grade 4
program overview
In this creative, fast-paced 1-hour program designed especially for fourth graders, we explore the art of storytelling in the round, and highlight our signature Nelson’s Garden Pen Pal Program. This visit includes a reading of Nelson’s Garden, a sing-a-long to our theme song, a history lesson about the real Nelson McNutt, info on how we wrote our story, how we developed our characters and chose an illustrator. The children will be introduced to the art of storytelling and together we’ll compose a “story in the round.” We’ll lead a class discussion on the importance of getting to know the older people in our lives and what the word “elder” means as we introduce the class to their new Nelson’s Garden Pen Pal. This appearance includes time for Q&A, and distribution of autographed copies of the book and Nelson's Garden Learning Packet for each child to take home. We also provide all materials necessary for the teacher and class to craft and mail their pen pal letters, including pre-stamped and addressed mailers.
10 min
Reading of Nelson's Garden and introduction to our theme song.
20 min
Who was Nelson McNutt?
In this segment, students will touch and see artifacts and pictures as they learn about the life and times of our lead character, Nelson McNutt of Weston, MA. Born in 1899, Nelson lived to be 105 in a rickety old farmhouse he built by hand. On his vast acreage of farmland surrounded by an old stone wall, Nelson’s garden was his pride and joy. The children will learn about his early life on the farm, how the property changed over time, his respect for nature and unique ability to grow just about anything with his green thumb. One of the first residents of Weston to own a car, Nelson loved to collect a great many things including canes, stamps, bibles and old vinyl records. Lucky passersby were invited to sit and chat with Nelson under his giant maple tree.
How we wrote our story, developed our characters and chose our illustrator.
We'll share the true story of how we met Nelson McNutt one summer day standing by his mailbox. Students will learn how we wrote our story years later, developed characters and found an illustrator. Together they’ll examine early sketches by Olivia Bosson and the real-life photos that inspired her beautiful illustrations.
15 min
Next we discuss the art of storytelling and lead students as they compose their own “story in the round.” Here we give students a starting off point/topic and they take turns adding a sentence aloud at a time.
15 min
Class discussion and Q&A:
Why is it so important to get to know the older people in our lives?
What can we learn from their stories?
What does the word elder mean?
Our presentation concludes with the introduction of the class pen pal! Each classroom is assigned their own pen pal to correspond with and ask questions of. Classrooms/teachers are given their own custom packet that explains the assignment and includes all the necessary materials to begin - including stamped and pre-addressed mailers to make it even easier!
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We will distribute autographed copies of the book and provide a Nelson's Garden Learning Packet for each child to take home.
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Appearance fee: $400
*this does not include the cost of books. Please let us know how many students are in your class and if you'd like hardcover or paperback.