[LM_NET] FW: Adopt an Author Program

[Ellen Taylor <ellen.taylor@CMCSS.NET>]

As anyone had any experience with this program? TIA I will post a hit, of
course.
-- 
Ellen Taylor, LMS
Rossview High School
1237 Rossview Road
Clarksville, TN 37043
931.553.2070
email: ellen.taylor@cmcss.net
webmaster: 
http://www.cmcss.net/Schools/schoolwebsites/frontpage.asp?locid=350


------ Forwarded Message
From: Barbara Becker <bbecker24@cox.net>
Date: Thu, 07 Feb 2008 20:17:57 -0700
To: "ellen.taylor@cmcss.net" <ellen.taylor@cmcss.net>
Subject: Adopt an Author Program

My name is Barbara Becker and I am a coordinator at Adopt-An-Author, a FREE
non-profit nationwide reading program achieving unprecedented success in
exciting middle and high school students about reading. The program,
originally started by teachers back in 1999, combines fast-paced,
best-selling thrillers that immediately hook young adults, then adds
interactive websites AND direct contact with our authors to make for a
unique and exciting reading experience that entices even the most reluctant
readers to read. Adopt-An-Author is now being utilized as part of middle and
high school curriculua in over 8,000 schools nationwide, with more
classrooms being added every day.

 

Here's the best part -- it's FREE (paid for by our founder, authors, and
sponsors).

 

I'm contacting you now because we've just received new funding for the
2007-2008 academic year and can accommodate up to 1200 new classrooms.
Again, there's no catch. This is a FREE program, backed by an unmatched
track record of achievement among secondary school students.

 

Here's what we offer:

 

+ A menu of books GUARANTEED to hook teens into reading.

+ FREE curriculum materials for teachers, including tests, quizzes,
vocabulary lists, projects, study guidesŠeverything a teacher needs to make
their lives easier.

+ Interactive websites for each book featuring slideshows, animation, and
educational links.

+ DIRECT CONTACT with our authors via e-mail, classroom Q & As, or visits.

+ Monthly e-mail newsletters that follow up with students long after they
finish the novel.

+ Free classroom poster to teachers who register.

 

WHO IS THE PROGRAM GEARED FOR?

English, language arts, reading, and science teachers, grades 8-12 (though
we have 7th graders, as well). Librarians also love the program.

 

WHAT KIND OF RESULTS CAN I EXPECT?

1. Students will suddenly be excited to read. Why? Our most popular series
of books is MEG, a fictional thriller about Carcharodon megalodon, the
70-foot prehistoric great white shark (expected to be a major motion picture
in 2009). Another is a modern-day thriller about the hunt for the LOCH NESS
MONSTER. Everything is heavily researched in science, but filled with chills
and thrills. Think your students might want to delve into those stories?

 

2. Disciplinary problems decrease, attendance goes up.

 

3. Grades improve...including STATE EXAMS in reading and science!

 

4. Students become more engaged in learning.

 

HOW DO I GET STARTED?

1. Registration is quick, free, and easy. Just go to www.AdoptAnAuthor.com
<http://www.AdoptAnAuthor.com> and follow the simple instructions. Only
registered educators receive answers to tests.

 

2. Select a novel that suits your purpose. The website will detail
everything.

 

3. Peruse the student website at www.MEGsite.com <http://www.MEGsite.com> .
Click on a book cover and read a free chapter excerpt. Surf the site. Check
out WRITING TIPS.

 

DO YOU PROVIDE BOOKS?

Not yet. But these are inexpensive paperbacks, and we have arranged 25% -
55% discounts for our teachers. The info is on the website. And students
often buy their own $6.50 book.

 

STILL NOT CONVINCED?

Each month we receive hundreds of testimonials from teachers, students and
parents gushing positives about the program, which has been called "the #1
program for engaging secondary students in reading." I've enclosed a few
testimonials; more are available on the website.

 
Please feel free to contact us at any time. We are all in this together!

 
Sincerely, 

 
Barbara Becker, Registration Coordinator

561-798-0844 

 

 

Adopt-An-Author Accreditations, Awards, & Endorsements

 

* MEG named #1 book for reluctant readers by Young Adult Library Services
Association

* GOLIATH named finalist for reluctant readers by Young Adult Library
Services Association

* DOMAIN named on 2003-04 Tayshas (Texas) High School Reading List

* All Novels named to Renaissance Accelerated Reading Program

* All Novels named to & Scholastic Aptitude Counts

* Endorsed by Principals in all 50 states.

 

TESTIMONIALS

(more available on www.AdoptAnAuthor.com <http://www.AdoptAnAuthor.com> )

 

Subj: ADOPT_AN_AUTHOR Program

Date: 4/22/01 7:43:10 PM Central Daylight Time

From: clark@netexp.net <clark@netexp.net>

Dear Fellow Teachers,

        I have used the novel MEG for four years with my tenth grade special
education students. The book has its own reputation within my school because
at the start of the school year my new students will ask me when I will
"let" them read it! Many of my students are reluctant readers and have
little interest in books, so trying to find exciting and interesting books
which appeal to them is always a difficult task. MEG certainly gets kids
"hooked" on books. I have not had one students out of the 80 students in the
past four years not love the novel. Attendance goes up and discipline issues
go down during this unit. We research sharks, do a reader's theater, make
dioramas from our favorite scenes, learn a little science, discuss conflict,
analyze characters, communicate with the author through our written letters
(which he answers each one personally), have fun on the interactive web
site, and argue over who gets to update the class on where we left off! The
excitement and enthusiasm is overwhelming while we read this novel. The
satisfaction I feel as a teacher is as exciting as the enjoyment my students
receive from the book. The book was the answer to my "sluggish" curriculum.

