our Year 5 pupils said: "Rachel Delahaye was the best author visits ever - it was very exciting! Rachel didn't just tell us how important books are, she released our inner story tellers." I don't think I could put it any better myself! Miss Cleveland, HLTA & School Librarian Cannon Park Primary School, Coventry
The children are still buzzing - many of them went away over the weekend and wrote up stories which emerged from the sessions with you. Here are some quotes from Year 5 : "Thank you for coming - you inspired us to write stories." "You gave us lots of ideas and we thought you were really funny!" "I can't wait to read your new book, The Glove of Death!" Cirencester Primary School
Rachel's visit was entertaining and inspiring. Our key stage two pupils loved hearing about her stories and how her ideas evolve. She taught them how to create funny and exciting stories from random starting points. A few children started the day as 'aliens' (non readers/writers) and ended the day bursting with ideas! Cumnor Primary School, Oxon
The pupils' feedback: 'exciting to do a workshop with'; 'fun and inspiring'; 'really thought about what she taught us'; 'she made me understand how to write a story'. So, I think you could call them 'happy customers'! Wells Cathedral School
You were excellent, as many of the teachers have told me. "Inspirational" to quote one, "pitched just right" said another. St John's Primary School, Bath