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TEST QUESTIONS, 20111. Weathering and erosion both act on the surface of the earth. In what way are weathering and erosion similar?
A. Both are usually caused by freezing water.
B. Neither changes the earth's surface quickly.
Highlights, 2007
How big is it?Use your body to measure things. How many fingers wide is a glass? How many hands tall is this page? Find other things around your house to measure.
KidMagWriters.com, 2009
Research Takes You Places
1. Spread Out the Map (Understanding the Market)
Research is the key
PB, graphic novels, easy readers, chapter books, MG, YA, crossover Trade vs. Educational Commercial vs. Literary
Series Magazines – Spider, Ask, Highlights, Muse, Boy’s Life, … Nonfiction
Text books, reference, test questions, … Internet and software Teacher’s guides, curriculum, Activity books, …
At first –Read Everything!!!So you can see the whole map!
2. Get Oriented!(Self-Assessment)
Research is the key
What do you love?
What do you hate?
What are you really good at?
What skills do you already possess?
Ask your friends. Ask your spouse. Ask your employers. Ask your kids. Ask yourself.
What is your goal?
3. Select a Route(Consider all the options)
Research is the key
• Magazines
• Find a niche! Christian, science, gifted education, writing for writers, . . .
• Write book reviews, write for blogs, write for free!
• Plan to start small and work up.
Writing isn’t EVERYTHING!
Diversify your revenue streams
4. Train Hard(Study a Magazine or Publisher)
Research is the key
Love your librarian!
Read 100 Things. . .
Do close readings
Study the intended audience. . .
What’s Inside a Rattlesnake’s Rattle?
Garter Snakes
Both
Summertime
When the weather is warm and food
is plentiful, a garter snake grows and
needs to shed. It rubs its chin against a
rock. The old skin splits near the mouth.
Then things get tough. Imagine pulling
off a tight sweater without using your
hands. If a snake can find a stick to hook
the old skin on, that helps. After an hour
of struggling, the snake slithers away in
a clean, new skin.
How often do snakes shed their skin? Corbin age 8A snake’s skin protects it while it slides across rough rocks and bark. Whenever the snake gets too big for its skin, it sheds. The more a snake eats, the more often it will shed. How do snakes shed their skin? 1st and 2nd gradersTo shed, a snake rubs its chin against a stone until the skin splits. The snake slides out of the skin, turning the skin inside out. A new skin has grown underneath.
What’s Inside?
• Includes questions• Only simple sentences• One idea per paragraph• 8 sentences per page• 4 sentences per paragraph• 10 words per sentence• 4 characters per word• 2.0 Grade level
Garter Snakes
• Complex sentences• Includes step by step explanations• 17 sentences per page• 4.2 sentences per paragraph• 12.8 words per sentence• 4.5 characters per word• 6.6 Grade level
Both
No compound sentencesUse simple sentences
Summertime
When the weather is warm and food is plentiful, a
garter snake grows and needs to shed. It rubs its chin
against a rock. The old skin splits near the mouth. Then
things get tough. Imagine pulling off a tight sweater
without using your hands. If a snake can find a stick to
hook the old skin on, that helps. After an hour of
struggling, the snake slithers away in a clean, new skin.
How often do snakes shed their skin? Corbin age 8A snake’s skin protects it while it slides across rough rocks and bark. Whenever the snake gets too big for its skin, it sheds. The more a snake eats, the more often it will shed. How do snakes shed their skin? 1st and 2nd gradersTo shed, a snake rubs its chin against a stone until the skin splits. The snake slides out of the skin, turning the skin inside out. A new skin has grown underneath.
ORIENTEERING
(A writing sample)
Throughout history, people have had to find their way through the wilderness. People
developed maps and magnetic compasses to help them. Today, most people don’t use these tools
in their everyday life. But some people use maps and compasses in an exciting sport –
orienteering.
The Sport
In orienteering, a person races to find points that are marked on a map. These points are
called controls. The racer can use only a map, a compass and their mind.
To win, a person must complete the course accurately in the shortest amount of time. To
be the fastest, they must choose the best route to each control. They need to decide whether to
go on or off the trail. A racer has to read the map to determine whether to go over a hill or
around it. They may even decide to run through a river.
There are many types of orienteering. People can orienteer by mountain bike, car or
even canoe. But, orienteering cross-country by foot is the most common.
The Course
An orienteering course can be over any type of terrain. Some courses are deep in the
forest. Some are on hilly open fields.
The difficulty of a course is determined by the terrain and where the controls are placed.
Beginning courses are easy enough for a young child to complete in a few minutes. An
advanced course might take several hours to run.
Practice,Practice,Practice
And use your critique group!
5. Preparing your Pack(et)
Research is the key
1. Cover Letter2. Resume3. Writing Sample and/or clips
Heather MontgomeryP.O. Box 601
Ardmore, TN 38449 September 24, 2007 tone Press151 Good Counsel Dr.P.O. Box 669Mankato MN 56002 Dear Ms. Olson, I would like to be considered for freelance opportunities with Capstone Press. Enclosed you will find several samples of my writing. My BS in biology grounds me in science and my MS in environmental education ensures my understanding of the learning process. Over twelve years of teaching science and developing curriculum has taught me how to correlate projects with the state and national education standards. My writing credits include both children’s and professional magazines. I’ve sold science informational articles to Science World and Highlights for Children. In my writing, I strive to excite inquisitive minds and set readers off on their own scientific adventure. Professionally, I am reliable, punctual and thorough in my research. My area of interest encompasses both life science and earth science as well as outdoor activities and sports. My passions are entomology and freshwater ecology, but I’ve found that I become excited about any subject on which I conduct in-depth research. Enclosed you will find my resume. I am available for assignments and can be reached at [email protected] or 256-426-5871. Sincerely, Heather L. Montgomery
Business Letter
Professional Intro
Brief bio/skills
Writing Credits/Exp.
Characteristics & Interests
Contact Info
6. Enjoy the Journey(Don’t sit around and
wait)Research is the key
Some research resources Yahoo Groups and Facebook, NFForKids, Google books, www.books.google.com
Amazon Preview www.amazon.comAdvanced Search ww.worldcat.org
Some how-to resourcesLaura Purdie Salas, Writing for the Educational
Market, print or Kindle book: https://mentorsforrent.wordpress.com/ebooks/ed/
Children’s Writer’s Wordbook
Margery Facklam and Peggy Thomas, Anatomy of Nonfiction: Writing True Stories for Children and blog http://anatomyofnonfiction.blogspot.com/
Market Resources
SCBWI conferences, The Book, available to members at
www.SCBWI.org
Writing for the Educational Market – job leads: http://educationwriting.blogspot.com/
Children’s Writers and Illustrators Market
Evelyn B. Christensen’s Educational Markets for Children’s
Writers plus Children’s Magazines http://www.evelynchristensen.com/markets.html plus http://www.evelynchristensen.com/mags.html
