frequently asked questions

Q. What schools has Cameron previously worked with?

A. Cameron has run workshops at over 170 schools throughout Australia. Follow the links to see Testimonies from teachers and a full List of Schools.

Q. What steps should we take to prepare a school author visit?

A. There are five key steps you can follow to maximize the impact on the students and the school:

1. Introduce Cameron's books to the students. Without fail, workshops are always most successful when the students are familiar with the books. Reading at least one book in class (5 mins) ensures students are introduced to characters and look forward to meeting the author. Don't leave this to the last minute. Check to see if the library has copies of Cameron's books. If not, you can order school sets and individual books directly: 2009/2010 School Order Form.doc
2. Inform and involve the wider school community. publicise the visit and its benefits for the students. There are colourful activities students can complete before the visit and display in the library or classroom to create an exciting atmosphere. Download an activity kit for each book from the books section of this website or encourage students to visit the Stroogle’s amazing interactive website www.thestroogle.com for a range of resources, activities, information and games. The school may wish to have a pirate dress up day in conjunction with the visit. Prepare in advance important questions that students have for the author.
3. Select the activities you wish to include. Ask for teacher input so that the most relevant sessions are selected for each grade.
4. Organise a timetable. If possible finalise sessions at least a month prior to the visit (earlier for interstate tours). Include class levels, group sizes and the activities chosen. Email this to us and to the teachers involved. Below is a sample timetable:

   Sample School Name
   Timetable for Author Visit – Tuesday 20 May
   Time	Classes	Students	Activity	Location
   9.00am to 10.00am	1A, Prep	48	Junior Session with Colour Activity	1A classroom
   10.00am to 11.00am	2A, 3A	54	Create a Submarine	2A classroom
   11.00am to 11.30am	-	-	MORNING TEA	-
   11.30am to 1.00pm	4A, 5A	59	Pie-Rat Illustration	Library
   1.00pm to 2.00pm	-	-	LUNCH (book signing in library)	Library
   2.00pm to 3.00pm	6A, 7A	59	How a Book is Made- Big Screen Presentation	School Hall

5. Prepare all resources for the day. Each activity lists the materials required for a session. Make sure any handouts have been photocopied and given to the appropriate teachers. Students will often need to bring pencil cases, glue and scissors to a session so ensure class teachers are informed about what they should organise.

Q. Will an author visit simply be a performance where the students sit and watch?

A. Although there are informative presentation activities in the visit, Cameron specialises in hands-on interactive sessions where the students have an opportunity to learn and create. You choose the activities and the level of interaction that will suit your students. Cameron can do engaging presentations to larger groups using powerpoint visuals and sound if a presentation style is desired.

Q. What year levels does Cameron specialise in?

A. The workshops have been designed to include every grade and as such there are a variety of options specifically developed for different age groups and levels of ability. Although Cameron creates junior picture books, he also has the technical expertise to stimulate and motivate the upper grades. Many schools book Cameron each year to cover one particular grade. For some schools this might involve the Year 1s meeting an author for the first time, for others it might be the Year 4s planning their own magazines or the Year 7s learning how to create illustrations using watercolours.

Q. Are the workshops suitable for ESL students?

A. The workshops have been designed to include activities that enable all students and cultures to achieve. Cameron's 'Create a...' activities are particularly good at involving students with English difficulties and have been run at indigenous communities and schools in Asia.

Q. What does an author visit cost?

A. Please see the Dates and Costs page for the rate relevant for your school.

Q. How do schools pay?

A. Cameron charges a flat rate and invoices the school directly rather than charging a cost per student rate. This ensures costs are kept as low as possible. Some schools have a budget for author visits, others ask the students to contribute a small amount. Schools have 30 days to pay the invoice. (Unfortunately due to travel bookings, a $100 cancellation fee per day is applicable for schools who cancel within two months of an organised tour)

Q. How long is each session?

A. Activities range from the minimum times of 30mins to 90mins as listed with each activity (there is also a full day workshop option). As the sessions are hands-on, more time is always better than less time and ensures all students have an opportunity to ask questions and interact with the author. Cameron is happy to work into a lunch break to ensure each group has the time they need for an activity.

Q. How many sessions can be run each day?

A. Four to five interactive sessions can be run per day depending on the activities chosen.

Q. What is the maximum class size?

A. The maximum session size for most hands-on activities is a double class (60 students). Powerpoint presentation sessions can accommodate larger groups depending on the space available.

Q. If we want to include every class, how many days should we book?

A. The following days are a minimum guide and are based on double class session sizes of 60 students:
Schools with 250 students or less = 1 day
Schools with 250- 500 students = 2 days
Schools with 500+ students = 3+ days

Q. Can you recommend particular activities for each class?

A. We always encourage class teachers to have some input in deciding activities that will be most beneficial for their students. Many of the activities link to units covered in class. Cameron's recommendation for stand-alone, illustration based units with the most interactivity and class participation would be:

• Yr 1 and Prep: Junior Session with Colour Activity.
• Yrs 2 to 4: Create a Submarine/Creature/ Shoe Car/ Gnome or Fairy.
• Yrs 5 to 7:Pie-Rat Illustration/ Imaginative illustration

Q. Where can interested students and parents get hold of Cameron's books?

A. The easiest way for students to get books is to purchase signed copies at special prices during the visit. Every school is given this opportunity, and if approved by admin, Cameron will either hand a note to the students for an end of week pick up and delivery, or for regional schools the newsletter can advise students to bring money on the day. If students miss out, they can purchase books and other products from: www.thestroogle.com Most bookstores can also order copies for you if they do not carry stock.

Q. Are the workshops suitable for Christian Schools?

A. Cameron has visited the schools of many religious denominations. His books contain simple, innocent themes such as finding a home, having a warm heart and rescuing your friends. The books are works of fiction containing imaginative characters and workshop activities are designed to encourage creativity. Schools that need to follow extremely strict guidelines on the books their library stocks, may consider their view towards the following classic stories which have connections with Cameron's books or workshop activities:

• 'The Selfish Giant' - Oscar Wilde
• 'The Ugly Duckling' - Hans Christian Anderson
• 'Wind in the Willows' - Kenneth Grahame
• 'The Chronicles of Narnia'- C.S. Lewis
• 'Cinderella'- Charles Perrault
• 'Peter Pan'- J.M. Barrie
• 'Where the Wild Things Are'- Maurice Sendak
• Dr Seuss

Although not mentioned or explored through any workshop activities, Cameron is a practicing Christian and the son of a Lutheran minister. His doctorate research also included Christian art and theology.

Q. Are the workshops suitable for public libraries and galleries?

A. Yes. Cameron often runs workshops at libraries and galleries on weekends or during school holidays. All of the sessions can be used as well as some advanced art and writing activities.