Norman Rockwell Museum Educators’ Symposium
Distant Lands:
Literary Fiction in the Classroom
With special guests—The Spiderwick Chronicles illustrator Tony DiTerlizzi and author Holly Black
Saturday, January 27, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Explore creative approaches to bringing literary fiction into the classroom for elementary and middle-grade students during this inspiring day of lectures, workshops, and readings.
Award-winning illustrator Tony DiTerlizzi and Newbery Honor author Holly Black will join us to discuss their collaboration on the popular book series, The Spiderwick Chronicles. Alexis Brown Kennedy, Librarian, and Karen Romeo-Leger, Art Teacher, of Lenox Memorial and Middle School, will offer curriculum perspectives for the classroom; Tim Callahan, Principal of Drury High School in North Adams, MA, will lead a fiction-inspired workshop that will explore creative hands-on approaches to engage students in the classroom. Teachers participating in the symposia will be provided a letter of documentation that enable them to receive 6 professional development points (PDP) for the day and 4 PDP for an extended project or research.
PDPs will be available. $35, $20 members.
To register, please contact Patrick O’Donnell at podonnell@nrm.org or call the Visitor Services Office at 413-931-2221. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Schedule for the Day
10:00 a.m.: Welcome, Introductions, and Refreshments
10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.: The Making of The Spiderwick Chronicles
A gallery walk and talk with Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black, who will discuss their collaborative and creative process.
12:00 p.m. to 1 p.m.: Lunch and Booksigning
(Bring your own lunch, we’ll provide beverages, snacks, and dessert. Books are available in the Museum Store, or bring your own for signing.)
1:00 p.m to 2:15 p.m.: The State of Reading: Art and Fiction in the Classroom
An exploration of literary, art, and library connections for the classroom with Alexis Brown Kennedy, Librarian, and Karen Romeo-Leger, Art Teacher, Lenox Memorial Middle and High School
2:30 p.m. to 3:45 p.m.: Fictional Landscapes: Games and World-Building
Creative, hands-on methods for introducing students to literary fiction with Tim Callahan, Principal, Drury High School. A game designer himself, Tim Callahan will explore aspects of classic and contemporary role-playing games that can be used with students in the classroom to create fictional worlds. This one-hour session will engage participants in world-building activities that can be adapted for use with any grade level.
3:45 p.m. to 4 p.m.: Test Your Knowledge—A Raffle Giveaway and Wrap Up
We look forward to having you with us