PROGRAMS
Kathleen Ernst
Author, Educator, Social Historian
CHILDREN’S PROGRAMS
School Programs
Visit the Teachers‘ FAQ page for detailed information about school visits. I can provide programs for assemblies, and presentations or workshops for individual classrooms.
Author Visits & Book Discussions
Historical Fiction Workshops
Mystery Writing Workshops
"Behind the Scenes" Presentations
"I enjoyed how the presentation brought to life the writing process for my students. The presentation also made history truly come to life for many of my students.”
“As a teacher, I am thrilled to use your work in my classroom to help teach Wisconsin social studies! Thank you for all of your hard work in bringing history alive for my fourth graders!”
“It was a great privilege for the students and teachers to learn firsthand of your discipline and adventures along the road to becoming a published author. To know the person behind your wonderful works is a powerful message for our students.”
Library Programs
I'm happy to do two programs, such as having an American Girl after-school event and an evening slide program aimed at a broader audience.
American Girl Events
These events focus on my American Girl mysteries about Kit, Josefina, Kirsten, and Molly. I bring props and photos to pass around, take-home craft and activity pages, souvenir bookmarks, and prizes.
"Behind the Scenes" Presentations
I can provide slide- illustrated programs for families, writers, and children.
Book Discussions, Reading Programs
I facilitate an interactive discussion about researching, writing, and reading.
Bookstore Programs
Book/Writing Discussions
American Girl Events
I can provide engaging discussions and book-based activities for readers in second grade and up. We won't have a signing, we'll have an event!
"Thank you so much for visiting our store last night and mesmerizing our young audiences and their parents. As people checked out they raved about the program and thanked us for having you to our store. Your visit created a lot of good will in the community."
ADULT PROGRAMS
Keynotes
The Power of Story
An inspirational look at the importance of stories in all of our lives. Appropriate for writers’ gatherings, librarians’ or educators’ meetings, or civic groups.
It’s A Wild Ride
Writing should be a joyful pursuit. The writing industry is anything but. In this motivational talk I share my own journey into publication, including obstacles overcome and the unexpected rewards of the writing life.
Classes
The Building Blocks of Children's Literature
What makes a children’s book memorable? What makes young readers (and editors!) eager to keep reading? Spend a week exploring the building blocks of great juvenile fiction, including characterization, plot, point of view, voice and distance, and description. We’ll discuss diverse examples of successful children’s and young adult literature, and discover specific techniques to develop skills. We’ll also critique participants’ work in an empowering and nurturing environment. This workshop was developed for the UW-Extension's Write-By-The-Lake Retreat. A shorter version was also offered at the Middleton Public Library in 2007.
“Kathleen was excellent! She has incredible critique skills: she can find the good in any work, be encouraging, but still be constructive."
“If there is one retreat or class you're going to take this year--take this one!”
“Kathleen was phenomenal. She was thoughtful and extremely encouraging. What a great resource and journey this week has become.”
“It's impossible to say (even for a writer!) how much I've gained from this week.”
“Outstanding! Kathleen was very in touch with the needs of the students. I give her an A+!”
Writing Into the Past: Writing Historical Fiction
This hands-on, interactive workshop helps anyone interested in writing historical fiction. Topics include an overview of research methods and sources, using artifacts and photographs to develop story ideas, characterization, and plotting. This program was developed for the University of Wisconsin-Extension Division of Continuing Studies, and is ideal for any writers' conference, or high school or college level writing class.
"Very informational and inspirational!"
"Kathleen Ernst takes the participant "beyond the obvious." The program format she uses is an excellent mix of lecture, brief exercises, discussion, and Q&A. Her handout materials are extremely useful. She provides loads of good information. If I get my work published I'll have to credit her! She has a very pleasing style of presentation, too."
"Makes research sound as much fun as the writing. Good job!"
Writers' Retreats
Historical Fiction for Children & Young Adults
Creating historical fiction for young readers has unique challenges and rewards. How do we balance modern sensibilities with period realities? What are the ramifications of fictionalizing real people? This workshop explores our choices, and offers specific strategies for creating historically accurate characters and plots that will satisfy modern kids.
"What a resource Kathleen offers! She answered so many questions of mine without my having to ask, and gave such non-didactic insights on the writing of historical fiction--a real pleasure."
Revision, Re-Visioning
Revision is an essential, but often overlooked, part of creating any story. How does attitude affect the revision process? What is the revision pyramid? What is the last element to revise? This is one of my most popular programs.
“Kathleen's talk on re-visioning was most helpful. I loved her examples from literature and the way she used them to make points and inspire. I came home and dug immediately into my revision of a novel with new energy and excitement about it.”
OR...
Looking for a panelist or speaker? Let me know what you need!
