Nan Forler

Readings

As Bird Child is the story of a small girl who stands up for a classmate who is being bullied, my presentation focuses on the theme of bullying. We begin with some interactive discussion about the role of the bully, the bullied, and the bystander. We focus on the role of the bystander and generate some ideas for actions that students can take. I use my guitar, related picture books, and a power point of the illustrations for the reading. The presentation lasts for approximately 40 minutes. I have shared the message of Bird Child with over 6000 students across Ontario.

I also provide a teacher's guide, with activities around empathy, and standing up to injustice, both in the schoolyard and in the global community, with literacy-based lessons that vary in suitability from K-8. The teacher’s guide can also be downloaded from my website at nanforler.com.

Special Equipment:

Microphone and sound system for large groups, projector for power point

Book Sales:

Yes

Workshops

I am available for writing workshops for all grades. As a teacher, I bring knowledge of curriculum and current literacy practice along with my own experience as a writer of both prose and poetry. I can focus on writing techniques and process, poetry, as featured in my book Winterberries and Appleblossoms, and publishing.

Special Equipment:

Microphone and sound system for larger groups, projector for power point

Book Sales:

Yes

Other Presentations

I am also available for presentations for teachers on using anti-bullying resources in the classroom. I draw on my knowledge as a writer as well as a teacher to provide teachers with information on literacy practices and curriculum connections.

In addition, I have presented the anti-bullying message to parents for family literacy nights.

Biography

Nan Forler has degrees in both music and education, and she has taught junior kindergarten through to grade eight for over twenty years. She lives in Waterloo, Ontario.
As a mother and teacher, she encourages her students and her own children to speak out against injustice, both in the schoolyard and in the global community and this is reflected in her first book, Bird Child.

Bird Child has been nominated for a number of awards, including:
OLA Best Bets Pick for Top 10 Canadian Children’s Book of 2010
2010 Shining Willow Nominee in the Saskatchewan Young Reader’s Choice Awards
Resource Links: The Year’s Best Picture Books 2009
“Our Favourite Books” in Today’s Parent Magazine.

Nan’s second book, Winterberries and Appleblossoms: Reflection and Flavors of a Mennonite Life, tells the story of a young, Old Order Mennonite girl, through a series of narrative poems and paintings, along with seasonal recipes.
Nan has also written for Chirp magazine and for the Scholastic Literacy Place series.