What people are saying about Author Crystal Ball
O'Connor's author visits and arts integration program.
"Jake and the
Migration of the Monarch and
the Magical
Migration Adventure"
"THANK YOU! We really enjoyed your visit! This was
one of the best author visits we have ever had. The students talked about the
experience for several weeks. It was also a great lead into our study of the
life cycle of the butterfly. Thanks for bringing a love of science and nature
to young students." Shelly Thompson, Kindergarten Teacher RVES Fort
Mill
"This dynamic duo shares the love of learning and
teaching through enthusiastic talks and school presentations, mesmerizing
students and adults with their 'Musical Migration Adventure.' Their
stunning book as well as their performances, weave literature, the arts,
science, and nature together to create a real South Carolina treasure. The book
and the 'butterfly ladies' already have become school favorites."
-Sally Nuss, Media Specialist, Taylors Elementary
"It was a great pleasure for our students and staff to
have Crystal Ball O’Connor, Ph.D. visit our school and share their book and
exceptional program. We look forward to having Dr. O’Connor visit Wellford Elementary School in the future."
Greg Wood, Principal, Wellford Elementary, Spartanburg
Their school visits and professional development
and school visits are receiving excellent ratings from across the state.
"Last year
Lexington District Five sponsored Carmen Agra Deedy for a visit to four of our
elementary schools. This year we sponsored another special author visit.
Author Crystal Ball O'Connor and illustrator Valerie Bunch Hollinger presented
'Jake and the Migration of the Monarch and the Magical Migration Adventure.'
The book Jake and the Migration of the Monarch is a nonfiction text, beautifully
illustrated and also available in a Spanish translation. A musical CD
accompanies the text.
I encourage you,
too, to bring these professionals to your school district. Their interactive
presentation of the book captures every child in the room. At each of our four
schools, we averaged at least 80 students in the audience. I have never seen
students so engaged.
The students
sang along throughout the presentation, some singing in Spanish at the end;
laughed with glee as the "butterflies" tip-toed among them in search for nectar;
participated with music makers or butterfly streamers; hooked their thumbs for
quiet butterfly flying; shouted out answers when the lead butterfly donned her
antenna with "take a chance"; sat silently during read-alouds in English and
Spanish, captivated by both the readings and the illustrations; asked questions
of the author and illustrator; and learned about milkweed plants, environmental
science, and the migration of the monarchs to Mexico.
Each
presentation lasted approximately 40 minutes. You can view portions of the
"Magical Migration Adventure" by clicking on Leaphart Elementary, Seven Oaks
Elementary, or Riversprings Elementary at
monarchpublishers.com/authorartist/visit.shtml.
Before O'Connor and Hollinger arrived, many of the teachers worked on
pre-reading strategies. For example, some teachers flipped through the book
without any reading and had students develop questions. Other activities
included having students write responses to the text and illustrations; develop
questions on sticky notes ready for the author and illustrator to pull and
answer; create butterfly illustrations; identify the author's purpose; identify
the traits of characterization (yes, even in nonfiction); identify the point of
view and explain why that point of view makes the story work; focus on the
literal and interpretive comprehension thinking questions; make connections with
other books, self, and the world; summarize the text; restate the main ideas in
the story in the correct sequence; list questions based on their experience with
butterflies, migration, and magical moments shared with another; identify the
organizational structure or pattern of the text; and respond creatively to the
text."
Patsy Grimes,
Coordinator of Language Arts, ESOL, and Induction,
School District Five of Lexington and Richland Counties
"You are the best author we've ever had. We learned a lot from you and the
illustrator." Megan, 3rd grader at Riverview Elementary
"Dr. Crystal Ball O'Connor, the author of Jake and the
Migration of the Monarch, visited our school for presentations to all of our
grade levels. Valerie Bunch Hollinger, the illustrator, also collaborated with
Dr. O'Connor to make these presentations a visual delight for the children.
They integrated dance, movement, Spanish, music and reading into their
presentation. The children were invited to take an imaginary migration trip to
Mexico like the Monarch butterfly. All of our thoroughly enjoyed the
presentation. In addition, I received many positive e-mails from the teachers
in our building. I would highly recommend this presentation for any
elementary school." Cindy Epps, Lead Teacher, Orchard Park Elementary
Fort Mill
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"We have been doing author nights with our children for
four years and the Jake and the Migration of the Monarch reading and
program was by far the best! The author and illustrator were wonderful with
the children and kept them involved in the program. Great job!" Cindy
Benton, Wellford Elementary School, Spartanburg
"A great success-- a must see for children of all ages.
The education about monarch migration and conservation was presented in a fun,
interactive way with the children acting out their parts to provide the
butterflies with food, water, and shelter. One of my students later told me her
favorite part was when the 'butterflies' were flying around the audience. 'They
were so funny!'" Jeannie Peak, Bells Crossing, Media Specialist
The author, Crystal Ball O'Connor, would love to visit you at your school. Please send us an email: visit@monarchpublishers.com if you are interested in a visit. We look forward to meeting you!
Click here to get more detailed information about our visits, such as program details, cost, benefits, downloadable handouts.
