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Fortifying Students' Vocabulary
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Rooster Morris
PO Box 269
Rockdale, Texas 76567
800-866-2685
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News & Views
February 2010
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Developing a Fortified Mind
A few years ago when I began speaking to students about writing, the slippery subject of voice was my focus. When students understand that voice is their ability to express, their next challenge is to possess the words--the vocabulary to express their voice.
The students I have worked with in writing workshops are excited to write--actually writing faster than I would have ever imagined. I see teachers smiling and pantomiming to each other that a reluctant writer is writing voluntarily without being forced or hounded.
When librarians and teachers began asking me for a Writing Revision Workshop, I was nervous about talking to students about the revision process. If critiquing is not approached in a positive manner, with alternative examples, it dampens people's creativity and their willingness to perform. Somewhere, somehow, there is a misconception that real writers do it right the first time. I don't know of any writers that have done it right the first time.
I am also hearing from educators that students are lacking in academic vocabulary. Revision can be difficult and problematic on many levels, especially for children with a deficient vocabulary. Does making bricks without straw ring a bell?
Writers and authors tell us to write with nouns and verbs. Good verbs. Verbs that paint the picture. Verbs that show the story. How do we help students develop a working vocabulary that will be ever-present for them to pull from when they are writing, or better yet, revising?
We must inspire children to read every day. In order for children to perform well in writing, to write with confidence, their mind must first be fortified with a broad vocabulary. Students must develop a healthy, happy, voluntary reading habit--preferably before third or fourth grades.
What is a healthy voluntary reading habit? What is a fortified mind?
When I think back to my years in elementary school, I see a trend. At the three different schools I attended, the few top students, those who made excellent grades and could write fluently--filling up blank pages with seemingly little effort--had one thing in common. When these students finished their assignments, they read library books. They weren't forced to read. They couldn't wait to read. These students carried their library books with them, and read.
It saddens me beyond heartache to hear of school budgets being cut and librarians losing their jobs. Librarians who know how to motivate children into a voluntary reading habit are, without a doubt, a critical component to our children's education.
Lately, I have been in several schools where the librarians are collaborating closely with the teachers to enrich the students' education. It is working! The students love the library, can't wait to check out books, are passing their writing tests, but most importantly, they have a voluntary reading habit and possess an ever-growing vocabulary. Plus, the teachers are more than willing to have the kids utilize the library. They view the library as a integral part of learning!
I was talking with a principal the other day after a writing workshop. He told me that previously he had been a Jr. High Language Arts teacher. He spoke of reading to his class and how much they enjoyed it. His goal was to promote the joy of reading. At another school, a mom told me how her kids read all the time--they have a library at home and she spends all her extra money on books. Still, she can't buy enough books to keep up with her kids' reading!
It is powerfully evident that children have better learning opportunities when teachers, librarians, and parents work together toward nurturing and fortifying young minds.
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 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 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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February 1, 2010
Mary Moore Elementary
Arlington, Texas
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February 2, 2010
Eagle Mountain Elementary
Fort Worth, Texas
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February 5, 2010
Roosevelt Elementary
Norman, Oklahoma
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February 6, 2010
Southwest Regional IRA Convention
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
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February 16, 2010
Hector P. Garcia Elementary
Temple, Texas
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February 24, 2010
Helotes Elementary
Helotes, Texas
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February 25, 2010
Blattman Elementary
San Antonio, Texas
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February 26, 2010
Awe Elementary
San Antonio, Texas
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March 12, 2010
Mary Michael Elementary
San Antonio, Texas
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April 7-9, 2010
New Mexico Library Association Conference
Albuquerque, New Mexico
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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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May 21, 2010
El Paso 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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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
U. S. News & World Report Magazine
Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo
The Magical Ms. Plum by Bonny Becker
Israel's Tribes Today by Stephen M. Collins
Barbarians at the Gate by Bryan Burrough and John Helyar
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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 really made an impact on our students. We took some class time yesterday to discuss things they learned from Rooster's program & workshop. It impressed the students that Albert Einstein said their parents should read them fairy tales!
I am so thankful that Rooster worked with my students on writing! I think it's great for them to get instruction from someone other than me. The kids are excited about writing now. They liked seeing a new way to get started with their ideas, and it was refreshing for me to see, as well."
Emily Bennett
4th Grade Writing Teacher
Eagle Mountain Elementary
Fort Worth, Texas
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"Rooster Morris entertained students at the Honey Grove Elementary this week
and they would like for him to be here
everyday!
Rooster presented an hour long performance featuring the adventures of Axle Galench, the main character in his fantasy books. He later taught writing skills to the 3rd and 4th grade students. There was not one student that said they didn't know what to write when they were instructed to begin their stories.
It was an excellent day for students and teachers!"
Beverly Herriage
District Librarian
Honey Grove ISD
Honey Grove, Texas
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"Rooster was terrific today! He is an amazing talent---funny, witty, entertaining, perceptive---such a great role model!"
Carol Martin
District Librarian
Bullard ISD
Bullard, Texas
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"Rooster's visit is still being talked about! The kids sing his songs and the teachers are still raving about his performance and loved the writing workshop.
The principal told me it was a great day and he was very pleased. (He was a little concerned about the gym presentation - but Rooster's program engaged all of the students!)
I, too, really enjoyed the visit! Thank you for such a great day and encouraging the students to read and write.
I should have bought more books. What was I thinking?! The kids are asking for his books everyday and I can't keep the ones I have on the shelves. I can't wait to have Rooster out again next year."
Laura Trellue
Media Specialist
Bales Intermediate
Friendswood, Texas
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"Rooster Morris's visit to our school was rewarding and entertaining. More than one teacher said his presentation was 'fabulous!' His vocal effects and interactive format captured and held the students' attention from the beginning to the end of his one-hour program. Our students thoroughly enjoyed laughing, singing, and listening to his stories.
Rooster's focus was on reading and writing. During one of his writing workshops, one of the fourth grade teachers remarked that she had never thought of the technique he suggested using to build on the students' creativity.
The entire day was a wonderful experience for our students and teachers. Seeing a real author reinforced the idea that they can do anything they want to do, if they try."
Sharon Morgan
Librarian
Crouch Elementary
Arlington, Texas
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"Thank you so much for allowing us to have the opportunity to listen and visit with Rooster.
My students absolutely enjoyed it. All I have to say is, anyone who can capture the attention of Kinder and 1st grade for an hour has to be pretty amazing! And that's what Rooster is!! He really has a way with children and of course the teachers enjoyed it too. He was truly a WOW presenter.
Rooster left quite an impression on my students--now they all want to be authors!"
Teacher
Ikard Elementary
Weatherford, Texas
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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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Rooster has made the corrections to the latest version of the Axle Galench and the Spin Lizard Rescue and now it is off to another copy editor.
With all the schedule changes, Rooster will have time to begin recording the audio book. We still hope to have the book out before spring break!
Jody Logsdon
LBW Media, Inc.
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