It all Makes Sense in the End

All GRADES PRE-K   The Power of Observation
Get ready for lots of giggles and movement! I begin by briefly introducing Engel's story with projected illustrations while asking the students to identify the animals depicted in each image as well as the hidden heron. 

PreK-K: 20-30 minutes; PowerPoint; single classes or groups up to 25

​

GRADES 1-3 Character Development

I start by sharing the fun of getting to know more about the creatures in my own backyard. I lead a fun true-and-false exercise about dolphins, alligators, crabs, dragonflies, etc. While summarizing the story of Engel using a PowerPoint presentation, I will stop to share several dramatic readings from the book. 

1st-2nd: 40/45 minutes; Powerpoint; single classes or larger groups of up to 100

​

GRADES 4-5 The Story Behind the Story

Part education, part motivation, and 100% entertaining. The story of Engel. is ideal for this age group. It offers an entertaining venue for students to learn more about our local Charleston history and its surrounding coastal environment. I begin my presentation with a brief explanation of the story's plot while projecting the illustrations included in the book. As the story unfolds, Engel meets some of our favorite citizens like Francis Marion, Eliza Pinkney, and Quash Stevens. Throughout the course of her journey in the Lowcountry, she also visits the barrier islands of coastal South Carolina, where she encounters local wildlife and natural habitats. As you can guess, illustrating the story of Engel presented many interesting challenges. What items would Francis Marion have in his underground camp, what does the inside of a storm drain look like, or what kind of ships sailed in the Charleston harbour in the 1880's? In addition to gathering images online, I will also share my photographs of the rooftops of Charleston from the steeple of Saint Micheal's Church. ​

3rd-5th: 40/45 minutes; Powerpoint; single classes or larger groups of up to 100

 

​