Educators' Conferences, Meetings
From Reader to Writer: Making the Most of Historical Fiction
In addition to helping students gain insight into the past, a good period novel can also provide a model for their own personal exploration of historic people and events. Intended for educators, this interactive session is about researching and writing historical fiction. Learn how easy techniques for research and plotting can be applied in the media center and classroom. In addition to addressing Wisconsin’s Model Academic Standards for Social Studies and Language Arts, these activities can help students develop an appreciation for the values identified in WDPI’s “Teaching Character Education Using Children’s Literature.” Also supports national standards for social studies. First presented at the Wisconsin Educational Media Association Conference.
OR...
Looking for a panelist or speaker? Interested in a specialized teacher training session? Let me know what you need!
To Arrange A Presentation
For more information, or to arrange a presentation, please contact me at 1-608-836-9218 Central US time zone (GMT -6) or via email at k.ernst<at>kathleenernst.com.
Experience
I've been providing programs, workshops, lectures, and other educational experiences for many years. For more information, see my resume. Some of the places where I've taught or appeared are listed below.
Programs for Children & Teens:
Abraham Lincoln Elementary School, Monroe, WI
Austin Public Library, Austin, IN
Bester Elementary School, Hagerstown, MD
Boonsboro Middle School, Boonsboro, MD.
Children's Book & Author Celebration, San Antonio, TX
Colby School District, Colby, WI
Core Knowledge Charter School, Verona, WI
Delta High School, Delta Junction, AK
Delta Junction Elementary School, Delta Junction, AK
Fort Greely Middle School, Delta, AK
Greendale Middle School, Greendale, WI.
Harpers Ferry Junior High School, Harpers Ferry, WV
Hustisford Community Library, Hustisford, WI
Indian Trails Public Library, Wheeling, IL
Kentucky Book Fair, Frankfort, KY
Madeline Island Historical Museum, Madeline Island, WI
Monona Public Library, Monona, WI
Middleton Public Library, Middleton, WI
North Shore Consortium, Gifted and Talented Students, Nicolet High School, Glendale, WI
Oconomowoc School District, Oconomowoc, WI
Pecatonica School, Pecatonica, IL
Pewaukee Public Library, Pewaukee, WI
Pulaski School Disrict, WI
Portage County Public Library, Stevens Point, WI
Rolling Hills Elementary School, Mukwonago, WI
Schaumburg Township District Library, Schaumburg, IL
Scott County Public Library, Scottsburg, IN
Springfield Middle School, Williamsport, MD
St. John's Lutheran School, Jefferson, WV
St. Maria Goretti Parish School, Madison, WI
St. Paul’s Catholic School, Genesee, WI
Shepherd College area schools, Shepherdstown, WV
Southern Kentucky Book Fest, Bowling Green, KY
Swallow School, Hartland, WI
Waukesha Pubic Library, Waukesha, WI
Weston School District, Weston, WI
West Suburban Christian Academy, Waukesha, WI
Whittier Elementary School, Waukesha, WI
Wisconsin Historical Museum, Madison, WI
* And many, many bookstores!
Programs for Adults:
Abraham Lincoln Civil War Round Table, Detroit, MI.
Antietam Campaign Lecture Series, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
Antietam National Battlefield
The Association for State and Local History
Chicago Civil War Round Table, Chicago, IL
Chambersburg Civil War Seminar, Chambersburg, PA
Conference on Women and the Civil War
Dayton Civil War Round Table, Dayton, OH
George W. Lee Civil War Round Table, Howell, MI
Gettysburg National Military Park Women's Symposium, Gettysburg, PA
Kentucky Writers’ Conference
Middleton Public Library, Middleton, WI
Midwest Conference of Civil War Roundtables
Milwaukee Civil War Round Table, Milwaukee, WI
(Milwaukee) Metropolitan School Library Association
The North Carolina Experience, Broadfoots of Wendell
Northern Illinois Civil War Round Table, Arlington Heights, IL
Robert H. McCauley Historical Lecture Series, Washington County Free Library, Hagerstown, MD
Rochester Civil War Round Table, Rochester, MN
Rock County Civil War Round Table, Janesville, WI
Sharpsburg Heritage Festival, Sharpsburg, MD
Sharpsburg Historical Society, Sharpsburg, MD
Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators - WI Chapter
Twin Cities Civil War Round Table, Bloomington, MN
Washington County Free Library, Hagerstown, MD
Waukesha Civil War Club, Waukesha, WI.
Winona Civil War Round Table, Winona, MN
Wisconsin Educational Media Association Conference
Wisconsin Veterans' Museum, Madison, WI
In addition, I've taught at:
AllWriters Workplace & Workshop, Waukesha, WI; Edgewood College, Madison, WI; Mount Mary College, Wauwatosa, WI; University of Wisconsin Dept. of Continuing Studies, Madison, WI;
and been a panelist at:
Association of Living History Farms and Agricultural Museums Conference, Bouchercon, The Great Manhattan Mystery Conclave, Historical Novel Society Conference, Love Is Murder, Malice Domestic, Sleuthfest, and the Women Writing the West Conference.