__Ellen Clark, Intervention Specialist, Worthington Kilbourne High
School,Columbus, Ohio

 

Subj: Grateful fan

Date: 4/15/06 

From: terdferguson@adelphia.net <terdferguson@adelphia.net>

Hi Steve. Can't begin to tell you how your MEG series has changed my life.
In a nutshell, MEG was the first book I ever read from beginning to end (I
was a "cliff notes" guy in high school). Furthermore, my interest in your
writing style has brought me to read all of your current novels. I read them
on the exercise bike, the beach, and sometimes in bed. If it wasn't for your
books and my newfound desire to read, I may not have had any interest in
finishing college - but I did! I truly believe a large portion of my degree
I owe to you and Jonas. It would be an honor to meet you and have you sign a
book for me, or a signed poster or something.

__Best regards, Tony Ordonez, San Diego

 

Subj: THANK YOU!

Date: 10/11/02 10:14:39 AM Central Daylight Time

From: SalustriN@NBPS.ORG <SalustriN@NBPS.ORG>  (Salustri, Nancy)

Dear Adopt_An_Author:

Steve Alten just spoke to the 6th graders at North Broward Preparatory
Schools. The kids are thrilled at his presentation. I am one of the science
teachers, and I gave them an assignment that I thought would go along with
his presentation. The students had to describe a cataclysmic occurrence that
changes the earth's environment, and describe how one species would adapt to
the changes. I have not seen them so excited about a writing assignment in
ages. I was going to collect it at the end of the period, but so many of
them asked if they could continue to work on it over the weekend _ I
certainly agreed to that! Thank you so much for such an enjoyable
presentation! It meant so much to the kids _ and to the teachers!

__Dr. Nancy C. Salustri, Middle School Science, North Broward Prep.

 

Subj: From a Marine Biology Teacher

Date: 6/13/01 12:28:03 PM Central Daylight Time

From: zoolab@cps.k12.ny.us <zoolab@cps.k12.ny.us>  (Mr. Hank Binger)

Our marine biology class on Long Island (Carle Place High School) as a class
end of the year project made a C. Megalodon mural and did tons of research.
Your book has excited the RESEARCH and INQUISITIVENESS in many a marine bio
student _ THANKS STEVE. You made my job a pleasure.

__Hank Binger, marine biology teacher, Carle Place Senior High School

 

Subj: Kudos!

Date: 2/8/02 2:54:12 PM Central Standard Time

From: rzurich@bdsd.k12.wi.us <rzurich@bdsd.k12.wi.us>  (Ruth Zurich)

Dear Adopt_An_Author,

    When I took you up on your offer to participate in the Author in the
Classroom project last year, I was merely hopeful that you could inspire my
many reluctant readers. Mission accomplished! I assigned students to read a
science fiction book. When I said that the science fiction book needed to be
read by Feb. 18, I heard weeping and gnashing of teeth, wails of "I CAN'T!"
etc. I assigned them to read the first 15 pages of MEG and the first 15
pages of Jurassic Park. Thirty of my 49 seniors chose your book, absolutely
hooked on it from page 1. Most had finished the book within a week's time;
they were disappointed in the ending__they wanted to know what happened to
"that guy." I said, "Well, you'll have to read the sequel, I guess."
"There's a sequel?!!!! I'm buying it tonight. What is it?" So a number of
them will buy Trench and start reading something independent of an
assignment! That will be the first time they've done so they tell me. The
kids in this class are weak readers who have been stymied by the
conventional classics. Let's face it, the language of The Scarlet Letter is
intimidating to say nothing of the themes and moral of the book.

    They are currently engaged in a research report, investigating the
scientific elements underlying the novel. They can research whatever pleases
them as long as it's something connected to the book. They had
questions__what is Alvin? What is the Mariana Trench? Could such a creature
really survive? etc. Go find out! I just thought you'd like one more feather
in your cap! You deserve it for helping me to create life_long readers (I
hope). I've used your book to launch investigations into book reviews,
scientific research, writing skills needed for reports, geography (since
they have to locate a map of the Mariana Islands), etc. It's been
invaluable. Even more valuable, they have NOT complained. Thanks and you
will be hearing from them.

__Ruth Zurich, Brown Deer H. S. __Brown Deer, Wisconsin

 

Subj: Progress Report

Date: 10/15/01 8:28:28 AM Central Daylight Time

From: dochou@bbs.fkchs.sad27.k12.me.us <dochou@bbs.fkchs.sad27.k12.me.us>
(Donald Chouinard)

As I write this letter, my students sit quietly before me reading MEG. I had
set aside this period for a discussion of the events so far (they had to
read to pg. 114), but when I mentioned that, they begged me to allow them to
simply read. In the spirit of Teen Read Week, I agreed. It's remarkable.
They are really enjoying the novel --some have even written to you. We have
reserved the library for our next class period. They will be researching
topics they want to know more about (in relation to Meg). We're going to
make a bulletin board with what they find. Very rewarding teaching
experience. The students are extremely enthusiastic about this!

__Don Chouinard Eng. Teacher, Ft. Kent Community H.S., Ft. Kent, ME.


------ End of Forwarded Message


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