Welcome Packet Table of Contents
01 Nice To Meet You! 02 Award Winning Books 03 The Process 04 Types Of Guides 05 Guide Samples 06 Additional Services 08 Frequently Asked Questions 09 Guide Pricing 10 Testimonials 12 Thank You
Welcome Packet Nice To Meet You!
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HELLO & WELCOME, I’m Debbie Gonzales, a lover of children, books, writing, and education. I am an author/educator who cares deeply for kids and their connection to reading and writing. By joining my love for education with my love for writing, I have been able to make Educational Guides for some of the leading authors in the industry! It has been a wonderful experience, so far and I can’t wait to get to work on your guide too, but first, if you don’t mind, I’ll tell you a bit about my background. I’ve been a teacher, a school administrator, an educational consultant, a curriculum designer, a former adjunct professor, and a writing workshop instructor with an amazing Austin organization called Badgerdog Literary Publishing. Many of my years spent in the classroom focused on the Montessori Method of instruction, which incorporates sensory, cross-curricular, manipulative learning experiences. I’ve even taught PBS’s Barney kids in a oneroom off-set! I’ve earned my MFA from the Vermont College of Fine Art in Writing for Children and Young Adults, and am a proud contributor of ReaderKidZ, a website committed to fostering a love of reading for kids ages K-5. New Zealand’s Giltedge Publishing has published several of my early-readers. As an educational consultant I designed countless lessons for students of all ages, correlating each with state academic standards. In short, I know how to assure that your book will connect with kids and the classroom while having a good time doing so! I have found a passion for creating Discussion and Activity Guides for children’s books. My over 35 years in the classroom have given me the experience to know just what an educator needs in a guide...engaging, lively, entertaining, solid content connecting the child with the spirit of the book while meeting the academic rigors of teaching in today’s educational system. Good guides keep your books prominent in the teacher’s mind and alive in the young reader’s heart. I’d love to put your book at the top of the list. How ‘bout you? Let’s get to work! deb
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Welcome Packet Award Winning Books guides are available for any literary style PICTURE BOOKS MIDDLE GRADE CHAPTER BOOKS YOUNG ADULT NON-FICTION POETRY ACADEMIC ANNOTATIONS
Access the SAMPLE EDUCATIONAL GUIDES tab on my website for a complete overview of the amazing titles I’ve had the honor of creating guides for.
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Welcome Packet The Process
A few steps to EXPECT BEFORE & DURING the creation of YOUR GUIDE Getting To Know Eachother In our initial conversation, I will learn more about your book and what type of guide you would like. You’ll receive a brief questionairre via email. This will include details about your book, ideas for your guide, and overall vision. Based on your responses, I will use this opportunity to ask you any further questions. After that I will wait by my mailbox for your book or computer for your book’s pdf file.
Book Reading, Oh my!
I am a passionate reader. Good thing! Typically, I read each book twice before even touching the guide. I read your book once for story, and again for structure, detail, and nuance. The utmost attention is given to each story, character, and guide. Every detail is important to turn out the best guide possible.
Review & Release
Once I’ve completed a draft of your guide, you will have a chance to make revisions. It is very important to be as detailed and thorough as possible during this stage, so we can get your guide into a classroom as soon as possible! (And save yourself some additional revision charges) Once everything is just the way you want it. I’ll finalize the guide, and send you the pdf. Final payment will be due at this time.
Laying a Foundation
Once we’ve discussed what type of guide you’d like: academic, activity, or discussion. We will talk through the project’s scope, talk about photo and illustration usage. At this stage, all details are finalized, prices are agreed upon and a 50% deposit is made. Once your deposit is received, the guide-making process will start.
Guide Creation
Now that I know your characters, story, and setting like old friends. I begin actually making the guide. Each question and activity are carefully thought out to get the most out of, not only your story, but also every student who will be carried through its pages. Each activity is made specifically with teachers in mind. All activities come complete with answer keys, and visual references to make the transition into the classroom seamless.
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Welcome Packet Types Of Guides ACADEMIC GUIDES These guides are perfectly suited for a 4 to 6 week, in-depth study of a middle grade or YA novel. The book is divided into four sections, which can serve as weekly reading assignments. Each section consists of discussion questions pertaining to the topics, themes, and character and/or plot development occurring in each particular section. Each section is complimented by an activity pertaining to the overarching premise of the book. Poetry, geography lessons, foldable crafts, historical timelines, science experiments, and journaling prompts are just a few examples of the types of education activities offered in my Academic Guides. I create these guides with the educator’s needs in mind by formatting the lessons and graphic organizers in a succinct manner. Lesson objectives are aligned with educational standards. Materials needed for the activities are clearly listed. Worksheet printouts are readily available. Needless to say, teachers are busy people. Why not partner with them by offering an academically sound educator’s guide, one offering multiple opportunities to practice the skills being presented in the classroom.
