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What Does the Future Hold for Our Children?
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Rooster Morris
PO Box 269
Rockdale, Texas 76567
800-866-2685
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News & Views
March 2010
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Kids Want to Be Creative!
How Can We Help Them?
While visiting an elementary school in San Antonio this month, I listened to the teachers and principal talk about all the different things it takes to motivate students to write. They spoke of journals, workshops, designated daily writing time, prompts, poetry, authors, books, and reading!
I walked away with a sense of awe at everything this particular school is doing to make the writing process a natural part of the students' day. I felt extremely honored to be a part of what that principal considered one of the most important aspects of motivating students. She ended our conversation with, "It takes all of these things to promote writing."
I have thought about this conversation a lot. I'm realizing more and more that any endeavor to teach (especially writing), takes a broad range of materials and activities in order to give our children the education they so rightfully deserve. With all the talk of books being replaced by e-readers, librarians being replaced by Google, and the population growing faster than schools can keep up with makes me wonder, What does the future hold for our children?
So, now I ask you the question that I ask myself everyday, "What can I do to help?" Ten years ago, when I first began my travels to schools, I couldn't bring myself to tell students to turn off the TV and exercise their own imaginations by reading a book, drawing pictures, or writing their own stories, but now I can and I do. I tell every group of students that their daily habits matter. Whatever they spend their time doing will result in them being an expert--whether it is reading, writing, drawing, riding a bike, shooting baskets, or practicing playing the fiddle.
I have a cousin who has worked for years with imprisoned substance abusers and other offenders. She was telling me that when kids are unable to articulate, they turn to destructive behavior. This confirmed what a Crimestoppers representative told me last year in Austin. The majority of young people who are in serious trouble have one thing in common--they cannot read. Habits matter!
When I speak with students after a reading program, the most common question I hear is: Where do you get your ideas? I find this interesting. The kids want to know where my creative thoughts come from. I tell them that their imagination is begging to help them--especially with writing! Ask your imagination a question and write down a list of things you see in your mind. It's simple and it's fun!
Last fall I had the pleasure of participating in a Q & A session with my illustrator, Scott Cummins, and a group of fifth grade students. One student asked Scott how he approaches his illustrations. Scott said the first thing he does when he's preparing to create an illustration is to make a list. He jots down everything he wants to include in the illustration and then he begins drawing.
Scott has been drawing since he was in elementary school. He told the students that he used to practice drawing every day. I also learned that he had a favorite subject when it came to drawing. He liked sharks. He would go to the library and check out books on sharks and go home and practice drawing them. When it came time for him to illustrate the second book in the Axle Galench series, one of the characters he had to draw was a shark. That particular illustration is the kids' favorite and the book's cover! Again, demonstrating to students that practice pays off.
Kids want to be creative. They want to draw, write, create, and communicate! Our challenge is to show students how being creative can be a natural part of their day!
Until next time,
Rooster
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Programs & Schedule
Skype an Author
If your school has Skype capabilities and would like to interview Rooster, email Jody and be the first school to use this new technology! Visit Rooster's Skype An Author page here.
Writing Workshop for Teachers
Rooster has developed a workshop for teachers that focuses on writing and revising. This workshop includes tips and techniques that Rooster has developed after working with elementary students for over ten years. This four- to six-hour workshop covers:
- Why making word lists are important
- How to help students make word lists
- Turn student word lists into personal thesauruses
- How to help students understand dialogue so they can write it
- What is voice?
- Verb-cabulary - Fortifying your Students Vocabulary
- Taming the Revision Beast--Making revision easy
- Writing with the Red Ball
- Building writing confidence in your students
Teachers will have the choice of writing and revising an essay using Rooster's tips and techniques. It will be a day filled with learning and FUN!
Author Visit
The students will see and hear for themselves how Rooster went from being a horse rider to a book writer; from a reluctant reader to a creator of a children's series. Rooster will share how reading to students was the inspiration for him to begin writing and how it was young children who helped him overcome his fear of writing.
The reading program includes Rooster performing readings and songs from his books. He brings his characters to life with incredible voices, music, and sound effects. Rooster interacts with the audience by asking volunteers to help him perform some of the songs from the Axle Galench series. The kids get to share the microphone and perform in character while the audience cheers them on!
Rooster speaks about the importance of habits. He encourages the kids to read and write every day so they can be experts in school. Rooster's program is filled with practical strategies to help students truly Succeed with Reading.
Students performing with Rooster - January 2010
The intriguing and compelling story of Axle Galench becomes a personal experience as the audience enters into the saga of this little boy's journey into the land of Bedlam.
What better way to show your students how much fun reading can be than to watch a published author do just that?
Targeted audience is 1st grade to adult.
Writing Workshop
This 60-minute session helps students with the writing process. Beginning with getting those first great ideas down on paper in list form, to adding dialogue, and then writing an actual essay based on an imaginary event, this workshop gives students skills that will last them a lifetime. Rooster will ask for volunteers to read their stories to the group. This workshop is a GREAT CONFIDENCE BUILDER for students!
PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE
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March 1, 2010
Locke Hill Elementary
San Antonio, Texas
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March 12, 2010
Mary Michael Elementary
San Antonio, Texas
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March 13, 2010
Best Little Cowboy Gathering
LaGrange, Texas
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April 7-9, 2010
New Mexico Library Association Conference
Albuquerque, New Mexico
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April 14-17, 2010
Texas Library Association Conference
San Antonio, Texas
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May 10, 2010
Giddings Elementary
Giddings, Texas
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May 11, 2010
Giddings Intermediate
Giddings, Texas
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May 14, 2010
Valley Hi Elementary
San Antonio, Texas
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May 19, 2010
Socorro ISD
El Paso, Texas
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May 20, 2010
Socorro ISD
El Paso, Texas
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June 16-18, 2010
Fairfax, Virginia Schools
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February 11, 2011
New Mexico Regional IRA Conference
Albuquerque, New Mexico
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September 22, 2010
Daulton Elementary
Mansfield, Texas
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September 23, 2010
Asa Lowe Intermediate School
Mansfield, Texas
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November 17, 2011
Childress Elementary
Childress, Texas
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For more information about Rooster's programs, visit www.roostermorris.com or call 800-866-2685.
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Video & Media
To watch Rooster's videos on YouTube or read articles from newspapers, click on the appropriate link below:
Rooster at an Elementary in Amarillo, Texas
Photos from the Wellington Ritz Theater
To download and read media articles, click here. The articles are listed on the right side of the page. 
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Land of Enchantment Award Nominee
Axle Galench
in Search of Barnsfoggon
has been named to the
New Mexico Land of Enchantment
Award Reading List
for 2009-2010!
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Rooster's Bookshelf
Rooster is currently reading:
Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott
Rightful Places by Amy Auker
Consumer Reports Magazine
The Vitamin D Cure by James E Dowd, M.D.
The Metabolic Plan by Stephen Cherniske
Brain Training by James Harrison and Mike Hobbs
The Bird Care Handbook
U. S. News & World Report Magazine
Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo
Israel's Tribes Today by Stephen M. Collins
Barbarians at the Gate by Bryan Burrough and John Helyar
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Amazon.com
Author Page
Check out Rooster's page at amazon.com. Help us spread the word about Rooster and his books by writing a review!
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TCA Deadlines
Rooster is on the TCA's Touring Roster. This means that schools and libraries can apply for a mini-grant to help cover Rooster's fee and expenses.
For performances occurring:
September 1 - December 14, 2009
the application deadline is August 1, 2009.
December 15 - March 14, 2010,
the application deadline is November 1, 2009.
March 15 - June 14, 2010,
the application deadline is February 1, 2010.
June 15 - August 31, 2010,
the application deadline is May 1, 2010.
There are special funds available for programs hosted in the Rio Grande Valley and in the Midland / Odessa area.
For more information about mini-grants, you can call TCA at 512-463-5535 ext. 0, or call Jody at 800-866-2685, or email jody@laid-back.com.
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Quotes from the Audience
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"Rooster Morris is fabulous! He captivated all of my students' attention with his energy, humor, and vitality. Rooster was able to keep the interest of students ages 3 all the way up to fifth grade, and enlightened each of them!
In his writing workshop, he introduced writing to my students as an exciting art form rather than a mundane chore. Our students are still talking about his visit."
Michael Brinkley
Principal
Honey Grove ISD
Honey Grove, Texas
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"I really enjoyed Mr. Morris' approach with the students. They found him to be down-to-earth and congenial. It was obvious that he is very comfortable with himself, and therefore the students were entertained while learning the importance of reading and writing at the same time.
For many students, writing is hard. Mr. Morris addressed this several times and gave the students many tips of how to get started. I liked that he shared how no one ever told him he could become a writer. And then told the students that they COULD be writers if they wanted to be. I think he inspired many students today!
Rooster Morris is a keeper!"
Donna Gavegan
Blattman Elementary
Vice Principal
San Antonio, Texas
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"The teachers said Rooster's program was terrific and that it really reinforced what they had been teaching. The students had a lot of fun listening and participating!
The writing workshop was a valuable experience. The students thought that making the lists was great, especially the list of silly words. Several of them said that they used the lists when they took the TAKS test."
Cathy Cowan
Principal
Lock HIll Elementary
San Antonio, Texas
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"Rooster Morris' presentation of Axle Galench had the audience spell-bound!
Students were completely engaged for the entire hour, and we loved how he brought the story to life with sounds and voices."
Deanna Omarah
Librarian
Aue Elementary
San Antonio, Texas
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"Our students and staff had a wonderful time listening to Rooster's stories.
Students of all ages were engaged for the entire hour. They love listening to the sound effects and songs.
They were all waiting anxiously to participate in the interactive concert.
Rooster Morris' performance is the best I have seen in my many years in elementary schools!"
4th Grade Teacher
Ikard Elementary
Weatherford, Texas
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"Our day with Rooster was great! The students loved his presentation. They were riveted by all the voices and songs. Rooster makes reading so exciting!
The 4th graders enjoyed his writing presentations.They had fun writing and didn't want the workshops to end!
The students are still talking about his visit and we cannot keep his books in the library!"
Laura Trellue
Librarian
Bales Intermediate
Friendswood, Texas
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Rooster has spent his time at home in the recording studio. He is recording the third book as an audio book and also working on a new music album.
We are currently looking for a publisher to partner with on the publishing of the paperback Axle books. The hardcover edition of the new book will be available soon!
Jody Logsdon
LBW Media, Inc.
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Laid-Back West, Inc. | PO BOX 269 | Rockdale | TX | 76567
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