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Newsletter September 2009
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Rooster Morris
PO Box 269
Rockdale, Texas 76567
800-866-2685
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News & Views
September 2009 |
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Secret to Success is Hidden in Everyday Routine
Ever since a little boy in an eastern New Mexico school asked me, "Why read?" I've been on a mission to find true success stories to share with students. Why? Because there's an old saying, "Information tells, but stories sell." Rather than preaching to kids to turn off the television and read, experience tells me that kids are more likely to listen if there is a true story that teaches the lesson in a fashion that they can relate to. After all, kids are humans too, and we humans need all the help we can get when we are changing our habits.
This story is about an illiterate single mom who is raising two boys on her own. The boys are in school and she is working hard to provide a home, food, and clothing. The mom begins to notice that every day when she comes home from work, her two sons are glued to the television. One of her sons, Ben, is failing horribly in school. His classmates are making fun of him. Ben tells his mother, "I don't have an imagination, my mind can't learn." His attitude has gone down the tubes.
In the meantime, the mother takes on another job, cleaning house for an accomplished gentleman who has a huge library in his home. Books, books, and more books are shelved from the floor to the top of the high ceiling. Books are stacked everywhere in the room. As she is dusting, she notices books are stacked in front of his television. There is no way that he could see the screen, and the dust tells her he hasn't seen that screen in a long, long time. As she looks around his beautiful home, she asks him, "Have you read all of these books?"
He answers, "Most of them."
When she goes home from work that night, the mother finds the boys lounging in front of the television, totally absorbed. Without hesitation, she walks over and turns the set off and lays down new rules. "Pick one program for the week. The rest of the time, this TV stays off. Tomorrow you are going to the library and you boys are going to read two books a week and write book reports." As expected, the boys are shocked and dismayed. TWO BOOKS A WEEK? No one could possibly read that much. But the television stays off and the librarian becomes accustomed to seeing the boys every few days.
As reading becomes a daily habit, a change comes over Ben. He and his teacher see his grades start to improve. One day, as Ben is listening to a story being told by his pastor, he actually sees the story in his mind. He DOES have an imagination and it DOES work! All of a sudden, his classmates are watching Ben win the spelling bees and awards for academic accomplishment.
"It was at that moment that I realized I wasn't stupid," he recalled later. All of this happened because he changed his habits.
The secret to our success is hidden in our everyday routine.
Ben fulfills his mother's prediction when he goes on to college at Yale University. He is close to finishing when he has trouble with a chemistry class. He tells his girlfriend, "I am just not getting it. I go to class and listen, but what I hear, I can't remember. I am on the verge of flunking out. I can't do this."
She says, "Well, what can you do?"
"I can read."
Her advice, "Go read your textbook." So he did.
Ben reads and rereads his lessons. The day comes when the course grades are posted. Ben passes with flying colors. His daily routine of reading pays off.
Ben goes on to medical school and becomes a neurosurgery resident. In September of 1987, Carson develops a procedure to separate a pair of seven-month-old German Siamese twins, who are joined at the head. Carson is the lead surgeon on the team that performs the complex procedure. Dr. Ben Carson is considered the top pediatric neurosurgeon in his field.
I often think about Ben Carson and wonder what would have happened if Ben's mother didn't have the backbone to do what she did? But it wasn't just telling her sons to read, she actually learned how to read, too.
Should we assume our children's successful education and bright futures will just happen? Do we have to get involved? Scrutinize their daily routine, as well as our own? Depends on what we want for our kids' future. Ben's mother wanted her sons to have every opportunity in life, and she knew that television wasn't going to give them that.
We can all take a lesson from this true story. So, saddle-up partner, let's make a difference. Take your children to the library, visit bookstores, read together, and let's allow those TV circuits time to cool.
Until next time, your friend in print,
Rooster
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Programs & Schedule
Chat with an Author
Our newest program allows students to chat with Rooster via Instant Messenger. Your students can compile their questions and Rooster will answer them. Sessions are 30 minutes to one hour. Rooster uses Windows Messenger but is willing to use other programs if necessary.
