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Newsletter - June 2009
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Rooster Morris
PO Box 269
Rockdale, Texas 76567
800-866-2685
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News & Views
July 2009 |
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"Without Enthusiasm, a Robot Can Do It Better."
Have you hugged an interpreter today?
In my travels I have worked with various interpreters while doing my reading/storytelling programs for children. I am in awe of these individuals. Their willingness to work so hard for children is touching, and the enthusiasm with which they communicate puts a lump in my throat every time.
This spring I had the privilege of working with six different interpreters in Albuquerque, New Mexico. My stories are fantasy adventures about a little boy on a different planet. Consequently, there are many invented creatures with invented names. The interpreters and their students never missed a beat during the programs, though. In fact, the interpretations were so good, I really had to focus on what I was doing. More than once I caught myself getting so engrossed in the story being told by the interpreters with hand signals, facial expressions, and body language that I nearly forgot my lines! If you know an interpreter, give him or her a well-deserved pat on the back. Interpreters are doing great work.
Have you hugged a librarian or a volunteer who is involved in a summer reading program?
Bless the fine individuals who keep kids reading through the summer months. I've done summer reading programs all over the country. Some libraries have the right stuff to keep kids involved in reading and coming to the library. In my experience, the most important contributors, other than smart parents, are the people who understand the value of investing time, effort, and (here's that word again) enthusiasm when it comes to leading kids into reading.
Have you hugged a school librarian or principal?
I had the privilege of speaking at the League of Women Voters' Annual Meeting in Oklahoma City and was fascinated by what these women are doing. They are working hard to help our representatives in Washington and in our state houses. There is no issue too big or too small for these gals. They are dedicated to their beliefs. It reminded me of several of the schools I was in this year. Principals that are leading under the most difficult circumstances. Librarians that are advocating reading even though they have no budget to do so. Enthusiasm is contagious and it works, too. There is a common thread in schools that are producing learners--good leadership and ENTHUSIASM!
The way things are shaping up, it's time to do more. It's time to become more enthusiastic, because every day is the day to make a difference in a child's life.
Until next time,
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 audience 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 that reluctant readers are reading!
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.
Rooster will perform readings and songs from his books. He will demonstrate how he brings characters to life with voices, music, and sound effects. He will touch on the importance of habits. He will gently encourage 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
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!
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 25, 2009
Genoa Elementary
Pasadena, Texas
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October 9-11, 2009
Lincoln County Cowboy Symposium
Ruidoso, 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 17, 2009
Calvert ISD
Calvert, Texas
Follow-up Writing/Revision Workshop
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January 12, 2010
Bales Intermediate
Friendswood, Texas
Here is a list of locations interested in booking Rooster for this year who need to combine travel expenses with other schools to help reduce
costs:
Birmingham, Alabama
Miami, Florida
Athens, Georgia
Indianapolis, Indiana
Council Bluff, Iowa
Norman, Oklahoma
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Seattle, Washington
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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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
"When Mr. Morris played the fiddle for us, I knew I could do anything if I just put my mind into it."
Bre-Ble M.
Staten Island, New York
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"The kids loved doing all of the activities in the curriculum for The Gate of No Return. They can't wait to start the next book!"
Lisa Reed
Friona Elementary
Friona, Texas
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"I really liked the story you read to us. It was cool. The songs were cool, too! Thank you for coming to our school. I so want to read your books."
Jasmine T.
Vado, New Mexico
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"I loved your show. It was the best assembly we have ever had!"
Shannon R.
Vado, New Mexico
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"We definitely enjoyed Rooster's show. I could tell he was in his element while performing. I like that he promotes literacy in the programs. I highly recommend this program, especially for the 8 to 14 year olds."
Carolyn Wilkinson
Librarian Director
Hutchinson County Library
Borger, Texas
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"Thank you for a great presentation!
I made a CD of the program and I will send it to you later. I put the book to use in my class today. The kids are loving it!"
Clara Lujan
Vado Elementary
Vado, New Mexico
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"Thank you so much for coming to PS 54. I liked your books so much. When you played the fiddle, it was so cool. When Axle got captured, I just keep wondering, "What will happen next?"
Daniel D
Class 3-217
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.
Reflections in Verse By Samual Morris
Cowmen, Cowboys, and Soldiers I've Known by Merle "Tuffy" Skelton
The LS Brand by Dulcie Sullivan
Here Lies the Librarian by Richard Peck
The Tipping Point by Malcomb Gladwell
The Basic Writer's Book by Agee Kline
Eragon by Christopher Paolini
Charlotte's Web by E. B. White
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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We are currently booking dates for the fall and spring semesters of 2009-2010. Call today for pricing and availability.
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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