SCIENCE & MATH GUIDES In these guides, the reader is lead to discover answers to their own burning questions. Kids can use this step-bystep Scientific Method to formulate a hypothesis and then generate a plan to prove it. Perhaps, much like my days in the classroom, though some of their experiments might turn out to be busts; they’ll have a grand time scientifically trying them over and over again until they get it right.
DISCUSSION GUIDES Suitable for all genres, Discussion Guides serve to guide understanding of not only the text, but its emotional connection with the reader. They contain interesting, probing, and enlightening questions that get the reader thinking and talking. These guides and be quite short, perhaps ten or so questions long, or can be several pages in length, depending on the needs and intent of the publication. Quite often the questions posed serve as effective writing prompts, leading to a deeper study of a variety of topics. When a reader connects with the story, they are more likely to be led through analysis of all sorts of literary elements. Character motivation can be closely considered. Plot twists can be pointed out. Structure can be scrutinized. Voice and point-of-view can be made visible. In short, Discussion Guides keep kids and teachers talk-talk-talking about a book— an author’s and librarian’s dream.
ACTIVITY GUIDES Activity Guides are a quick explanation about a fun little project to do in a short amount of time. Activity guides serve as the perfect piece of promotional panache. Short. Inexpensive. To the point. Fun. And, many offer games and follow-up lessons that can be aligned with those all empowering academic standards. A one-stop shop, if you ask me.
Welcome Packet Guide Samples
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Welcome Packet Additional Services
In addition to customized teacher guides, I also offer a wide variety of ADDITIONAL services which are available as STAND ALONE SERVICES or as an add-on to your guide. Below is a list of the wide array of project-based services available, all offered with the intent to CONNECT YOUNG READERS WITH LITERATURE created especially for them.
BOOK TRAILER CONSTRUCTION GUIDES
From Conception to presentation, these guides teach story structure like no others!
SCHOOL VISIT COACHING
Standards-aligned, this service is perfect for the author/illustrator who wants to make their mark in the classroom scene.
ALIGN SCHOOL VISIT PRESENTATION
Will align current presentations with academic standards, even add a few project-based bells and whistles, too!
ALIGN PRE-PUBLISHED MANUSCRIPTS
Oftentimes editors request validation regarding how the pre-published manuscript will fir in the academic market.
with academic standards
with academic standards
READERS’ THEATER SCRIPTS
Complete with stage directions, props, posters and tickets for the show!
READING LEVEL ASSESSMENT
A service editors have requested to validate reading level of pre-published manuscripts.
WORKSHOP LEADER
Present hands-on, project-based workshops explaining the ins and outs of academic standards. Participants leave the program with a personally created activity based on their own works-in-progress.
PUBLIC SPEAKER
Inspire and instruct authors and illustrators in the understanding of academic standards and how they can make them work for their own benefit.
SMALL GROUP PROJECT COORDINATOR
Gather a small group together for a full-day workshop of guide-creating fun!
“Debbie Gonzales’ hands-on workshop on creating teacher guides for fiction and nonfiction authors using Common Core standards was one of the most beneficial master classes our region has ever offered. Debbie’s expertise is extensive and her creativity is contagious!” Sue Gallion, SCBWI Kansas regional advisor
Welcome Packet FAQs Why do I need Core Standards in my Teacher Guide?
How long will my Teacher Guide take?
08 Aligning curriculum guides and/or school visit presentation documents with academic standards such as the CCSS, Next Gen Science, or individual state standards demonstrates to educators that you are interested in partnering with them by assisting to prepare students for the rigors of the classroom. Not only are the lessons offered in the guides lively and interesting, the alignment proves that they are academically sound. The ultimate goal of curriculum guides and presentations is that - coupled with the author or illustrator’s enthusiasm for reading, writing, and the arts - a child and their teacher will connect with your books in a lastly and memorable way. I adhere to a three month rule. If I can get the guide there sooner, I will! However, I’ve found planning on three months is a safe bet. If you are in a Educational Guide emergency an expedited guide, you’re in luck. Email debbadee5@gmail.com for more details about pricing and possible timelines.
