School and Community Workshops with Dr Sarah Pye
Dr Sarah is an experienced speaker and workshop facilitator who is just as comfortable in front of preschoolers as seniors, and just as accomplished presenting via Zoom as face-to-face! Watch the video below to learn more.
Presentations
Sarah’s presentations align with the Australian curriculum from Prep to Year 7. She tailors her visits for maximum engagement. Don’t see what you need? Just ask!
WHO'S WHO IN THE RAINFOREST
In this engaging session, Sarah Pye and her puppet sidekicks, Pongo, Patrick and Luna, introduce some of the amazing inhabitants of the rainforest, with a multimodal presentation, and read stories from her acclaimed Wildlife Wong book series. (Suitable for ages 5-10).
WRITERS AND SCIENTISTS CREATE MAGIC TOGETHER!
Students learn all about how Dr Sarah Pye met Dr Wong Siew Te, who lives in Malaysia, and why she wanted to write stories about his life. Then, students meet the real-life hero of the Wildlife Wong series virtually, (all the way from the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre in the middle of the jungle). This presentation works best after students have participated in a workshop. (Suitable for ages 8-15).
Hands-on Workshops
Sarah’s workshops align with the Australian curriculum from Prep to Year 7. She tailors her workshops for maximum engagement. Don’t see what you need? Just ask!
WHAT SORT OF ANIMAL AM I?
Sarah Pye and her puppet sidekicks introduce some of the amazing inhabitants of the rainforest using multimodal techniques and read stories from her acclaimed Wildlife Wong book series. Then students get to embrace their ‘inner animal’ and paint or colour an animal mask to take home. They choose between being an orangutan, elephant or sun bear. (Suitable for ages 5-8).
DO ANIMALS GET BORED TOO?
Sarah reads a story from Wildlife Wong and the Sun Bear with the help of Luna, the sun bear puppet which illustrates the importance of keeping captive animals happy and healthy by using enrichments. Then students get to make animal enrichments to take home for their own pet, or to donate to a shelter. (Suitable for ages 8-12).
HOW DO RAINFORESTS WORK?
Sarah reads story from Wildlife Wong and the Fig Wasp which explores rainforest ecology and biodiversity and introduces some of the coolest rainforest animals. They learn about the mighty fig wasp before making their own mini rainforest terrarium to take home. (Suitable for ages 8-12).
AM I AS CLEVER AS AN ORANGUTAN?
First, students listen to story from Wildlife Wong and the Orangutan about the naughty orangutan who stole Wong’s keys which illustrates the importance of opposable thumbs. Then, they go outside and raid the gardener’s green waste pile to try and build an orangutan nest! Pongo the orangutan puppet tries them out for comfort! (Suitable for ages 8-12).
WHO GOES THERE?
Sarah reads a story from Wildlife Wong and Pygmy Elephant and highlights what scientists learn from animal tracks. Then students carve animal footprints from potatoes and stamp them onto a sheet of butcher’s paper to make a unique class/group artwork. (Suitable for ages 8-12).
THE COOLEST ANIMALS YOU NEVER KNEW EXISTED
Did you know some frogs can fly? Or teenage bearded pigs have mohawks? In this workshop, Sarah introduces some amazing rainforest creatures, including many you have probably never heard of! Then participants help recreate a story from Wildlife Wong and the Fig Wasp using puppets! (Suitable for ages 8-12).
NARRATIVE NON-FICTION VS INFORMATION TEXT - WHICH ONE WINS?
Wildlife Wong and the Sun Bear includes both narrative and informational text, making it a perfect resource to explore the differences. In this workshop, participants add a swag of different literary techniques to their toolbox and learn which ones work best with each style. Then they put their skills to the test. (Suitable for ages 9-12).
AM I LIKE A SUN BEAR OR AN ORANGUTAN?
First, students learn about sun bears and orangutans together using the informational text in the Wildlife Wong books. Then, each student is given a measurement chart from either an orangutan or a sun bear. They measure themselves (weight, height, temperature, arm length etc) and fill in the chart to compare themselves to their chosen species. The workshop ends with a lively discussion of the results.
(Suitable for ages 8-12).
SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF!
This workshop begins with introduction to some of the smallest creatures in the rainforest and their importance. It then focuses on how citizen science can help us learn about them. Students then make a quadrat and go outside and learn how it works. They use their phones to take images of their findings and are shown how to upload their images to iNaturalist for help with identification and assist scientists in their work. (Suitable for ages 11-15).
WRITING THE ENVIRONMENT
Scientists aren’t always the best storytellers, and writers aren’t always good at research. But when scientists and storytellers work together, magic happens. Participants in this workshop learn what makes really good environmental story, before connecting with the natural world around them using all their senses. Then, armed with new observation powers and a toolbox of literary devices, they put their skills to the test. (Suitable for ages 11-15).
Looking for Non-School Related Workshops?
Click the button below to learn about workshops and events for adults.
School Workshops Pricing Plan
Contact Sarah directly for more information, or book Sarah for school workshops and speaking engagements easily, promptly and with confidence through Speakers Ink.
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What they say
Our Year 1 teachers were absolutely raving about your presentation and having Pongo the puppet: all age appropriate and the kids were on the edges of their seats! So well done!
Kelly Durham ● Voices on the Coast Literary Festival 2023
Our students were very impressed in the way you were positively impacting the environment through your writing. Getting into how you go about writing your book and planning was fantastic. After you left, many students went back to evaluate their own planning for their stories, which was GREAT! We often talk about the importance of planning and to see an author talk about it was invaluable.
Emily Smith ● Year 5/6 Classroom Teacher
Both our prep and Year 1 class loved your visit yesterday. Your session was engaging, and the kids felt comfortable to ask questions and share their ideas. We loved the mask making — quick and age appropriate.
Sheree Baguley ● Year 1 and Prep Classroom Teacher
Sarah’s presentations were very informative for our students. They really enjoyed the topic, which aligned beautifully with the current units they were studying in both English and HASS. Sarah linked her writing experience to many useful techniques and language features that authors use, which will enhance the student’s writing. A really enjoyable incursion for both students and staff.
Linda Baggs ● Mooloolaba State School
Sarah’s school visit was very informative and engaging. She has some awesome teaching methods and ideas… I wish there was more time!
Teachers ● Montessori International College
Our students loved Sarah’s books and really enjoyed her workshops. They loved learning more about writing and publishing, and were also fascinated by the environmental issues and the endangered animals Sarah has based her books on. Her workshops align closely to many English, Science, HASS and Maths curriculum priorities across all Year levels. Highly recommended!
Deanne Jeffers ● Buderim Mountain State School
Book Sarah for Your School Today!
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Address: 86/7 Grand Parade, Parrerra, QLD, 4575, Australia
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +61 429 962 040
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