Mariana Llanos

This is a FREE lesson! On this lesson, I'll read Tristan Wolf to your students. After the story, we'll talk about writing, I'll tell them what is the 'anatomy of a writer' and I'll share a few tips with them. I'll focus on editing, revisions and the importance of reading. If you agree, I'll ask them to write a paragraph in the style of Tristan Wolf.

Best suited for 2nd through 5th grade

Available in Spanish: Tristan Lobo

Things to do before visit: You may prepare questions ahead of time. Let your school know I'm visiting by posting on your website, blog and of course, sending order forms.

Ideas of things to do after visit: Find out where Peru is (that's where I'm from), and write a short paragraph with their findings. Prepare a short story in the style of Tristan and send it over to me. I'd love to publish a few of those stories on my website. Also, if you have a class blog you may have the kids write reviews.

This is a FREE lesson! On this lesson, I'll read No Birthday for Mara. After the story, we'll talk about emotions, feelings, and the way we feel throughout the day. We'll talk about the six basic emotions and act them out. I'll tell them what it takes to be a writer or 'the parts of a writer'.

Best suited for K through 2nd grade

Available in Spanish: Mara sin Cumpleanos

How to prepare for this visit: Prepare questions ahead of time. You may send me their questions with their name to call them out, if you prefer. Let your school know I'm visiting by posting on your website, blog and of course, sending order forms.

Ideas of things to do after visit: Write paragraph for: "How would you feel if your parents forget your birthday?". Make masks representing the six basic emotions. Have kids make a group project: plan an out-of-this-world surprise party.

This is a FREE lesson! On this lesson, I'll tell your students why I chose Alzheimer's disease as a subject for The Staircase on Pine Street. I'll tell them what I did for my research and why I had to do research for a fiction book. I'll give them ten tips to become a better writer (they're silly!)

Best suited for 4th through 6th grades

How to prepare for this visit: For this lesson you need to read The Staircase on Pine Street PRIOR to my visit. The book is available on Amazon. It's an eight chapter book with 66 pages, too long for me to read on my visit. Have kids make annotations throughout the story and prepare their questions about writing and research.