School Visits, Janet McNaughton
Janet McNaughton is available for visits to high schools,
junior high schools and elementary schools in the St. John's area. You
may apply to the Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council's Visiting Artist Program
for funding. This program runs out of funding well before the end
of the school year and each artist is only allowed a limited number of
visits, so it's best to plan ahead.
Biography
Janet McNaughton was born in Toronto and grew up there, reading
constantly. She began her first novel when she was fourteen. She didn’t finish the
novel, but found she loved doing historical research. When she
graduated from high school, Janet went to York University where she
took creative writing courses. She also sang French folk songs and that led her to study folklore. Janet graduated with her
BA and, in 1979 moved to St. John’s, Newfoundland to study
folklore, completing a Masters degree and eventually, a Ph.D at
Memorial University. Her husband teaches political science at Memorial
University and they have one daughter, Elizabeth.
Today, Janet is a full time writer whose
children’s book have been translated into many languages and won
many awards. Her novels Catch Me Once, Catch Me Twice, Make or Break Spring, To Dance at the Palais Royale and The Secret Under My Skin have been used extensively in the junior high curriculum in Newfoundland and Labrador. Her latest novel, Dragon Seer, is a fantasy set in 8th century Orkney. She has also written one picture book, Brave Jack and the Unicorn, and a junior novel, The Saltbox Sweater.
School Visits
Book
talks may be combined with writing workshops in a single visit.
Book Talks
Kindergarten to Grade 5 Brave Jack and the Unicorn. This
includes a dramatic reading of the story, a chat about of the role of
story tellling in Newfoundland's past, a look at how picture books are
made with question and answer. The length of this type of session depends on the age, generally half an hour to 45 minutes.
Grades 4 and 5 The Saltbox Sweater.
This talk includes a short reading from the book, a chat about of the
Moritorium, a look at the writing process with question and answer.
Sessions may range from 45 minutes to an hour.
Grades 7, 8 and 9 Any of the young adult novels. These sessions include a talk about the ideas behind
the book, a short reading, a discussion of the writing process with
time for question and answer. Power Point slides may be used if equipment is available. These sessions are
usually a period in length.
Creative Writing Workshops
Workshops may be given to whole classes, or a selected group of
interested students. Workshop topics include character development and
point of view, poetry writing, and revision of existing work.
Janet has taught creative writing to students from grades six to
twelve, as well as adults and often works with students who have no
interest in writing and are reluctant readers. Janet has also taught
teachers how to teach creative writing through Mount Saint Vincent's
graduate program in Literacy Education.
Particulars
Class-sized groups work well for book talks. Janet can speak to any size
group, but requires a sound system for larger groups as her voice is
not loud. If power point equipment is available, visuals may be used for book talks. These
include photos of actual places used as settings in a book, photos that
explain where an idea came from, and photos that show details of
the characters' lives and culture. Writing workshops should be given in a
room with a blackboard, whiteboard or flip chart, in groups small
enough to allow students to share some of what they have written.
Janet McNaughton has given book talks in British Columbia, Alberta,
Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and
Labrador. She has taught creative writing in Saskatchewan, Ontario,
Quebec, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland. Janet has also presented her
work to adult audiences in Glasgow, Scotland, Fredericton, New
Brunswick, and Montreal.
To contact Janet about a possible school visit you can e-mail her.