Teacher Workshops
Rooster has developed a workshop just for teachers that includes the teachers writing as a modeling exercise. Rooster has found that when he gives a writing workshop and the teachers write with the students, the students perform better. Teachers have said, "Thank you for the fresh new ideas. I can use them every day!"
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 kids was the inspiration for him to begin writing and how it was kids who helped him overcome his fear of writing.
The reading program includes Rooster performing readings and songs from his books. He will bring the 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.
Rooster performing with students at a school
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 and teachers, alike!
PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE
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September 9, 2009
Calvert ISD
Calvert, Texas
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September 10, 2009
Library Harvest
Education Service Center XI
Fort Worth, Texas
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September 15, 2009
Daulton Elementary
Mansfield, Texas
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September 16, 2009
Cabiness Elementary
Arlington, Texas
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September 24, 2009
Alba-Golden Elementary
Alba, Texas
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September 25, 2009
Staton-Smith Elementary
Whitehouse, Texas
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October 5, 2009
Coffee with the Author
IJustFinished.com
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October 7, 2009
La Luz Elementary
La Luz, New Mexico
Yucca Elementary
Alamogordo, New Mexico
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October 8, 2009
Sacramento Elementary
Alamogordo, New Mexico
Oregon Elementary
Alamogordo, New Mexico
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October 9-11, 2009
Lincoln County Cowboy Symposium
Ruidoso, New Mexico
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October 12, 2009
Southland ISD
Southland, Texas
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October 13, 2009
Paramount Terrace Elementary
Amarillo, Texas
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October 19, 2009
Zia Intermediate School
Artesia, New Mexico
YESO Elementary
Artesia, New Mexico
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October 20, 2009
Yucca Elementary
Roselawn Elementary
Hermosa Elementary
Central Elementary
Artesia, New Mexico
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October 21, 2009
Hagerman Elementary
Hagerman, New Mexico
Dexter Elementary
Dexter, New Mexico
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October 22, 2009
Parkview Elementary
Clovis, New Mexico
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October 23, 2009
Mesa Elementary
Clovis, New Mexico
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November 2-3, 2009
Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts
Amarillo, Texas
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November 4-5, 2009
The Ritz Theater
Wellington, Texas
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November 10, 2009
Daulton Elementary
Mansfield, Texas
Follow-up Writing/Revision Workshop
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November 12, 2009
Crow Elementary
Arlington, Texas
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November 17, 2009
Calvert ISD
Calvert, Texas
Follow-up Writing/Revision Workshop
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January 12, 2010
Bales Intermediate
Friendswood, Texas
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March 2-6
Peoria Schools
Peoria, Arizona
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For more information about Rooster's programs, visit www.laid-back.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:
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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Author Visit on DVD
If your school is unable to host an author visit, consider purchasing Rooster's DVD of one of his live performances. Recorded professionally in Carrollton, Texas, this DVD begins with Rooster telling the story of how he became a writer. He then introduces the characters from his series and includes a reading from The Gate of No Return. Members of the audience help Rooster perform several of the Axle songs.
This hour-long program will bring Rooster and Axle to life for your students! Click here for more information.
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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
"Rooster came to our schools and did a fantastic job! I was very impressed with Rooster Morris's ability to perform for all ages from Kindergarten to eighth grade. The kids were very attentive to his presentation that included silly character voices, songs, musical instruments, and a wonderful reading from one of his books.
After his performance, the kids wanted to know the rest of the story and the library couldn't keep his books on the shelf. We were even able to purchase a classroom set that included a teacher's guide and free Accelerated Reader tests. I think it is great to have an actual author that the kids can meet and make a connection to.
Our school district was very impressed with Rooster's professionalism. He was dressed in a nice suit and it was obvious Rooster took being an example for kids very seriously. He was so kind to the kids, as well. He was able to manage the crowd without ever raising his voice."
