SNEED'S SCHOOL VISIT PAGE
 
A FEW COMMENTS FROM TEACHERS AND LIBRARIANS

• "Wow! You knocked the socks off Callaway's students and faculty! They loved your presentations and said you were wonderful." ­Kristy Cossett, Media Specialist, Callaway Elementary School, Panama City, FL
• "Thank you very much for being our 'guest author' this year. I can pretty well sum up the feelings around here as 'the best guest author we have had' (from the teachers) and 'totally cool, awesome, great, fun' (from the kids). We hope you can come back sometime!" -Jan Madison, PTA President, Lewis & Clark School, Missoula, MT
• "Again, thank you so much for coming to our school. I have had nothing but good remarks about your presentations. Both students and teachers were excited and enjoyed the assemblies. We will be glad to recommend you to other schools." -Donna Connell, Sunrise Elementary, Verdale, WA
• "Thank you very much for participating in our conference and visiting schools in Colorado. You did a great job in schoolsŠ It has been enjoyable working with you. You are a professional." -Frank Van De Hey, Colorado Council of International Reading Association.
• "What a wonderful day! I feel I've made a new friend and had the pleasure to spend time with a talented author‹and nice people! Thank you so much for giving of your time and talents for these kids! They loved you! What an adventure! ANY Time!" -Kris Flynn, San Diego County Office of Education.
• "Thank you so much for your recent visit to Fall River Elementary School. We all enjoyed your presentations very much. The younger students are still talking about tuataras! The teachers all agree that you were our best visiting author!" -Barbara Robbins, Reading Specialist, Fall River Elementary, Fall River, CA

SNEED's SCHOOL PHILOSOPHY
My school presentations focus on teaching children about the natural world in fun and stimulating ways. Even with large groups I try to make the talks interactive and get kids to think as well as observe. The talks are entertaining, employing humor, color slides and other visuals. An added bonus to my talks is that they cover reading, writing, and science so you get triple-duty out of me!

A day in a school depends on your needs, but usually consists of three full presentations plus book signing. My presentations run about 45-50 minutes including questions and answers and I like to start early in the day when students are fresh. I speak to all ages and offer different presentations for different age groups. Group sizes of up to 250 are no problem, so I can usually cover an entire elementary or middle school in a day.

FEES AND EXPENSES

As far as fees, I charge based on how many presentations you require in a day and how many days I am asked to speak in an area, the more days, the cheaper my rates. If, for example, you invite me for at least three days of school visits, I currently would charge $1,200/day plus expenses for 3 presentations/day and $1,600/day for four presentations/day. If, however, you need me for a single day and I have to fly to get there, I would charge $1,600/day for 3 or 4 presentations. I offer discounts for schools I can drive to and schools within Montana and northern Idaho. Don't hesitate to call to get a precise quote: (406)721-2783.

DESCRIPTIONS OF SCHOOL PRESENTATIONS, 2007-2008

Rep-tales. This talk is mostly for younger kids, Grades K-2. Its purpose is to have FUN while reinforcing basic concepts about reptiles. After reviewing the five basic groups of reptiles, I discuss three of them using my books and particularly gruesome and exciting experiences I've had. Specific topics include snakes, geckos, and tuataras. Myths will be shattered, hearts will be pumped, and stomachs churned!

Writing in the Clouds: A Visit to a Tropical Cloud Forest.
This talk explores where writing ideas come from. Like all my presentations, this one is highly interactive, inducing kids to think for themselves and view themselves as writers. After brainstorming on writing ideas, I take kids on a visit to Costa Rica's Monteverde Cloud Forest. Kids learn about cloud forest ecology and afterward, come up with their own ideas for writing books and stories. The talk closes by reinforcing the value in observation and appreciation of our earth, whether in Costa Rica or the local school yard. Grades 2-5.

Writing at the Bottom of the Sea 
This presentation shares with children the influences that have shaped me as a writer and then focuses on how I do the research for my books. To illustrate the process, I take children on my recent research expedition diving in the Johnson Sea Link submarine off the Bahama Islands. In a dramatic slide presentation, I introduce kids to life far below the ocean surface, focusing on bioluminescent creatures‹animals that make their own light. I also contrast life on earth with ocean life while emphasizing the need to protect our marine resources. Grades 3-12.

The Reality of Writing Children's Books (Appropriate for ALL Audiences)

In this talk, I trace my development as an author from childhood to the present. I’ll especially focus on how early influences shaped my later passions and interests with regard to writing nonfiction. I’ll also talk about the challenges and process of becoming an established author and my transition to writing fiction. I’ll especially focus on newer projects such as Dog Sense; Flash Point; and Shep—Our Most Loyal Dog.