Sibby Falk

Workshops and About the Presenter

Workshops

Using Historical Fiction in the Classroom

Social Studies can come alive for students when it is integrated with literature.  This workshop explores the rich menu of historical fiction for elementary readers and strategies for incorporating these novels into your classroom. Participants will receive a packet of information and activities.

Audience: K-6 teachers

Recommendation: maximum 35 participants

Time Frame: two hours

The Process of Writing

"I LOVED this presentation! ...awesome new ideas!" "Fantastic!"

"Presenter was first rate. Wonderful, energetic and informative. I learned a great deal."

The presenter has had many years of experience inspiring the reluctant writer, as well as challenging the gifted writer. This workshop can be tailored for teachers or students and takes participants through the process of writing including brainstorming, revision, and writing a final copy.

Audience: K-12 teachers and paraprofessionals

Recommendation: maximum 35 participants

Time Frame: two or three hours

Management and Discipline – Inviting Positive Behaviors

When success is expected in a positive and well-structured environment, the rate of learning is increased. This workshop presents the process of developing a ridicule free environment in which the teacher invites and encourages the students to behave and learn in a positive atmosphere. Participants will receive a packet of useful information and strategies.

Audience: K-6 teachers and paraprofessionals

Recommendation: maximum 35 participants

Time Frame: 2 hours

Making Inclusion Work in Your Classroom  

"I wish my niece could have had her as a teacher."

Because of the increasingly diverse make up of today's classrooms, inclusion is becoming more and more prevalent in general education classes.  This workshop presents a variety of ways to incorporate inclusion while maintaining a positive climate in a well-managed classroom.  Topics will include:

• collaboration
• co-teaching
• responsibilities of the general educator
• management and discipline.

Audience: K-6 teachers and paraprofessionals

Recommendation: maximum 35 participants

Time Frame: 2 hours

The Multicultural Classroom

"Wow! She could teach me anything."

"Best workshop I've been to in a very long time."

The workshop presents methods for accepting, supporting and celebrating children from all cultures. Topics include:

• Walking in another's shoes
• Creating a ridicule-free environment
• Using patience, humor, time and hope
• Integrating literature that represents student cultures

Audience: k-12 teachers, paraprofessionals and all school staff

Recommendation: maximum 35 participants

Time Frame: 2 hours

Guest Speaker: Language, Literacy, Literature and Diversity: Creating a Multicultural Classroom

Invite Sibby Falk to present her seminar about Using Historical Fiction to Promote Diversity.

Audience: All school staff

Recommendation: maximum 35 participants

Time Frame: one hour

Author Visit

What is more motivating for students than to meet the author of a book they have read? This workshop can be tailored to your school’s needs and can include a large group presentation of the author’s books and process as well as small group presentations of the writing process.  The titles Freedom's Fire. Council Fire and Lettie's North Star will be discussed and can be made available for purchase.

Audience: 3 - 6 grade students

Time frame: 1 hour (or multiple 1 hour presentations)

Council Fire is a mid-grade historical fiction book about the formation
of the League of Five Nations. It chronicles the transition of the five
Iroquois nations from a culture of raids to a culture of  peace

Sibby Falk

Elizabeth Falk earned her M.S. in Education and taught at the elementary level in Fairport, NY.  She has also worked as a lead teacher and an assistant principal.  Elizabeth is a Christa McAuliffe Fellow for the Home packs program and has won the Crystal Apple Award for excellence in teaching.

She is currently an adjunct professor at SUNY Geneseo in the School of Education working with future teachers in the field of Special Education.

Sibby has presented a variety of workshops at the district, state, and national level.  Her first two children’s books, both historical fiction for mid-grade readers, were released in 2006. 

Freedom's Fire is about the American Revolution and set in and around New York City in 1776.  Lettie's North Star is set in Fairport in 1827 and is about the Underground Railroad, slavery and the Erie Canal. 

Visit her website at elizabethfalkbooks.com

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