Ericka Hamilton
District Librarian
Aubrey, Texas
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"Rooster was at Giddings and was a great success. He had our students laughing, singing, thinking, and having a very good time. He presented to our elementary school, grades K-3, with over 500 students; then did a program for the intermediate school, grades 4-6, with about 400 in attendance. After his Axle Galench program, he visited with some of our 4th grade classes and talked with them about writing. My 4th grade teachers were full of praise and expressed the wish that we had had him before TAKS!
Rooster also did an evening performance for parents and families of our intermediate students. The crowd loved him.
Rooster has a special talent for getting and keeping the attention of his young audience, but beyond that, he relates to those youngsters and is able to get them to respond and really get involved in a critical thinking situation.
I am planning to request to my principal that we have Rooster back this year. Yes, he's that good! "
LaNell French
Giddings Elementary
Giddings, Texas
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"Mr. Morris is funny when he makes sounds and pretends to be all the different characters. I liked the stories and I liked singing with him. I also liked how he gave us strategies for writing and then gave examples. We got to write a story with an author and he read them. It was a fun day."
Darin K
P.S. 54
Staten Island, New York
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"We have had the privilege of having Rooster perform at our Elementary campus on two occasions and both performances have been outstanding. When evaluating performers to come to our District, I look at several factors. Rooster meets all of those factors and more. His professionalism before, during, and after the performances is unsurpassed. His incorporation of the writing workshop program for the older students is a great compliment to our efforts in meeting the various testing programs we are required to participate in by the Texas Education Agency.
Rooster also has the ability, through the various performance avenues he uses, to capture and hold the children's attention during the performances. He is a great reader of students and has the ability to adjust "on the fly" when his sees the children's minds start to wander.
I have highly recommended Rooster to other Districts and hope to have him return to Sunnyvale ISD in the future."
James Cowley
Assistant Superintendent
Sunnyvale, Texas
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"Rooster Morris is amazing! I wish more people knew about what Rooster does for kids. If you want to give your kids a great series and watch them read, read, read, and have fun doing it, buy the Axle books. Rooster opens a whole world of imagination with his voices, music, and stories. The kids here are still talking about the books and performances.
I highly recommend Rooster, his performances, and his books to kids, parents, teachers, librarians, anyone that wants to be involved with a FIVE STAR author!"
Ashley Dawson
Children's Librarian
Hutchinson County Library
Borger, Texas
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"Rooster's program captivated the students! He drew them in with his book and inspired their creativity with the writing workshop!"
Robyn Mitchell
4th Grade Teacher
Mimi Farley Elementary
Boys Ranch, Texas
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"The students were totally enchanted by Rooster's exciting and vivid storytelling. They can't wait to check the books out. The teachers were also very impressed with the program. Everyone said it was great. My principal LOVED it. Next year we would love to have you back again."
Anne Farley
Baker 6th Grade Campus
La Porte, Texas
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"Thank you for picking me to sing with you. That was so much fun! I hope your next book comes out next week. I hope you will go home and work very hard so you can finish the book and get it to us next week."
Omar O.
P.S. 54
Staten Island, New York
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Rooster's Bookshelf
People are always asking what Rooster is reading, so this new feature will include the list of books on his nightstand and his desk.
Home Ranch By Will James
Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls
Eats, Shoots, and Leaves by Lynne Truss
The Basic Writer's Book by Agee Kline
The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
Consumer Reports Magazine
On Writing by Stephen King
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Axle Galench Books
You can buy Axle Galench books from the following companies:
Amazon.com
Axle Publishing Company, Inc.
Baker & Taylor Books
Follett Library Services
LBW Media, Inc.
Perma-Bound Books
Renaissance Learning has A/R tests for both books at their website.
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September is already busy! We are gearing up for a five week tour in October and November. Rooster is currently booking for Spring 2010.
I will tell you a secret... The third book, Axle Galench and the Spin Lizard Rescue, was put on Jody's desk today to go to the copy editor! Stay tuned for the release date.
Your partners in reading,
Rooster Morris and Jody Logsdon
LBW Media, Inc.
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Laid-Back West, Inc. | PO BOX 269 | Rockdale | TX | 76567
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