Are you available for consulting & speaking engagements?
Absolutely! I would love to speak at your event. I have had the opportunity to participate in many amazing events as a speaker and also event organizer for many diverse organizations. If you have any questions about a guide you’ve had made in the past, writing, story development & structure, core curriculum or event & conference planning, please feel free to email or call for a consulting list.
Welcome Packet Guide Pricing
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Listed rates are intended as a conversation starter as we work together to find out the best way to pair your unique book and guide...
ACTIVITY GUIDE
starting at
$325
DISCUSSION GUIDE
starting at
$400
ACADEMIC GUIDE
starting at
$550
BOOK TRAILER GUIDE
starting at
$400
SCHOOL VISIT COACHING
starting at
$350
READERS THEATER SCRIPTS
starting at
$300
Take YOUR GUIDE to the next level! Tailor your guide to compliment your book’s aesthetic using our in-house GRAPHIC DESIGNER. Contact deb for rates regarding GRAPHIC DESIGN, SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS, & CONSULTING SERVICES.
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Welcome Packet Testimonials DON TATE: Author/Illustrator Debbie studied my nonfiction picture book. But she didn’t stop there. Observing the questions and activities provided in the guide, I could tell Debbie did her own research on the subject. Some of the activities even included facts and information not included in my story. This was nice, because as a picture book there was a lot I had to cut. The guide includes some of those lost details. This teacher’s guide is definitely a valuable companion to my book. Teachers are gonna love it!
JANET FOX: Author Deb Gonzales has produced three fantastic Activity Guides for me: the first for a non-fiction middle grade study skills book, and the next two for young adult historical novels. In each case she hit the target, addressing issues of audience, teacher usability, extended knowledge and enrichment, all while making the Guides interesting and just plain fun to use. Her work is first class, and she is a joy to work with.
ANNEMARIE O’BRIEN: Author I give Deb my highest recommendation and would not hesitate to have her create a Teacher Guide for future books. Not only did she carefully read and “get” my story, but she did so ahead of schedule and with a big smile on her face. She was and still remains a huge cheerleader for Lara’s Gift and came up with super ideas for me to use in the classroom during an author visit. Deb is a children’s author’s dream. Not only does she come from many years of teaching, but she also has an MFA in the Writing for Children and Young Adults program at VCFA. If you need a Teacher Guide for your book, do yourself a favor, talk to Deb, tell her what your goals are, and she will walk you through her process and let you know what she can do to help you.
Welcome Packet Testimonials
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P.J. HOOVER: Author I’m not going to lie. When I looked through the CCSS guide Debbie Gonzales prepared for me, I got tears in my eyes. Her attention to detail and her constant dedication to going the extra mile made my guide exceptional. I felt like she had looked into my soul and determined the true theme behind my ideas, a theme I wasn’t even aware existed. I highly recommend Debbie’s work to every author I know.
KELLY BENNETT: Author The first thing I do every time a new picture book goes to print is ask Debbie Gonzales to create a Teaching Guide. I am always amazed and delighted with the imaginative, fun, varied, and—most importantly—easy-tofollow activities she dreams up! Deb utilizes her extensive background as an educator and camp director, to connect my stories with the school curriculum in myriad of ways specifically designed to engage children with varying interests and abilities in grades K-5. And I’m not the only one! Librarians, Teachers, HomeSchooling Parents, Day Care Directors, and even the Educational Marketing Supervisor at my publisher have praised Debbie Gonzales’s Teaching Guides. Additionally, Deb works with me to ensure that my vision for my books is reflected in each guide. In this way elements from my school presentations are reiterated—a “take-away” librarians and teachers really appreciate! Most recently, Deb updated the seven Teaching Guides she had previously created for my books to address the new CORE Curriculum requirements—an effort especially appreciated by educators.
aww shucks, guys.
Welcome Packet Closing
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thank you,
I really appreciate your interest in ordering your own personalized educational guide, and I hope we can work together to create your guide in the very near future! Whatever happens, I wish you all the best with your book (and future books)! I hope to hear from you soon! Sincerely,
Debbie Gonzales MFA - Writing for Children & Young Adults 35 + years direct classroom experience
Welcome Packet Closing To order your Educational Guide or to book deb for a speaking engagement, call 512.426.6050 email debbadee5@gmail.com www.debbiegonzales.com
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debbadee5@gmail.com 512.426.6050